Bira 91 and Colocal Chocolates Unveil Beer Bonbons for Father’s Day

BIRA 91, India's leading craft beer brand, has announced the opening of its 9th Taproom, coinciding with the brand’s 9th anniversary. 

Situated in the dynamic Kamala Mills area of Lower Parel, Mumbai, this new outpost builds upon BIRA 91’s growing nationwide network of experiential craft beer destinations, as the second BIRA 91 Taproom in Mumbai, following the successful launch at T1 Domestic Terminal which happened recently this year.

"Opening our 9th Taproom in our 9th year is a moment of immense pride for BIRA 91. Each Taproom tells the story of our journey – one of passion, innovation, and bold creativity. Mumbai, with its unmatched energy and diversity, is the perfect city to mark this milestone,” shared Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO of BIRA 91.

Spanning a sprawling 4,520 sq. ft. with a seating capacity of over 200, including a lush outdoor space for live performances and pet-friendly events, the Kamala Mills Taproom promises to be an unparalleled destination. The space’s design seamlessly blends industrial chic with natural greenery, creating a warm, inviting ambiance for patrons to enjoy.

Guests will have the chance to explore 16 taps pouring an eclectic mix of Limited Release small-batch brews, seasonal creations, and flagship beers, alongside a menu curated by Celebrity Chef Vicky Ratnani. A proud Mumbaiker, Chef Vicky has designed the offerings to reflect bold flavors inspired by local and global influences, ensuring each dish pairs perfectly with BIRA 91’s innovative beers.

"Our Taprooms are designed to offer exceptional craft beer experiences paired with thoughtful culinary delights. With Chef Vicky Ratnani’s expertise, our Kamala Mills Taproom features a menu that captures Mumbai’s diverse palate while complementing our beers,” added Rahul Singh, Senior Vice President, Pubs Vertical, BIRA 91.

The opening of the Kamala Mills Taproom reflects BIRA 91’s mission to transform the craft beer culture in India, blending global techniques with local flavors. 

Bira 91 is a prominent craft beer company in India and a rapidly expanding global brand has partnered with New Belgium Brewing, one of the United States' largest craft brewers, to introduce "Chutney Sour."

This collaborative beer combines the flavors of Indian street food with the renowned craft brewing tradition of Colorado.

Beer is infused with tamarind and tangy fruit commonly found in Indian chutneys and curries, this beer is crafted based on the traditional Dubbel, a Belgian-style ale refined by New Belgium Brewery.

The beer made its debut in both companies' taprooms: Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR in India for Bira 91, and Fort Collins, Colorado for New Belgium Brewery.

This release was strategically timed to align with the Indian Spring festival of Holi.

"We couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with New Belgium Brewing. Colorado is at the center of beer innovation in the world, and New Belgium is the most well-respected beer company in the United States. Our Limited Release beers are brewed with a two-word MO for our brewers – Go Crazy! Right from the word Go, our respective brewers started jamming and vibing, and came up with this crazy, but in hindsight, such an obvious idea – making a Belgian Sour Ale with Tamarind –a “Chutney Sour”. The result is a brilliant surprise, and I am sure consumers who get their hands on this Limited Release will love it!” said Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO, Bira 91.

The beer will undergo a single brewing cycle and will be exclusively available in the taprooms until supplies are depleted.

B9 Beverages Ltd is the parent company of Bira 91, has appointed Manoj Kohli, previously Managing Director at Bharti Airtel and former SoftBank India Country Head, along with Bharat Anand, a Partner at Khaitan & Co., as Independent Directors for its Board.

This strategic move aims to utilize the extensive global business expertise of these appointees as Bira 91 expands its operations both domestically and internationally.

Additionally, these appointments are intended to fortify the company's corporate governance framework.

“I am truly excited to bring on-board Manoj and Bharat as independent directors at Bira 91. We are at an important inflection point as a business, and as we continue on our journey of high growth, we would want to ensure that we develop a business that has long-term sustainability, improved risk management and increased quality of corporate governance. With Manoj’s and Bharat’s experience, I am sure we will be able to strengthen Bira 91 considerably on these aspects." said Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO, Bira 91.

