JesusHupp231 at 17:30, 19 December 2025

2025-12-19T17:30:36Z

New page

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}

'''Beer in India''' has been prepared from rice or millet for thousands of years. In the 18th century, the British introduced European beer to India. Beer is not as popular as stronger alcoholic beverages like [[desi daru]] and [[Indian-made foreign liquor]], such as [[Indian whiskey]]. The most popular beers in India are [[strong beer]]s.<ref name="strong beers reuters"/>

Beer-like [[sura (alcoholic drink)|sura]] has been produced in India since the [[Vedic era]] (c. 1500–1200 BCE, Rig Veda),<ref name="Eraly2002"/> rice beer has been produced by the [[Adivasi|native tribes]] since ancient times,<ref name="Chaudhuri"/> European beer imports to India from England started in 1716, introduced by the [[British Raj]]].<ref name="burton"/> [[Kasauli Brewery#Lion|Lion beer]], produced continuously since the 1820s, is Asia's first beer brand, and the first Indian brewed European style beer.<ref name="solan">{{cite web |title=Himachal Pradesh: Solan |url=http://hpsolan.gov.in/solan.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210130442/http://hpsolan.gov.in/solan.html |archive-date=10 December 2012 |access-date=8 October 2013 |publisher=Government of Himachal Pradesh |df=dmy}}</ref><ref name="liv1">https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/PiKqdbm2wPGiQnCisfynmK/1800s-Solan-No-1--The-accidental-legacy.html, The Mint, 13 Aug 2012.</ref><ref name="Damodaran">{{cite book |last=Damodaran |first=Harish |title=India's New Capitalists: Caste, Business, and Industry in a Modern Nation |date=25 June 2008 |publisher=Springer |isbn=9780230594128 |page=63}}</ref>

==History==

===Traditional beer===
[[File:Lungzubel Meghalaya.JPG|thumb|Traditional beer vats in [[Meghalaya]].]]

The [[Veda]]s mention a beer-like drink called ''sura''.<ref name="Eraly2002">{{cite book|author=Abraham Eraly|title=Gem in the Lotus|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YokatCwNG90C&pg=PT165|date=23 January 2002|publisher=Penguin Books Limited|isbn=978-93-5118-014-2|page=165}}</ref> It was the favourite of the god [[Indra]].<ref name="DasguptaLangman2012">{{cite book|author1=Amitava Dasgupta|author2=Loralie J. Langman|title=Pharmacogenomics of Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AiHaRjs3grYC&pg=PA13|access-date=8 October 2013|year=2012|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-4398-5611-6|page=13}}</ref> Sura is also mentioned in the [[Ramayana]].<ref name="Prakash2005">{{cite book|author=Om Prakash|title=Cultural History of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nzpYb5UOeiwC&pg=PA503|access-date=8 October 2013|date=1 January 2005|publisher=New Age International|isbn=978-81-224-1587-2|page=503}}</ref> [[Megasthenes]] has recorded usage of rice beer in India. [[Kautilya]] has also mentioned two intoxicating beverages made from rice called ''Medaka'' and ''Prasanna''.<ref name="Prakash2005"/>

