“It is important to believe in your product and service you offer to the consumer, and that comes with trusting your instincts to sustain and compete efficiently in the industry even during the most testing times.”
Vinay Chandrashekar is the founder of Long Boat Brewing Co., a Viking-themed India’s Biggest Waterfall themed microbrewery recently launched in Bangalore. Drawing inspiration from the rich ale-drinking traditions of the Vikings, Long Boat Brewing Co. offers a unique blend of craft beers and Nordic-inspired cuisine.
In an exclusive chat with Entrepreneurs Today, Vinay reveals,
“We tried to do something unique at Longboat and we have attempted to bring the exclusive Viking culture along with a Scandinavian feel that would rekindle the long-gone days of conquering the seas, silencing the thunder and making merry. With this in mind, we have recreated an authentic Viking theme, starting with an actual Longboat hanging from the ceiling. We have taken pains to curate an extensive array of brews and foods so that Longboat Brewing Company has something for everyone to keep coming back.”
The brewery’s philosophy is rooted in the adventurous spirit of the Vikings, who once braved treacherous seas with nothing but their courage and determination. Long Boat Brewing Co. seeks to capture this boldness with its immersive ambience and high-quality beers that aspire to become a staple alternative to traditional wines and champagnes.
The journey began when Vinay and Girish met over a few beers at a barn, sparking the idea to create a craft beer venture. This led to the formation of a dedicated team, including Vimal, Harish, Bharat and Rasangya, who embarked on this brewing odyssey. Rasagnya brought expertise in selecting the ideal location. Long Boat Brewing Co. now boasts a millennium garden, a 30-foot waterfall—an Indian first—and seating for 1,000 guests, making it a standout destination in Bangalore’s craft beer scene.
With a background in US tax and real estate development, Vinay brings a blend of international experience and project management skills to his entrepreneurial endeavour. Long Boat Brewing Co. aims to offer a distinctive Nordic experience and elevate craft beer to new heights in India.
Each team member has been assigned roles and responsibilities based on their strengths, contributing equally to the organization’s growth.
Vinay Chandrashekar’s Background
Professionally, Vinay has earned recognition in the beer and brewing industry, with his microbrewery being highlighted in Travel & Leisure India Magazine and Brewer World Magazine as a premier destination for craft beer. He is an active member of the NRAI (National Restaurant Association of India) and the CBAI (Craft Brewers Association of India).
Vinay’s commitment to community service is evident through his involvement with Round Table India, where he serves as the Treasurer for the BSRT-96 group. His efforts support Round Table India’s “Freedom Through Education” project, which aims to build classrooms for underprivileged children.
Founding Long Boat Brewing Co.
While working at Ernst & Young and later pursuing an MBA at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Vinay became fascinated by the brewing process through industrial visits to breweries and distilleries in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
This exposure sparked his vision of creating a microbrewery, leading him to return to India with a mission to make Bangalore a craft brewing hub. His goal included boosting local agriculture by sourcing ingredients locally, thus supporting regional farmers.
The brewery, designed to accommodate over 1,000 guests, offers exceptional craft beers and unique culinary experiences, reflecting Vinay’s dedication to crafting a distinctive and immersive brewing experience.
An Edge Over Others
Long Boat Brewing Co. stands out with its distinctive offerings and immersive experience. The brewery features India’s largest 30-foot waterfall, creating a dramatic backdrop for enjoying its craft beers and unique dining options.
The brewery’s beer selection includes innovative brews like the Naught Zero IPA, which eliminates hop bitterness, and seasonal specials such as a Christmas Ale infused with spices and plum cake. Long Boat also offers a range of sours, including a Berliner Weisse with customisable flavours like raspberry or popcorn syrup, and creative seasonal brews like a strawberry cream ale for Valentine’s Day.
Complementing the drinks is a diverse food menu with global options like Nashville Hot Wings and Jamaican Prawns, alongside house-made desserts such as Beeramisu and The Mida’s Touch, a chocolate brownie topped with vanilla ice cream and caramelised sugar.
