At Toit, our customers have always been our primary focus. They’re the ones who bring life to the place, create memories and end up giving the place its familiar, friendly vibe.

Our standard opening question—why do you think you were selected as the Mug Holder of the month?

I believe it’s a token of appreciation from Toit & Co towards my endless love for this place and its brewed beauties.

What do you do?

I work with Thomson Reuters as a Team Lead in Finance and Risk space.

Are you from Bangalore?

If not, where are you from and when did you move here? – I’m originally from Jammu & Kashmir, however, I have stayed in Bombay for the last ten years and moved to Bangalore about a year back.

What were you doing in Bombay before this?

I moved to Bombay for my studies. I did my engineering there in Electronics. Then I started working there as a Research Analyst at an Indian Market Research firm and later on moved to work with Thomson Reuters.

What do you like most about Bangalore? 

Toit and the Nitro Stout. Period. However, when I first came to Bangalore, I was in love with the weather here. Which seems to be fading lately, haha. Bangalore being a cosmopolitan city, has been amazing in several aspects. I love the fact about people here, both locals and those who have ended up in this city for jobs and studies. Every one of them is so accepting and open for a talk. The social life here is quite buzzing with genuine and concerning people around you living their happy lives just like you!

What is it about Toit that brings you back here so often?

 Primarily, the Nitro Stout, Secondly, the humblest beings I’ve ever met in my life, the Toit staff and then of course my regular Toit friends. It feels more like a family reunion every time I come here.

Have you always loved beer?

Well, my first experience with beer was horrible. I remember I had said I’d never have beer again. But it was only after I started coming to Toit that I have a new found love for beer and brewed beers, especially.

Tell us about one of the best memories you’ve had at Toit?

There was this one time, when my flatmate and longtime buddy, Nijil Pillai, my colleague, Srikar Reddy and I decided to come to Toit randomly on a weekday. This was very early when I had just started coming to Toit and had only made few friends here. And the best part about that night was, that although unplanned, we ended up with a group of 7-8 Toit friends chilling together on a weekday and knowing each other personally was such a transcending experience. Everyone came from a different background, a different city, yet Toit made us forget all of that and interact at a level which I’m pretty sure, we wouldn’t otherwise.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?

I was recently interviewing candidates, part of a campus drive, at Thomson Reuters and we had MBA fresher’s coming in from Christ College. The first interesting thing I learnt that day was every student in Christ is a Malayali (aka Mallu), period. So, my flatmate, Nijil, being a Malayali himself, I’ve come to terms with a lot of Malayali names. However, this funny thing happened when I interviewed a Malayali with the surname “Singh” and while talking about it to Nijil, we were wondering if the person purposely went to stay in Kerala and got Malayali citizenship just to get admitted in Christ! (Pun intended) Honestly, no offence meant for Malayalis or Christ! I’m myself proud to have several Malayali friends in my life (I’m not sure though what happens after they read this, haha).

Tell us a little more about your regular Toit friends?

Starting from the first person I actually ever interacted with in Toit, Vipin Pillai. This guy I’m pretty sure is a beer connoisseur by now. He’s the one who actually made me fall in love with the Nitro Stout (by far the best stout in town) and to this date I respect his suggestion. Then came Neeraj and Ashish, both work for Dell and thanks to them, half of Dell knows me now! We even discussed this once that if I ever happened to interview with Dell, we’re sure that I’ll get through quite easily. (Pun intended). Neeraj and Ashish are my connection to the North, since both are from the Northern Part of India as well. Then the current and former Toit staff, Ashvin, Sriram, Shankar, Arjun, Satya, Jeffin (the brew master) *bows* and the rest! Sorry, if I skipped any names here guys.

What are you reading at the moment? Any reading recommendations too?

I’m currently reading Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. I personally love Murakami and his work, especially, Kafka on the Shore and Sputnik Sweetheart. You sure don’t wanna miss out on reading these two. I also love The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje. One thing I love about The English Patient is there is this moment in the book while you’re reading it, wherein the writer would ask you to read the book at the same speed as the writer would have actually wrote it. Trust me. It completely changed my reading experience.

What’s your best go-to snack with Toit beer?

Barbeque Chicken Pizza.

Tell us about things other than work that interest you?

I like to read and I occasionally write poetry.

You said that you like to write poetry, could you share a small piece with us?

This is straight from my blog (mayankoul.blogspot.in) and one of my personal favourites:

Absence.

The fragrant flowers of your grave, the burning incense thus die,
Leaving my fears long alone, the inevitable calm creeping by,
Making promises yet again, pointing out my misery and why,
Sinking through the clear smoke, sitting awake thinking high,
Out of belief short of love, wide awake about to cry,
For once i did believe in love, for you promised wouldn't lie,
Now i sit under my quilt absolute in silence, the night hence whispers by,
And i am stuck again same place, as to get out i dearly try,
Deep down below my skin, the calling is to live by,
Dream again a better world, live again the same lie,
Turing times of pure liberation, twinkling nights thus deny,
Thus haunted by sure absence, holding sight of the last good bye.