[[Rice beer]] or ''handia'' has been traditionally prepared by various indigenous tribes of India, in which ''[[Ruellia]] suffruticosa'' is sometimes added for flavor. Rice beer also has ceremonial use among the [[Asur people]].<ref name="Chaudhuri">{{cite book|author1=Sarit Kumar Chaudhuri|author2=Sucheta Sen Chaudhuri|title=Primitive Tribes in Contemporary India: Concept, Ethnography and Demography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oG9_QkvmUKMC&pg=PA57|year=2005|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=978-81-8324-026-0|page=57}}</ref> Millet beer is also prepared by some tribes. According to biologist [[J. B. S. Haldane]], local beer helped in keeping diseases like [[beri beri]] checked in these tribes. Recently, government and social workers have been trying to curb alcohol usage among these tribes.<ref name="PatiDash2002">{{cite book|author1=Rabindra Nath Pati|author2=Jagannatha Dash|title=Tribal and Indigenous People of India: Problems and Prospects|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qxxnZ4XxUbsC&pg=PA123|year=2002|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=978-81-7648-322-3|page=123}}</ref> Elephant herds have been known to attack villages to drink this rice beer for which they have acquired a taste.<ref name="elephants love beer">{{cite news|title=Beer-swilling elephants terrorize Indian villages |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2002090414_elephants14.html |access-date=8 October 2013 |newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]] |date=14 November 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016143829/http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2002090414_elephants14.html |archive-date=16 October 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref name=rampage>{{cite news|title=India elephant rampage|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/241781.stm|access-date=8 October 2013|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=24 December 1998}}</ref>

===European beer===
European-style beer was introduced in India by the British. By 1716, [[pale ale]] and Burton ale were being imported to India from [[England]].<ref name="burton">{{cite book|author=Pete Brown|title=Hops and Glory: One man's search for the beer that built the British Empire|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QI9sbhX9jlIC&pg=PT57|access-date=8 October 2013|date=11 August 2011|publisher=Pan Macmillan|isbn=978-0-230-74047-1|page=57|chapter=Chapter 17: Hodgson's India Ale}}</ref> To protect the beer from spoiling during the long journey, it had to have high alcohol content and [[hops]] were added to it. This led to the invention of [[India pale ale]] in about 1787 by Bow Brewery.<ref name="pale ale">{{cite book|title=Global Histories, Imperial Commodities, Local Interactions|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3fkzAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA40|access-date=8 October 2013|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=978-1-137-28360-3|page=40|date = 12 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="lion beer"/>

[[Edward Dyer (brewer)|Edward Dyer]], travelled to back India and set up India's first brewery, the [[Kasauli Brewery]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=The life of General Dyer|last=Colvin|first=Ian Duncan|date=1929-01-01|publisher=W. Blackwood & Sons Ltd.|location=Edinburgh; London|language=en|oclc = 1335678}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TM3riRQIkwgC&q=edward&pg=PA1|title=The Life of General Dyer|last=Colvin|first=Ian Duncan|date=2006-01-01|publisher=Unistar Books|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XuQC5pgzCw4C&q=edward&pg=PA4|title=The Butcher of Amritsar: General Reginald Dyer|last=Collett|first=Nigel|date=2006-10-15|publisher=A&C Black|isbn=9781852855758|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Sundayapp/dREvXCimvI0BIYRLNbavRO/How-Old-Monk-went-from-Indias-star-to-another-hasbeen.html|title=How Old Monk went from India's star to another has-been|last=Saikia|first=Arunabh|date=2016-04-23|newspaper=Mint on Sunday|access-date=2017-01-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/reginald-edward-dyer_2419138|title=Reginald Edward Dyer 1864-1927 - Ancestry|website=www.ancestry.com|language=en-us|access-date=2017-01-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lawrencecollege.edu.pk/reginald-edward-harry-dyer/|title=Reginald Edward Harry Dyer – the Butcher of Amritsar | Lawrence College Ghora Gali|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-date=28 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128214708/http://lawrencecollege.edu.pk/reginald-edward-harry-dyer/|url-status=dead}}</ref> It produced the beer brand Lion, which is still available. The beer production at Kasauli brewery was moved to [[Kasauli Brewery#Solan|Solan Brewery]] at [[Solan]] in a swap when Kasauli Brewery started producing India's first single malt whisky, the [[Kasauli Brewery#Solan whisky|Solan No. 1]]. In 1855, it was incorporated as Dyer Breweries. Later, more breweries were built across India, Burma and Sri Lanka, and added to it. Later, H. G. Meakin bought the Solan brewery and added some more. It came to be known as Dyer-Meakin & Company.<ref name="lion beer">{{cite news|title=Spirits still soar at Asia's oldest brewery|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2005-08-13/news/27493620_1_beer-london-stock-exchange-asia-s|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202093903/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2005-08-13/news/27493620_1_beer-london-stock-exchange-asia-s|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 February 2014|access-date=8 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=13 August 2013}}</ref> By the year 1882, there were 12 breweries in India in all, including one in [[Rangoon]].<ref name="Hunter1886">{{cite book|author=Sir William Wilson Hunter|title=The Indian Empire: Its People, History, and Products|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yUhvfR1S_UEC&pg=PA616|year=1886|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-1581-6|page=616}}</ref>