Long Boat Brewing Co. also prioritises affordability with competitively priced beers, starting at ₹299 for 500 ml. The brewery is pet-friendly and features a private event space. Its distinctive Viking theme includes an actual Longboat hanging from the ceiling, enhancing the immersive experience. Long Boat has quickly gained recognition for its striking decor and quality offerings, earning over 14 awards in its debut year and becoming known as the ‘Most Instagrammable Microbrewery.’
Navigating Challenges
Launching Long Boat Brewing Co. presented significant hurdles, particularly in overcoming stereotypes about the alcohol industry in India and navigating the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Faced with scepticism from a conservative background and shifting consumer preferences towards outdoor spaces, the project required a strategic pivot. Initially planned as a smaller indoor venue, the microbrewery’s design was adjusted to feature expansive outdoor seating to align with post-pandemic trends.
The competition from established players and the volatile market conditions added further complexity, but the brewery’s innovative approach and strategic timing enabled it to capitalise on the growing demand for unique and experiential craft beers.
Celebrating Feats
Vinay has achieved significant milestones with Long Boat Brewing Co. during its initial years with the help of his partners. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, he successfully raised $3.6 million along with his partners (INR 30 crore) and generated a turnover of $7.8 million (INR 65 crore) within a year of opening.
Under his leadership, Long Boat secured 22 industry awards, including the prestigious Highest Scoring Beer of 2022, and was recognised for its innovative and quality-driven approach.
Vinay has also been invited as a panellist at major industry events, such as the Brewer World Conclave 2023, and has actively engaged with the local community by sponsoring and participating in the Bangalore Squash League 2023.
Long Boat has also garnered several accolades for its design and ambience, including Best Theme-Based Restro-Bar and Emerging Best Microbrewery of the Year awards.
Other innovations include launching India’s first beer-infused ice creams and achieving high sales with unique products like mango beers. Additionally, Vinay was inducted into the Forbes Business Council in 2024, marking his influence in the global business arena.
In 2024, he was a panel discussion member at the Restaurant India Awards, addressing topics such as the rise of custom beverage experiences and the evolving role of bar teams in top restaurants.
He was honoured as the Young Restaurateur of the Year at the Restaurant India South India Edition, held at the Sheraton Grand, Bangalore. Chandrashekar also received the ET F&B Achiever’s 2024 award, recognising his significant impact on Bangalore’s hospitality sector. Moreover, Long Boat Brewing Co. was distinguished as the ‘Emerging Business of the Year’ at the MSME India Business Awards 2024 in Delhi.
What the Future Holds
Long Boat Brewing Co. plans to capitalise on the burgeoning craft beer market in India, which is currently valued at 5,533.73 million litres and expected to grow to 9,004.74 million litres by 2025, with a CAGR of approximately 10.89%.
Given the sector’s rapid expansion, particularly in Bengaluru, where the craft beer market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 24.41% from 2024 to 2032, the company aims to leverage this momentum. Future initiatives include scaling operations to meet the rising demand for craft beer and expanding into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
Long Boat Brewing Co. will also focus on sustaining innovation and maintaining high-quality standards to differentiate itself in an increasingly competitive market.
The company plans to expand its footprint across Bengaluru with additional taproom outlets, enhance distribution through kegging, and eventually develop a bottling plant for premium craft beers. This expansion strategy includes scaling up distribution channels and increasing the number of points of sale from 90 to 600.
With the Indian craft beer industry still in its early stages, the company intends to establish itself as a key player amid anticipated industry growth and competition.
Lastly, Vinay leaves a note for budding entrepreneurs. He notes,
“Crave for more competition, as this is what will improve your product offering. We had a massive giant right opposite us when we were about to start the project, along with the new COVID variant going rampant, but when you believe and work towards innovation and quality the results will follow automatically.”