Manoj Kohli has been instrumental in various leadership roles, notably as the former Managing Director and CEO of Bharti Airtel. His tenure witnessed Bharti Airtel's remarkable growth, evolving from a customer base of 2 million to over 400 million, positioning it as the third-largest telecommunications company globally.

“Over the next decade, my mission is to support entrepreneurs in building successful businesses that can scale not only in India, but also create a strong presence globally.  Bira 91 is amongst the fastest growing beer brands in the world and is at an exciting phase of its business journey. I am excited to partner with their team and help take the business to newer heights." said Manoj Kohli.

Kohli significantly contributed to Airtel's international expansion. Serving as Softbank India's Country Head, he provided strategic guidance to prominent startups like Ola, Paytm, Lenskart, Snapdeal, and WeWork.

Presently, Kohli holds board positions at notable companies such as WeWork India and Triveni Engineering. He also acts as a senior advisor for Deloitte India and Masters’ Union.

"Bira 91 has done a great job of disrupting a really promising, high growth category. As B9 evolves into a large business, I hope to help support its transition into a well-run corporate and facilitate sustained growth” said Bharat Anand.

B9 Beverages Ltd, the parent company of Bira 91, has risen to become the fourth-largest beer company in the country. With six manufacturing facilities spanning India and a diverse range of flavorful beers, it has expanded its market reach to over 1,000 cities across 24 countries.

In 2023, B9 Beverages made a foray into the Beyond Beer segment by introducing Hill Station Ciders, an alcoholic cider portfolio, and Grizly Seltzers, a line of hard seltzers inspired by cocktails.

Bira 91's operational footprint includes four taprooms situated in Bangalore and Delhi-NCR, where it unveils a new beer every week. Recent strategic acquisitions, such as that of The Beer Café, India’s leading pub chain, aim to fortify its presence in pubs and taprooms.

The company has significant backing from global investors, including Kirin Holdings, a prominent Japanese beer company, MUFG Bank, the largest bank in Japan, Sofina from Belgium, and Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia India).

Bira 91 has introduced its second location in Delhi NCR at DLF Avenue, Saket. This marks the company's fourth Taproom in India, following its earlier launch at DLF CyberHub and in Bengaluru.

This expansion aligns with Bira 91's dedication to fostering beer innovation in India and nurturing a vibrant beer culture among local consumers.

“Delhi is home for Bira 91 and we are extremely excited to bring the Taproom experience to our home city. With the largest Tap wall featuring 16 beers on tap, this launch is yet another step towards fuelling the craft revolution in India and bringing the most flavourful beers to consumers in Delhi NCR. Launching at DLF Avenue, a favorite amongst Delhites, am sure the Taproom will elevate the beer and dining experience for consumers.”  said Ankur Jain, Founder, and CEO at Bira 91.

The Taproom places an emphasis on its culinary offerings, presenting a carefully crafted food selection by Chef Vicky Ratnani that spans various international cuisines that complements the diverse array of flavorful beers available.

"The beer revolution in India is currently at an exciting juncture, with out-of-home experiences playing a crucial role in nurturing the country's growing beer culture. We are excited to bring the best of our beer flavours to the capital and lead the path with constant innovation. With the largest tap selection in town, our limited release beer drops every week, we are surely revolutionizing the experience for our consumers” said Rahul Singh, Senior Vice President, Pubs at Bira 91.

Alongside this, the venue unveils an exclusive cocktail menu designed by sommelier Magandeep Singh, blending both traditional and inventive concoctions.

Furthermore, visitors can explore the offline Bira 91 Merch Store, showcasing popular brand merchandise.

Bira 91 announced that its Mysuru brewery has achieved carbon neutrality, making it the first Net Zero brewery in India.

This  reflects Bira 91's commitment to sustainability and its  efforts to become the country's first Net-Zero beer company by 2025, as part of its "Mission To Zero" campaign.

Bira 91 implemented an action plan to decrease energy consumption and shift towards using 100% clean, renewable energy at its biggest brewery in Mysuru.

As a result, the company successfully reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by a substantial amount to reach this important achievement.

The assessment was done in compliance with global ISO 14064 standards, GHG Protocol and ISAE 3410.

