World of Alcohol and Beverages

16/04/2026

India's biggest wine maker, Sula Vineyards, has bought the 19-acre Chandon India winery in Dindori, Nashik, for ₹200 million (~US$2.16 million), resulting in LVMH's ( Moët Hennessy is the wines and spirits division of the luxury goods group LVMH, managing 25 prestigious Maisons, including Moët & Chandon, Hennessy, V***e Clicquot, and Krug. Known for exceptional Champagnes, cognacs, and wines, the company operates globally, focusing on heritage, terroir, and innovation). departure from the Indian wine industry. The acquisition encompasses the land, structures, and equipment, allowing Sula to expand its wine tourism offerings. The Chandon brand will remain intact following the transaction.

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/04/lvmh-sells-indian-winery/ #:~:text=Sula%20Vineyards%20will%20acquire%20the,visitor%20centre%20and%20banqueting%20facilities.

LVMH’s wine and spirits division is ending local production in India after more than a decade of making Chandon sparkling wine in the country. Sula Vineyards will acquire the winery as part of its expansion into wine tourism.

03/04/2026

The war in Iran is affecting the Indian alcohol industry
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The conflict in Iran is significantly impacting India's alcohol industry by triggering a 12–15% increase in production costs and shortages, primarily affecting bottled and canned beer. Disruptions in gas supplies have boosted glass bottle costs by 20%, while shipping issues threaten aluminum supplies for cans, leading brewers to seek price hikes.
Key Impacts on Imported/Domestically Brewed Alcohol (2026):
Packaging Cost Surge: The cost of glass bottles has increased by over 20% due to energy shortages affecting manufacturers.
Supply Chain Disruptions: Shipping delays in the Middle East have slowed the import of raw aluminum, causing shortages for canned beer alternatives.
Price Hikes: Major brewers, including Heineken, AB InBev, and Carlsberg, are warning of price increases of 12–15%.
Shortage Risks: The crisis is creating potential supply shortages during the peak summer demand season.
While these impacts currently focus on production costs (affecting imported and domestic beer brands), increased shipping risks and fuel costs could also raise the landed cost of imported spirits and wines.
Major industry bodies like the Brewers Association of India and the CIABC are currently petitioning state governments for 12–15% price hikes to offset these unsustainable "unsustainable" production costs.

India is facing continued supply disruptions and higher beer prices due to a surge in costs for producers following the conflict in the Middle East.

28/03/2026

Seismic development in the beverages alcohol industry NEGOTIATION CONFIRMED -
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BROWN -FORMAN and PERNOD RICHARD have admitted that they are in discussions about a possible "business combination", confirming reports that broke late yesterday (26 March).

https://drinks-intel.com/spirits/brown-forman-pernod-ricard-confirm-talks-on-merger-of-equals/

15/03/2026

This means tax on alcohol will now depend on how strong the drink is (how much alcohol it contains), instead of just charging a fixed tax per bottle or per litre.

27/01/2026

IMPACT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AGREEMENT IN INDIA: European beer duty reduced from 110% to 50%, premium wines from 150% to 20%, and 30% for medium-range wines.

That being said, not every European alcohol product would be cheaper in India. Many mass-market European brands that are brewed locally in India are unlikely to see a direct duty impact, as the tariff cuts apply specifically to fully imported variants.

21/01/2026

https://www.financialexpress.com/life/lifestyle-indias-most-expensive-whisky-worth-rs-10-lakh-ranked-third-among-the-worlds-finest-4114375/

India’s most expensive whisky priced at Rs 10 lakh ranks third among the world’s finest, marking a global luxury milestone.

10/01/2026

NEW YEAR STATE WISE SALES - ALCOHOL (INDIA) -
India rang in 2026 with record-breaking alcohol sales, as states competed in festive spending on booze. A viral chart highlights the pace of consumption, measured in bottles sold per minute on New Year's Eve.

Top Spenders

Telangana led with 95 bottles per minute, driven by massive sales exceeding ₹800 crore over December 30-31 in Hyderabad and surrounding areas. Andhra Pradesh followed closely at 93 bottles per minute, doubling prior year's figures to nearly 300 crore on New Year's Eve alone.

Regional Highlights

Karnataka ranked third at 74 bottles per minute, fueled by Bengaluru's nightlife and totaling over ₹400 crore in peak days. Maharashtra (41), Uttar Pradesh and Delhi (28 each), and Kerala (26) showed strong urban demand, with southern states dominating overall.

Revenue Surge

Nationwide, sales spiked eightfold in top states compared to daily averages, generating billions in excise revenue amid extended hours and parties. This reflects India's growing festive alcohol market, led by Telugu states.

24/12/2025

Soon, the following flavors of Smirnoff Vodka will be available in the Indian market.

23/12/2025

Indian IMFL market -

08/12/2025

Saudi Arabia has taken further steps to relax rules around the sale of alcohol by allowing non-Muslim foreign residents earning more than 50,000 riyals ($13,300).

Residents must prove their income by showing a salary certificate to gain entry to the country's only liquor outlet, sources say. Read more:

https://bloom.bg/48HI0Eg

03/12/2025

A Small Spelling Change That Costs ₹700+ Crores to BIRA 91 ( Beer company)
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Imagine creating a brand that India's youth love.

Bright colours.

A quirky monkey logo.

A taste bold enough to challenge giants like Kingfisher.

That's Bira 91.

In less than 10 years, Bira became India's 4th largest beer company, raised global funding, and prepared for a major IPO in 2026.

Everything was on track...
..until one simple decision brought the company to its knees.

What Went Wrong?

To launch an IPO and manage 200+ investors, Bira had to convert:

B9 Beverages Pvt Ltd B9 Beverages Ltd

A routine compliance step, right?

X Wrong.

The name change triggered a chain reaction that even experienced founders overlook.

The Compliance Trap Nobody Talks About

In India, alcohol is a State Subject.

Maharashtra rules ≠ Karnataka rules

Karnataka rules & Rajasthan rules

No central alcohol license exists

So when Bira changed its name, every state license tied to "Pvt Ltd" instantly became invalid.
This Meant:

1. Old Stock Became Unsellable Labels still mentioned Pvt Ltd.

Legally, that entity didn't exist anymore.

2. New Stock Couldn't Be Sold

State-wise re-approvals took 5-6 months.

No valid license = no sales.

For months, Bira 91 vanished from shelves, pubs, and retail counters.

The Fallout

Sales collapsed overnight

✔ Losses crossed ₹700+ Crores

Salaries delayed for months

Distributors moved to aggressive competitors

All because a statutory name change wasn't aligned with state-level compliance.

The Hard Lesson

You can build an iconic brand.

You can build massive demand.

You can even build a world-class product.

But if you ignore Legal & Compliance, the system can break you - fast.

Growth is exciting.

But stability is survival.

For founders, finance leaders, and investors, this is a reminder:

Compliance is not paperwork

Compliance is risk management

Compliance is strategy

(By Naveen Tyagi)