In the year 1892, 4,831,127 gallons of beer were produced in India. Out of this 2,748,365 gallons were purchased by [[commissariat]] and rest was left for consumption by the civilian population. But, British soldiers reportedly did not like local beer and preferred imported beer which they were able to acquire cheaply. In 1967 the price was only 6.5 rupees.<ref name=beer1892>{{cite news|title=Beer in India|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1xBlAAAAIBAJ&dq=beer%20india&pg=6274%2C2182354|access-date=7 October 2013|newspaper=[[Calgary Herald|The Calgary Weekly Herald]]|date=26 December 1893}}</ref>

In 1937, [[Burma]] was separated from India and the company lost its Burmese assets.<ref name="lion beer"/> The company was restructured and renamed as Dyer Meakin Breweries. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange.<ref name="london stock">{{cite news|title=Calcutta Stocks Neglected|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=es4-AAAAIBAJ&dq=dyer%20meakin%20breweries&pg=3090%2C3095985|access-date=8 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=5 November 1948}}</ref> In 1949, N. N Mohan acquired all the assets of Dyer Meakin Breweries and added a few more units. In 1967, the company was renamed to [[Mohan Meakin]] Breweries.<ref name="lion beer"/>

===Modern===

Established in 1969, Lilasons Breweries in Madhya Pradesh is known for their strong beer brand Khajuraho. It is considered the first super-strong beer brand in India.<ref name="Lilasons">{{cite news|title=Lilasons looks at AP to grow their business|url=http://www.ambrosiaindia.com/2014/may.asp|access-date=10 March 2016|work=Ambrosia India|date=May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310190426/http://www.ambrosiaindia.com/2014/may.asp|archive-date=10 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In recent years, foreign companies have been entering India and acquiring local businesses. In 1999, United Breweries floated a subsidiary called Millennium AlcoBev. It was a joint venture between United Breweries, UK-based [[Scottish & Newcastle]] and Ravi Jain.<ref name="ubl holdings">{{cite news|title=United Breweries (Holdings) Ltd.|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/united-breweries-(holdings)-ltd/infocompanyhistory/companyid-12850.cms|access-date=8 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref>
In 2000, SABMiller India entered Indian market by acquiring Narang Breweries.<ref name=narang>{{cite news|title=SABMiller brews new plan|url=http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2005/nov/10sab.htm|access-date=8 October 2013|date=10 November 2005}}</ref> In June 2001, it acquired the Mysore Breweries.<ref name=mysore>{{cite news|title=SABMiller moving base to Bangalore|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2003/04/12/stories/2003041202720100.htm|access-date=8 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=11 April 2003}}</ref> In 2003, SABMiller India acquired 50% stake in local [[Shaw Wallace]]'s beer business.<ref name="sabmiller wallace"/> In November 2002, SABMiller India acquired Rochees Breweries.

