Beer production in India has a rich history dating back thousands of years, initially crafted from rice or millet. However, it wasn’t until the 18th century that European-style beer was introduced to India by the British. Despite this introduction, beer hasn’t garnered the same level of popularity as stronger alcoholic beverages like desi daru and Indian-made foreign liquor, particularly Indian whiskey. Strong beers dominate the market as the most favored choice among consumers in India.
Furthermore, beer-like sura has been a part of Indian culture since the Vedic era, with references dating back to approximately 1500–1200 BCE in the Rig Veda. Additionally, rice beer has been brewed by native tribes since ancient times, highlighting the indigenous brewing traditions of the region.
European beer imports to India commenced in 1716, brought over by the British colonial administration. Notably, Lion beer stands as a significant milestone in India’s brewing legacy, being Asia’s first beer brand and the pioneering European-style beer brewed on Indian soil since the 1820s.
Famous Beer Brands in India & Prices
| Kingfisher | Kingfisher Beer Price in India |
| Bira | Bira Beer Price in India |
| Budweiser | Budweiser Beer Price in India |
| Carlsberg Elephant | Carlsberg Elephant Beer Price in India |
| Haywards 5000 | Haywards 5000 Beer Price in India |
| Tuborg | Tuborg Beer Price in India |
| Heineken | Heineken Beer Price in India |
| Corona Extra | Corona Extra Beer Price in India |
History
TraditionalÂ
Beer has been a longstanding tradition in India, with references to a beer-like drink called sura found in ancient texts such as the Vedas and the Ramayana. It was notably favored by the god Indra. Rice beer, known as handia, has been traditionally crafted by various indigenous tribes, sometimes incorporating Ruellia suffruticosa for added flavor. Additionally, millet beer has been brewed by certain tribes, with local beer playing a role in preventing diseases like beri beri, as noted by biologist J. B. S. Haldane.
European
European-style beer was introduced to India by the British in the 18th century. By 1716, pale ale and Burton ale were being imported from England. To preserve the beer during the lengthy journey, it was brewed with high alcohol content and hops, leading to the creation of India pale ale around 1787 by Bow Brewery.
In 1830, Edward Abraham Dyer established India’s first brewery, the Kasauli Brewery, which produced Lion beer, Asia’s pioneering European-style beer brand. The brewery’s operations later shifted to Solan Brewery in 1835, where it continued to thrive. Over time, more breweries emerged across India, Burma, and Sri Lanka, with H. G. Meakin eventually acquiring the Solan brewery, leading to the formation of Dyer-Meakin & Company.
Modern
The brewing industry saw further developments, with Lilasons Breweries introducing the strong beer brand Khajuraho in 1969, marking a significant milestone. In subsequent years, foreign companies began entering the Indian market, with United Breweries, SABMiller India, Carlsberg, and others making notable acquisitions and expansions.
Events such as “Oktoberfest Goa” have contributed to the beer culture in India, blending beer, food, and electronic music since 2011. However, in September 2021, the Competition Commission of India imposed fines on major breweries, including United Breweries Limited, Anheuser Busch InBev India Ltd., and Carlsberg India Private Limited, for price fixing.
Brands & Breweries
Kingfisher stands as the foremost beer brand in India, commanding the largest market share. Other prominent Indian brands include Hunter, Kalyani, Haywards, Knock Out, and Zingaro. Among breweries, United Breweries, headquartered in Bangalore, holds the top position in terms of market share. Carlsberg, SABMiller India, B9 Beverages (Bira 91), Som Distilleries and Breweries Ltd, and Anheuser-Busch Inbev are other major players in the Indian brewing landscape.
In 2013, United Breweries boasted a substantial 55% market share, while SABMiller India followed closely behind with a 23% share. SABMiller India owns the Haywards brand, while Foster’s Indian units are under the ownership of KALS Breweries.
Despite the availability of imported beer brands such as Corona, Singha, Tsingtao, Victoria Bitter, Geist, and Christoffel, their prices remain steep due to hefty import duties reaching up to 100%. Carlsberg’s Tuborg Booster Strong brand (8% ABV) and Anheuser-Busch Inbev’s Budweiser Magnum (6.5% ABV) are exclusively marketed in India. Notably, United Breweries’ Kingfisher Strong (8% ABV) reigns supreme as India’s top-selling brand.