“We embarked on the Net-Zero journey a few years back and I am extremely proud that Mysuru Brewery has set a major milestone by becoming India’s first Net-Zero brewery. With a significant manufacturing footprint in India, we feel that we have the responsibility and opportunity to be stewards in the area of carbon neutrality and inspire all manufacturing companies in India to achieve Net Zero”, said Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO, B9 Beverages

Last year, Bira 91 launched its "Mission to Zero" campaign as part of its sustainability efforts.

The initiative involves four main goals, including the transition to 100% clean energy, a 60% reduction in energy consumption, a 50% reduction in water usage, and the elimination of waste destined for landfills from all of its breweries by 2025.

The foundation of this initiative stems from the partnership between Kirin Holdings and B9 Beverages, which led to the establishment of the B9-Kirin Centre for Sustainable Growth.

 The center has a primary focus on environmental sustainability and business synergies and has initiated the Net Zero project to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025.

 “Our partnership with Bira 91 over the past few years is a testament to this vision. By sharing our expertise in innovation and sustainable practices, we have been able to craft the highest quality, sustainable products together.” said Hiromasa Honda, Managing Director, Kirin Holdings Singapore,

Bira 91's Mission to Zero has been primarily focused on enhancing the efficiency of its manufacturing processes to reduce energy consumption in its breweries.

The company has achieved this through automation and the utilization of renewable energy sources such as solar, hydroelectricity, and wind power.

The facility has also made impressive strides in water conservation by saving 31 million litres of water, equivalent to over 120 million glasses.

In addition, Bira 91 has planted more than 500 trees of local varieties on its premises, serving as a natural carbon sink for the community. As a result of these efforts, the brewery has achieved its Net Zero milestone several years ahead of its global peers in the sector.

Bira 91 has revealed the release of two exclusive beers, namely 022 Session Ale and 011 Gully Pilsner, along with custom-made merchandise that honor the Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals franchises.

Being the official partner of both teams, Bira 91 has created distinct beers and merchandise that take inspiration from the spirit of Mumbai and New Delhi.

The packaging design of the limited-edition beers features significant landmarks of the two cities.

Bira 91's 022 Session Ale and 011 Gully Pilsner are named after the dial codes of Mumbai and Delhi respectively.

The 022 Session Ale is a suitable tribute to the Mumbai Indians and the city, delivering a smooth taste accompanied by sweet hoppy flavors.

On the other hand, the 011 Gully Pilsner is brewed with pilsner malts and noble hops, resulting in a refreshing floral hop finish that reflects the bold vibe of Delhi Capitals.

Bira 91 has also launched a personalized barware range for both Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, which can be purchased from the Bira 91 Merch Store.

The 022 Session Ale and 011 Gully Pilsner will be sold in 330ml bottles and 500ml cans in Mumbai and New Delhi. Meanwhile, the merchandise can only be purchased from Bira 91's official merch store.

One of the world’s fastest-growing beer brand Bira 91 has joined hands with Warner Bros Consumer Products to launch an exclusive merchandise collection inspired by the newly released HBO Original series House of the Dragon, the successor series to Game of Thrones.

The exclusive House of the Dragon x Bira 91 merchandise celebrates the season of Fire and Blood and is dedicated to fans across India.

The collection includes products inspired by the Seven Kingdoms and is perfect for fans to display their love for the world of Targaryens, such as limited-edition glassware, graphic t-shirts, and collectibles like bar blades and coasters.

Just in time for the festive gifting season, the exciting collection will be available to Indian fans for pre-order starting 19^th September on the Bira 91 Merch Shop.  

“Bira 91 and the House of the Dragon coming together is the perfect recipe for a blockbuster! We are thrilled to partner with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and celebrate the release of House of the Dragon with the launch of our exclusive merchandise collection. As a lifestyle brand, we strive to build unique consumer experience across many touchpoints and this collaboration does just that. As fans of the Game of Thrones franchise, we are really excited for the new show and are sure that this season, fire will truly rein,” shared Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO, Bira 91.

To celebrate the Bira 91 x House of the Dragon collaboration, Bira 91 conceptualized a unique activation placing life-size dragon eggs at multiple partner restaurants and bars across Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. This was accompanied with a social media campaign wherein Game of Thrones and House of The Dragon fans stood a chance to win the limited release merchandise.

