E-Malt.com News article: India: Telangana government set to give permission for microbreweries

Beer connoisseurs in Hyderabad can soon look forward to their favourite tipple crafted just the way they want as the Telangana government is set to give permission for microbreweries, The New Indian Express reported on June 17.

Telangana is one of the largest beer producing states in India, with more than six breweries in the state. As many as 6,500 lakh cases of beer are sold every year, including 3 crore cases in Hyderabad alone. In fact, beer contributes a whopping 30 per cent of the revenue.

In spite of the increasing demand for beer in the state, the Telangana government is yet to introduce microbreweries, a concept which is a rage in Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi. Officials of the Excise Department said that this could change soon.

“It (microbreweries) is under active consideration of the government and soon we will come out with a plan, once the policy is decided. The government is inclined favourably to introduce them here,” said RV Chandravadhan, commissioner, Telangana Prohibition and Excise department.

Considering that Telangana is one of the pioneers of beer production and consumption, it is strange that the state has not introduced microbreweries in Hyderabad, even as Bangalore, Mumbai and Pune have surged ahead.

In fact, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh account for 31 per cent of the country’s total beer consumption.

Admitting that there is tremendous demand for beer in the state, Chandravadhan says “In principle, there is a lot of demand as Hyderabad is growing into a global city and there’s a pan-Indian presence here. We have acknowledged this fact and the department is favourable to this.’’

With microbreweries, people have the choice of variety of beers, such as wheat beer, dark beer, stouts & porters and is a popular concept in major cities across the globe.

“The department has seen the success of microbreweries in other states, so we made a good case to the government to consider. Now, it is for the government to take a call,” Chandravadhan added.

Meanwhile, several wine dealers gave a thumbs up to the concept, and are hoping that microbreweries will be introduced in the government’s next policy review.

“There was a discussion last year about introducing this concept but perhaps due to political uncertainty, nothing materialised. I feel that this year microbreweries would be introduced. Even chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has made positive remarks, so, we are expecting changes in the liquor policy,” said Venkateshwar Rao, president, Telangana Wine Dealers’ Association.


17 June, 2015