Brewers Den’s brew-tiful spectacle

When a new establishment opens its doors in Dhaka's rapidly evolving food scene, there is only one question that comes to our minds: what can this new cafe possibly offer that we haven't seen before? 

As diners have become almost insatiable, the bar has risen to impossible heights. So, when the craze for Brewers Den took over social media—especially through food bloggers—my expectations were high. 

Brewers Den puts a twist on traditional cafe experiences through presentation. Many of the beverages are almost theatrical in nature, adding an element of entertainment to your dining experience. From nitrogen-infused mugs of lemon tea to milk tea brewed in what seems like a science experiment, as each dish appeared, one cannot help but be a little awestruck by the presentation. 

However, it was only natural for me to be curious about the function of many aspects of their dishes—and that is where hospitality and staff come to play. Each member of the cafe's team was not only well-informed about each unique dish, but they also always made sure to make you feel welcome.

But at the end of the day, taste is what matters. So, we tried a few standout items from their menu to see if Brewers Den is truly worth the hype. 

Salt Beef Sandwich

Perhaps one of the most popular food items from their menu, the Salt Beef Sandwich consists of cuts of beef which are cured for three days and braised for six hours. The sandwich is served on a plate with chips and a cheese sauce. 

Structural integrity is a crucial component of sandwiches as it is quite easy for it to fall apart in your hands once the bread meets the sauces. However, they nail this aspect with the crispy bread, which holds each layer in place, allowing for a smooth eating experience.

You may expect the star of the dish to be the beef, given the elaborate process behind it. However, though the meat was of standard taste-wise, it was outshone by the kick of the mustard. While the hype leaves more to be desired, it is still a good dish to pair with a refreshing drink.

Price: Tk400 for quarter pound

Nitro Iced Tea (NIT)

The Nitro Iced Tea was perhaps the winner of the meal. The drink is infused with nitrogen gas, leaving you with a refreshingly cold drink without getting watered down with ice. 

The cool lemon tea is reminiscent of the taste of classic Lipton iced tea, but the nitrogen infusion elevates it with a crisp, refreshing twist. As the foam slowly rises and settles at the top, the drink visually transforms right before your eyes.

When you pair this with a heavy dish such as the Salt Beef Sandwich or English Mustard Chicken, it acts as a palate cleanser and also cools you down from within.

Price: Tk250

Cafe Trung

If the Nitro Iced Tea was the champion, then the Cafe Trung felt like a discovery. Cafe Trung is a Vietnamese coffee made with egg yolks, condensed milk, and a shot of espresso. 

When you order this drink, the staff will warn you that this is on the stronger side, so you shouldn't expect a latte-like milky beverage. The drink is about the same amount as an espresso, but that is where the similarities stop. 

Having egg yolks in a drink might be a little daunting; however, they add an unbelievably soft and fluffy texture to the espresso. Paired with the sweetness of condensed milk, it almost feels like you're drinking a glass of coffee-flavoured whipped cream. 

If you're looking to end your meal with dessert and a caffeine kick, then the Cafe Trung is a must-have—as long as you can tolerate the caffeine rush afterwards. 

Price: Tk295

Syphoned Chai

The Syphoned Chai was probably the part of the meal we were excited for after seeing countless videos of it online. 

The tea is brewed using a siphon, with the milk and tea leaves in separate containers. The milk rises to the top, and as it meets the tea leaves and aromatics, it brews two cups of masala tea. 

However, when it comes to tea, Bangladeshis do not come to play. As the cinnamon flavour overpowers the palate, the essence of the tea takes a back seat. Furthermore, it takes about half an hour to prepare the equipment before it comes out to you, so make sure to order ahead of time.

While the theatrics were fun to experience, for the price point, it is still an average cup of tea.

Price: Tk585

Basque Cheesecake

The Basque Cheesecake was perhaps the only letdown of the evening. The crustless cheesecake is visually enticing and stands out as one of their indulgent dessert choices. 

However, once you bite into the creamy cheesecake, and as the first notes of sweetness fade, you are left with a "gamey" aftertaste. Being quite an unusual experience, we tried this dish on two separate occasions; however, the results were the same. 

If you are looking to end the dish on a sweet note, perhaps choose the Cafe Trung or Spanish Latte

Price: Tk385 per slice