House of the Dragon streams on Disney+ Hotstar in India with new episodes available every Monday.

Owners of Bira 91 has raised $20 million in bridge financing from two of its existing investors - Sequoia Capital India and Belgium’s Sofina.

The latest capital raise is part of B9 Beverages’ larger $30 million pre-Series C equity financing round.

“B9 Beverages is planning to expand its business in India with a focus on increasing market share in the premium beer segment,” said Ankur Jain, CEO, B9 Beverages.

In 2019, Bira had commissioned two new breweries in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in a bid to quadruple production capacity.

The company now operates four breweries in India and has a presence in 400 cities across 10 nations.

“We continue to grow our business in both existing and new markets. Our market shares in several markets are now higher than 5% in overall beer and more than 20% in premium beer,” added Jain.

B9 Beverages entered the mass market beer segment in February last year with its product Boom.

“2020 is a key inflection point for the company where we expect to reach double-digit market share in a number of states through the year,” he added.

The pre-Series C round kicked off in May last year after the company brought on board consumer-focused investment firm Sixth Sense Ventures, which invested an estimated Rs 30 crore at the time.

B9 Beverages Pvt Ltd, the maker of Bira 91 brand of craft beer, has introduced its biggest-ever fund raise of as much as $100 million. The proceeds of the Series C fundraise will be utilized by the company to support its growth plans.

The latest fundraise will be about double the nearly $50 million raised last year by the Sequoia Capital-backed company. This round was by Belgium-based investment firm Sofina. The round has also seen participation from existing investor Sequoia. The transaction valued New Delhi-based B9 Beverages at nearly $210 million.

In May 2019, B9 Beverages raised $4.3 million from Sixth Sense Ventures, a Mumbai-based consumer-focused venture capital fund, in a bridge round to the Series C round.

Founded in 2015, Bira 91 focuses on mild beers, believed to be preferred by urban consumers.

Anil Joshi, Managing Partner at Unicorn India Ventures, a venture capital firm, said, “Bira would be the next big brand to watch out for; they understand the pulse of the consumer and are coming up with the right product mix. Their visibility during (ICC Cricket) World Cup will give them additional leverage not only in India but also overseas.”

“I feel Bira has the potential to be among the top two brands in a few years in India,” he added.

Craft beer company Bira 91, owned by B9 Beverages Pvt Ltd, has raised $4.3 million in its Pre-Series C round from Sixth Sense Ventures, the consumer-focused venture capital firm. The transaction has valued the company at $246 million.

Sixth Sense Ventures has been allotted five lakh Pre-Series C preference shares for Rs 30 crore.

So far, Bira 91 has raised $74 million in funding from angel investors including Bollywood bigwigs Farhan and Zoya Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani, as well as prominent names in the tech sector like Flipkart’s Chief Executive Kalyan Krishnamurthy.

In April, Bira 91 entered into the mass beer market with the introduction of a sub-brand Boom. Presently, Boom is available in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

The company is expecting to expand its production footprint five-fold to 2,000,000 barrels before the summer of 2019, from its current capacity of 350,000 barrels. 

Bira 91, Sequoia India-backed domestic beer brand, has introduced a sub-brand Boom to foray into the mass beer market.

Boom will be available in 330 ml, 650 ml bottles, and 500 ml cans, and in two variants, including Classic and Super Strong. It will be accessible across key markets such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. The 650 ml bottle of Boom is priced between Rs 130-160 in the respective markets

Ankur Jain, Founder & CEO of B9 Beverages, which owns and sells Bira 91 brand of beers, said, "We strongly believe that consumers across all socio-economic and geographic spectrum want flavor in the beers that they consume. Bira 91 BOOM has been designed to fill that gap in the market and bring flavor to the masses. We aim to activate 10 new states and go deeper into our existing markets with this product"

In May 2018, B9 Beverages had raised Rs 332.6 crore from Sofina at a reported valuation of Rs 1,300- Rs 1,400 crore.

"The proceeds will be used primarily for expansion of Bira’ distribution in the Indian market, though we have also set foot in key global markets such as the US and Asia Pacific region,” Jain further stated.

