Beer brewers, after two tepid years, raise a toast to a longer, meaner summer

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Delhi: Beer companies are salivating over warnings of a warmer summer after unseasonal rains in 2023 and the 2024 national election watered down volumes during the industry’s peak sales season the previous two years.

Beer makers Mint spoke with, including Kingfisher maker United Breweries, Budweiser producer AB InBev, and boutique players expect a 7-10% growth in business this summer—if supplies aren’t disrupted by state excise policies. “From a demand standpoint, we don’t see any problem in terms of what to expect from this summer.

We are seeing a gradual increase in our demand," said Vivek Gupta, managing director and chief executive of United Breweries, “but we are concerned about some states increasing duties…" Summer is a crucial season for beer companies as chilled cans or bottles of the beverage offer more than just respite from the heat. But while the summer of 2023 welcomed unexpected rain in several parts of the country, in 2024, alcohol consumption was barred in states during the Lok Sabha election that ran from April to June.

The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast above-normal heatwave conditions in several parts of the country this summer after the country recorded warmer-than-usual temperatures in February. United Breweries’ management said during their third-quarter earnings call last month that the company had already started ramping up its inventory for the summer with February turning out to be warmer than usual in many parts of the country.