In May 2005, SABMiller India acquired Shaw Wallace's beer assets for {{currency|600|INR}} crore.<ref name="sabmiller wallace">{{cite news|title=SABMiller buys S Wallace for USD 135m|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/SABMiller-buys-S-Wallace-for-USD-135m/articleshow/1124971.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131008185036/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-05-28/india-business/27845253_1_shaw-wallace-breweries-beer-business-castle-lager|url-status=live|archive-date=8 October 2013|access-date=8 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=28 May 2005}}</ref> Also in 2005, Carlsberg entered India with its local venture, South Asian Breweries. Also in 2005, Singapore-based [[Asia Pacific Breweries]] acquired a 76% shared the local Aurangabad Breweries.<ref name="beer war">{{cite news|title=Beer war hots up in India|url=http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2007/dec/04bspec.htm|access-date=7 October 2013|newspaper=[[Rediff]]|date=4 December 2007}}</ref> In late 2005, UK-based [[Cobra Beer]] entered the Indian market by beginning negotiations with in December.<ref name=Cobra>{{cite news|title=Ravi Kaza to head Cobra Beer India biz|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2008-10-16/news/27697187_1_indian-beer-cobra-beer-india-ravi-kaza|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322172656/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2008-10-16/news/27697187_1_indian-beer-cobra-beer-india-ravi-kaza|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 March 2014|access-date=7 October 2013|date=16 October 2008|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref><ref name="cobra thirsty hiss">{{cite news|title=Cobra thirsts for India beer boom|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4503232.stm|access-date=7 October 2013|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=6 December 2005}}</ref> In 2006, SABMiller India acquired Foster's Indian assets.<ref name="foster sab">{{cite news|title=SABMiller to acquire Foster's India assets|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/05/stories/2006080503201600.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117154925/http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/05/stories/2006080503201600.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 January 2008|access-date=8 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=5 August 2006}}</ref>

In February 2006, [[Anheuser-Busch Inbev]], the makers of [[Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)|Budweiser]], entered a partnership with Hyderabad-based Crown Beers.<ref name="beer war"/><ref name=buds>{{cite news|title=Budweiser beer to be made in India|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/budweiser-beer-to-be-made-in-india/article1650549.ece?ref=archive|access-date=7 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Hindu Business Line]]|date=24 February 2007}}</ref> Also in 2006, Ravi Jain divested his holdings in Millennium AlcoBev.<ref name=ravi>{{cite news|title=UB, S&N buy Ravi Jain's 20% stake in JV for Rs 18 cr|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2006-03-14/news/27420327_1_ub-mabl-millennium-alcobev|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201235925/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2006-03-14/news/27420327_1_ub-mabl-millennium-alcobev|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 February 2014|access-date=8 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=14 May 2006}}</ref> In 2010, United Breweries consolidate its assets, merging Millennium AlcoBev and other units back into itself.<ref name=consolid>{{cite news|title=United Breweries to fold in Millennium Alcobev, other arms|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/money/1438053/report-united-breweries-to-fold-in-millennium-alcobev-other-arms|access-date=8 October 2013|newspaper=[[DNA India]]|date=15 September 2010}}</ref> In 2011, United Breweries announced that they would produce the [[Heineken]] brand beer in India.<ref name=hein>{{cite news|title=United Breweries to manufacture Heineken beer in India|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-59316520110913|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305212859/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-59316520110913|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 March 2016|access-date=7 October 2013|newspaper=[[Reuters]]|date=13 September 2011}}</ref> In 2012 after India allowed foreign-direct investment from Pakistan, [[Murree Beer]] representatives stated that they were seeking to export their brand to India.<ref name=murree>{{cite news|title=24 May 2012|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/may/24/pakistan-india-trade-beer|access-date=7 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=24 May 2012}}</ref> The Rawalpindi-based Murree Beer, which was established in 1861, has been trying to enter the Indian market since 2003.<ref name=2003Pak>{{cite news|title=Pakistan eyes the India beer market|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/EG01Df01.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030817110324/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/EG01Df01.html|url-status=unfit|archive-date=17 August 2003|access-date=7 October 2013|newspaper=[[Asia Times]]|date=1 July 2003}}</ref>