The home grown beer brand and music streaming app have collaborated to create an exclusive hip-hop playlist featuring artists like Jay Z, Lil Yachty, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye, Slick Rick, Mad Skillz, Artifacts, Craig Mack, J 5, J Hus, Action Bronson, Swet Shop Boys.

Bira 91's team of specialists and Saavn's editorial team are curating playlists that you can bop your head to, on the all new Bira 'Hip Hop Channel.' Hip Hop is a cultural movement that is more than just a record, it's a lifestyle. The effort of the collaboration would be creating a community which is unrestricted to any geographical or racial constraints and is united by hip-hop.

With about 20 million users on saavn, this can be a masterstroke by Bira as far as the marketing of the liquor brand is concerned.

The current favorite playlist is the House Party, which features tracks from A Tribe Called Quest, Rappin' 4-Tay, Open Mike Eagle, G-Eazy, Kendrick Lamar, Redman and more.

Over the next few months, the two brands will bring on guest curators and contributors to create playlists.

The goal is to partner with artists and labels to create original tracks that will be launched on the channel. Bira will also be promoting gigs, festivals and exclusive merchandise through the channel.

Premium beer maker Bira 91 has said that it is looking to expand global footprint by launching in five new markets including the United Kingdom, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The other markets where the company will start distribution soon are Thailand and the UAE. Bira 91, owned by B9 Beverages, was established in 2015 in India. B9 Beverages founder and CEO Ankur Jain said: "We aspire to drive that global shift in beer towards more flavour and with our plans to enter London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and Dubai, we expect to embark on this journey towards creating the first global brand of craft beers." In May this year, the company said it was eyeing sales of Rs 150 crore this fiscal and have presence in 15 cities. The company manufactures four ranges of beers - Bira 91 White, Bira 91 Blonde, Bira 91 Light and Bira 91 Strong. 

Cerana Beverages, one of the leading craft beer company has launched its new brand of craft beer Bira 91.

The new beers were unveiled by the Ambassador of Belgium His Excellency Jan Luykx.

Speaking on the occasion of the launch Ambassador Luykx said “Belgium is known for its global leadership in beer making. We are home to the largest variety of beer makers, the most passionate brewers and the most innovative beers in the world. Bira 91, positioned by Cerana as a youthful and trendy brand, draws on Belgian beer making expertise and traditions. It is a product that is full of flavour and is delicious. The fact that it has been done by an Indian start up is all the more exciting, because it signals that there are exciting collaborations now being done between independent businesses in India and Belgium.”

Ashvin Chadha, a seasoned early stage investor, who is also an investor in Cerana said, “We love Prime Minister Modi’s call to action with the ‘Make in India’ campaign, and Cerana’s ‘Imagined in India’ slogan is a step in that direction. As an early stage investor in startups, we are noticing a new swagger amongst Indian entrepreneurs who are not afraid to take on the global biggies in their own backyard. Its an exciting time in the Indian startup universe.”

The first product– Bira 91 White is a wheat beer with low bitterness and a hint of spicy citrus with a soft finish. It is a refreshing all day craft beer brewed with the finest all natural ingredients.

The second product introduced at the ceremony is Bira 91 Blonde – an extra hoppy craft lager with floral aromas and a sturdy, malty flavor. The beer is positioned as a refreshing alternative to mass market beers, with craftsmanship in recipe and high quality ingredients.

Both beers have been introduced in draft (tap) and bottle format in Delhi-NCR. The product will be introduced in the Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore market later this month.

“We are excited to make beers that are delicious, and at the same time have a very Indian identity. Gauging by the response today, we feel that the young, Indian consumer finally has a beer that they can call their own – a brand that is close to their hearts but also globally respected. Our target is to reach the young, urban, Indian consumer – perhaps the most exciting, experimental and fun demographic category globally,” shared Ankur Jain, CEO.

Bira 91 calls itself “Imagined in India”.  Speaking on the idea, Jain said, “Bira 91 is unapologetically Indian! Our recipe is Indian. Our packaging, bottles, labels, merchandise all carry the slogan ‘Imagined in India’.  With Bira 91 we aim to create the first global, premim brand of beer with a trendy, fun, Indian identity”.

The products are priced at Rs 150 in retail shops and at approximately Rs 250 to 300 in most bars.