"Oktoberfest Goa", a beer, food and [[electronic music]] festival, has been held every year since 2011 in [[Goa]].<ref name=beerfest>{{cite news |title=Beer, music, food: Oktoberfest back in Goa |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-15/news-and-interviews/42080816_1_festival-director-ma-faiza-electronic-dance-music |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131008185122/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-15/news-and-interviews/42080816_1_festival-director-ma-faiza-electronic-dance-music |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 October 2013 |access-date=7 October 2013 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=15 September 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The [[Competition Commission of India]] found United Breweries Limited (UBL), Anheuser Busch InBev India Ltd. (AB InBev) and Carlsberg India Private Limited (CIPL) guilty of price fixing and imposed fines in September 2021. UBL and CIPL were fined {{INRConvert|750|c}} and {{INRConvert|120|c}} respectively, while AB InBev was given a 100% benefit of reduction in penalty.<ref>{{cite web |title=CCI imposes penalty on beer companies in price-fixing case |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/cci-imposes-penalty-on-beer-companies-in-price-fixing-case-11632480998180.html |website=mint |access-date=24 September 2021 |language=en |date=24 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=CCI Penalises United Breweries India And Carlsberg India For Carterlisation |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/cci-penalises-makers-of-kingfisher-foster-and-carlsberg-beer-for-carterlisation-7504151.html |website=Moneycontrol |date=24 September 2021 |access-date=24 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==Brands and breweries==
The largest selling India beer brand is [[Kingfisher (beer)|Kingfisher]]. Other major Indian brands are Hunter, Kalyani, Haywards, Knock Out and Zingaro. The largest brewery in India by market share is the [[Bangalore]] based [[United Breweries]]. Other major breweries in India are Carlsberg, SABMiller India, B9 Beverages (Bira 91) Som Distilleries and Breweries Ltd and Anheuser-Busch Inbev.<ref name="strong beers reuters"/> In 2013, United Breweries had a market share of 55% and SABMiller India had a share of 23%.<ref name="live mint beer"/> SABMiller India owns the Haywards brand, KALS breweries owns Foster's Indian units.<ref name="live mint beer"/><ref name=foster>{{cite news|title=India key to SABMiller's global bid for Foster's beer unit|url=http://www.sify.com/finance/india-key-to-sabmiller-s-global-bid-for-foster-s-beer-unit-news-news-kgobu7fgbjf.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303163827/http://www.sify.com/finance/india-key-to-sabmiller-s-global-bid-for-foster-s-beer-unit-news-news-kgobu7fgbjf.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 March 2014|access-date=7 October 2013|newspaper=[[Sify]]|date=14 June 2010}}</ref>

Although imported beer brands like, [[Corona (beer)|Corona]], [[Singha]], [[Tsingtao Brewery|Tsingtao]], [[Victoria Bitter]], [[Geist]] and {{illm|Christoffel (beer)|lt=Christoffel|nl|Christoffel Bier}}, are available in India, they are costly due to high import duties reaching up to 100%.<ref name="imported">{{cite news|title=Indian cheer for foreign Beer|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-02-21/news/28618056_1_indian-beer-beer-brands-beer-geek|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226071728/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-02-21/news/28618056_1_indian-beer-beer-brands-beer-geek|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 December 2013|date=21 February 2011|access-date=9 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref> Carlsberg's Tuborg Booster Strong brand (8% ABV) and Anheuser-Busch Inbev's Budweiser Magnum (6.5% ABV) are sold only in India. United Breweries' Kingfisher Strong (8% ABV) is India's best selling brand.<ref name="strong beers reuters"/>

Some of the major beer brands in India by market share are:

<div align="center">
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan=4|Popular beer brands by market share (2014)<ref name="GlobalBeer-ET">{{cite news|title=Say cheers to global beer!|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-09-04/news/66213192_1_global-beer-heineken-sabmiller|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911011919/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-09-04/news/66213192_1_global-beer-heineken-sabmiller|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 September 2015|access-date=23 March 2016|work=[[The Economic Times]]|date=4 September 2015}}</ref>
|-
! Company !! Market share (%) !! Beer brand !! Market share (%)
|-
| rowspan=7|[[United Breweries]] || rowspan=7| 51.1 || [[Kingfisher beer|Kingfisher]] || 41.2
|-
| Kalyani Black Label || 2.7
|-
| UB Export || 2
|-
| Sandpiper || 1.5
|-
| Bullet Super Strong || 1
|-
| Zingaro ||0.9
|-
| London Pilsner || 0.2
|-
| rowspan=4|[[SABMiller]] || rowspan=4|25.6 || [[SABMiller brands#SABMiller India Ltd. breweries|Haywards]] || 15
|-
| Knockout || 8.7
|-
| [[Foster's Lager|Foster's]] || 1.3
|-
| Royal Challenge Premium Lager || 0.6
|-
| rowspan=3|[[Carlsberg Group|Carlsberg]] || rowspan=3|7.6 || [[Okocim Brewery|Okocim]] || 5.1
|-
| [[Tuborg]] || 1.3
|-
| [[Carlsberg Group|Carlsberg]] || 1.2
|-
| rowspan=3|[[Mohan Meakin]] || rowspan=3|3.1 || Golden Eagle || 1.7
|-
| Black Knight || 1.1
|-
| Vorion || 0.2
|-
| [[Anheuser–Busch InBev|Anheuser-Busch]] || 2.1 || [[Budweiser]] || 2
|-
| [[Molson Coors]] || 0.2 || [[Cobra Beer|Cobra]] || 0.2
|-
|}
</div>

===Craft beer===
Modern craft beer came relatively late to India. The first Indian brewpubs opened in Pune (Doolally) and [[Gurgaon]] [[Ahirwal]] (Howzat) in 2009. Also around the same time, India's first bottled craft beers were launched by the Martin Judd's brewery in Maharashtra, and Australian owned "Little Devils" in Ghaziabad. While the bottling ventures proved short-lived, and closed down within a years time, brewpubs have since become a successful format and common sight, especially in India's large cities. In 2019, India counts more than 200 brewpubs, of which about 60 each are located in Bangalore and Gurgaon, respectively.

Bottled Indian craft beer became available again after a long break in 2016, when the White Rhino brewery opened in Gwalior, and soon after started selling their beers in Haryana and Delhi. Since then, new packaging craft breweries have opened in Bangalore and Goa.

Due to restrictive Indian liquor manufacturing laws, some entrepreneurs have chosen to manufacture their beer outside of India. Among them was Bira91, an Indian [[Wheat beer#Witbier|witbier]] brand, which became extremely popular across the country, and has since shifted its production back to India.

==Sales and consumption==
In 2014-15 financial year, the beer market in India grew by 6% to 22.3 million hectolitres (or to 286 million cases). On the one hand, this rate is twice faster as compared to the 2013-14-year; on the other hand, it is half than the average rate over the preceding decade.<ref name="Journal.Beer">{{cite news|title=Analysis of beer market in India|url=http://journal.beer/2015/10/01/analysis-of-beer-market-in-india-journal-beer-3-2015/|work=Beer Journal|access-date=1 October 2015}}</ref> The per capita consumption of beer is 1.6 litres.<ref name="live mint beer"/> Due to the increase in disposable income and discerning consumers, the potential is high. The industry has been growing over the last few years and this growth is attributed to the growing middle class.<ref name="strong beers reuters">{{cite news|title=Stronger is better: brewers tap India thirst for potent beer|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-beer-idUSBRE98N0BC20130924|access-date=7 October 2013|newspaper=[[Reuters]]|date=24 September 2013|archive-date=28 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928083346/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/24/us-india-beer-idUSBRE98N0BC20130924|url-status=live}}</ref> The increased consumption has raised the price of barley in India.<ref name=barley>{{cite news|title=India barley prices surge on buoyant beer market|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/barley-beer-india-idINBOM3519920071120|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306160936/http://in.reuters.com/article/barley-beer-india-idINBOM3519920071120|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 March 2016|access-date=7 October 2013|newspaper=[[Reuters]]|date=20 November 2007}}</ref>

Indians prefer stronger alcoholic drinks, like [[whiskey]], over beer, because it is cheaper and has a higher alcohol content. Indians mostly consume stronger brews. Strong beer with alcohol content in the 5-8% range accounted for 83% of the total beer sales in 2012. Beer accounts for only 5% of the total alcohol consumed.<ref name="strong beers reuters"/> The low consumption is attributed to high cost, availability and stringent regulations. [[Karnataka]] and [[Kerala]] are the only two state in India which has a lower tax rate for beer compared to other alcoholic beverages. Maharashtra has the highest tax on alcohol, at 43%. The latest entrant into the Indian market is the [[Bira 91]] brand with its headquarters in Delhi, making a steady rise in the beer market.<ref name="live mint beer">{{cite news|title=Beer still a luxury for the average Indian|url=http://www.livemint.com/Consumer/Vhca64Ta4m7m4ywMsdViQK/Beer-still-a-luxury-for-the-average-Indian.html|access-date=7 October 2013|newspaper=[[Live Mint]]|date=29 September 2013|archive-date=10 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210154204/https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/Vhca64Ta4m7m4ywMsdViQK/Beer-still-a-luxury-for-the-average-Indian.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=kerala>{{cite web |url=http://www.ksbc.kerala.gov.in/sales.htm |title=Sales and Revenue |publisher=Kerala State Beverages Corporation Limited |access-date=2016-01-30 |archive-date=8 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708040628/http://www.ksbc.kerala.gov.in/sales.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Domestic-market beer is packaged in 650-ml bottles and come in cases of 6. Export-market beer come in 330-ml Standard European or 625-ml (22 imp. oz.) bottles. They come in mild (4% to 5% ABV) and strong (6% to 8% ABV) lagers.

==See also==
{{portal|Beer|Drink|India}}

* Beer related
** [[Beer and breweries by region]]
** [[sura (alcoholic drink)|Sura]]
** [[Kasauli Brewery]]
** [[Kasauli Brewery#Solan|Solan brewery]]
** [[Kasauli Brewery#Lion|Lion beer]], Asia's first beer brand
* Other India alcohol related
** [[Sura_(alcoholic_drink)#Vedic_beverages|List of vedic and ayurvedic alcoholic drinks]]
** [[List of Indian beverages#Alcohol|Alcoholic Indian beverages]]
** [[Alcohol laws of India]]
** [[Alcohol prohibition in India]]
** [[Alcohol laws of India#Dry days|Dry Days in India]]
** [[Desi daru]]
** [[Indian-made foreign liquor]]
** [[Indian whisky]]
** [[Scotch whisky]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|author=Pete Brown|title=Hops and Glory: One man's search for the beer that built the British Empire|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QI9sbhX9jlIC|date=11 August 2011|publisher=Pan Macmillan|isbn=978-0-230-74047-1}}
* {{cite news|last1=O’Yeah|first1=Zac|title=Last orders at Beer-uru's classic watering holes|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/cover/last-orders-at-beerurus-classic-watering-holes/article9449462.ece|work=The Hindu Business Line|date=30 December 2016}}
* ScoopHub [http://scoophub.in/top-10-best-beer-brands-in-india/ Beer Brands List in India] Author :- Mukta Dhiman

{{portalbar|Beer|Liquor|India}}
{{Alcohol in India}}
{{Alcohol by countries}}
{{Alcoholic beverages}}
{{Indian beverages}}
{{Beers of the world}}
{{Prohibition |state=collapsed}}
{{Social issues in India}}
{{Whisky |state=collapsed}}
{{Asia topic |Beer in}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Beer in India}}
[[Category:Beer in India| ]]
[[Category:Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:Indian alcoholic beverages]]

Beer in India - Revision history

JesusHupp231 at 17:30, 19 December 2025