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.
India’s largest taproom chain, Bira 91 Taproom, has introduced a new food and cocktail menu aimed at contemporary Indian diners. The update brings a diverse mix of international cuisines, seasonal ingredients, and inventive cocktails, aligned with the brand’s focus on evolving guest experiences.
The updated food offerings span multiple global influences. Guests can now order dishes inspired by Jakarta’s street food, Spanish tapas bars, and Turkish grills, alongside Himalayan flavours and plant-based options. Menu highlights include Mie Goreng, Indonesian Fried Rice, Grilled Fish Romesco, Prawn a la Plancha, Turkish Shish Taouk, Chicken Sandheko, Pulled Jackfruit Quesadilla, Jackfruit Curry, and classic Chicken Piccata.
On the beverage side, the cocktail menu introduces new signature drinks including the Palomagram, Mango Tai, Botanical Mist, and Taproom Picante — each designed with distinctive citrus, tropical, herbal, or spicy profiles.
Bira 91 Taproom’s ongoing LIIT Fest continues to attract attention, featuring five versions of the Long Island Iced Tea. Variants include the Classic LIIT, Botanical Buzz LIIT, and Electric Brew LIIT, which incorporates an in-house lager beer reduction syrup.
“At Bira 91 Taproom, we’re always pushing boundaries to elevate the guest experience,” said Rahul Singh, SVP, Pubs Vertical, Bira 91. “This menu is a celebration of global flavours and playful creativity — from Turkish kebabs to signature cocktails and the high-energy LIIT Fest. It’s not just a refresh; it’s a whole new vibe.”
With this menu overhaul and ongoing themed events like the LIIT Fest, the chain reinforces its positioning as a destination for craft beer culture and culinary exploration in India’s growing taproom segment.
Craft beer innovation reaches new heights with the launch of Hazy Passion IPA, an extraordinary brew born from the collaboration between Bira 91 Taproom and the pioneering Women’s Brewer Collective.
This limited-edition Hazy IPA is a celebration of craftsmanship, creativity, and the art of brewing, offering a bold and refreshing take on tropical indulgence.
A true paradise in a glass, Hazy Passion IPA pours a mesmerizing golden haze crowned with a soft, pillowy head. It bursts with radiant notes of passion fruit, ripe pineapple, and zesty lemon, thanks to the finest New Zealand hops – Motueka, Superdelic, and Nectaron – masterfully blended with Pineapple Passion yeast. Each sip delivers a luscious, velvety wave of juicy tropical flavors, perfectly balanced by a soft, creamy mouthfeel and a subtle, lingering bitterness that leaves you craving more.
The grand unveiling of Hazy Passion IPA took place at Bira 91 Taproom, Kamala Mills, Mumbai, with an exclusive tasting session that brought together beer lovers, industry insiders, and craft connoisseurs.
This spectacular launch happened on Women’s Day to celebrate the spirit of innovation, inclusivity, and the dynamic women shaping the craft beer industry.
Now available exclusively at Bira 91 Taprooms across Mumbai, this beer is an experience, an ode to innovation, and a tribute to the dynamic women shaping the craft beer industry.
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.
Following the grand success of five outlets across the country, BIRA 91 has proudly launched its second Taproom in Delhi, located at the bustling Pacific Mall in Tagore Garden, West Delhi.
This new venue promises a multi-sensory Taproom experience focused on guest comfort and holistic engagement, making it a haven for beer enthusiasts that truly resonates with the brand’s vibrant characteristics.
The Tagore Garden neighborhood in West Delhi, known for its dynamic young audience, is the perfect setting for BIRA 91's second Taproom in Delhi, following the success of the Taproom at the Commons in DLF Avenue Saket, South Delhi.
“We are thrilled to announce the launch of our second BIRA 91 Taproom in Delhi. This new location represents our continued commitment to providing unique craft beer experiences. Our new Taproom in Delhi offers a diverse range of our finest brews and a vibrant atmosphere, perfect for beer enthusiasts. We are grateful for the incredible support and look forward to welcoming everyone to join us in celebrating this exciting milestone,” shared Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO of BIRA 91.
Building on the successful openings in Bengaluru, Gurgaon, Delhi, and Ludhiana, BIRA 91 Taproom offers the widest collection of craft beers on tap, accompanied by an elaborate food menu curated by celebrity chef Vicky Ratnani.
“The beer revolution in India is currently at an exciting juncture, and opening our second outlet in the Delhi market only strengthens our belief in its potential. With the launch of this Taproom in Pacific Mall Tagore Garden, we aim to bring the joy of flavorful beers to the ever-experimenting neighborhood of West Delhi,” added Rahul Singh, SVP, Pubs Division of BIRA 91.
BIRA 91 Taproom at Tagore Garden is designed to be the perfect leisure zone where guests can unwind after a day’s work or entertain friends and family. The facade, with its vintage shop front, is disrupted by digital displays and signage, creating a welcoming vibe. The aesthetically designed interiors exude warmth and comfort, featuring brick and “beer-hued” handmade tiles that create an earthy yet modern atmosphere, ideal for enjoying an evening with great beer and food.
BIRA 91 TAPROOM is the experiential brewing space introduced by BIRA 91, a leading craft beer brand in India known for its innovative and flavorful beers.
In an innovative collaboration, Bira 91 Taproom and Colocal Chocolates introduced unique beer bonbons on Father’s Day, merging their creative expertise to offer a distinctive treat for the NCR audience. Delhi-based brands, known for their passion for innovation, have crafted an unforgettable experience centered around Bira 91's Malabar Stout and Colocal's single-origin cacao chocolates from Idukki, Kerala.
This partnership showcases the versatility of Bira 91's Malabar Stout, known for its nutty and earthy flavors with coffee notes. Paired with Colocal Chocolates’ medium-roast cacao, the collaboration resulted in exquisite beer bonbons featuring a 60 percent cacao shell and a gooey beer-filled center. This combination perfectly complements the stout's profile, providing a unique and memorable treat.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Colocal Chocolates, leaders in the NCR region's cacao roasting and chocolate making. Our goal is to delight our guests with innovative offerings beyond just beers. This collaboration exemplifies the versatility of beers and highlights their potential to inspire future innovations," said Rahul Singh, Senior Vice President - Pubs Vertical at Bira 91.
Anshi Saxena, Co-Founder of Colocal Chocolates added, “Being a homegrown craft chocolate brand, Colocal loved collaborating with another homegrown brand. The process of experimenting with a new ingredient is always insightful. Liquor-infused bonbons aren’t uncommon. But even for those who’ve tried beer bonbons before, the craft chocolate bonbons made by Colocal infusing Bira 91 Malabar Stout should taste like a delightful surprise. We had the Bira 91 team over at our chocolate factory at Colocal Dhan Mill to make the bonbons from scratch and it was a great learning experience for both teams.”
Bira 91 Taproom and Colocal Chocolates utilized digital platforms to promote this collaboration, highlighting the partnership on their social media channels. On Father’s Day, Bira 91 Taproom offered complimentary beer bonbons to all fathers visiting their locations. These special bonbons are available for purchase until stocks last at Bira 91 Taprooms in DLF Avenue, Saket, and DLF Cyberhub, Gurgaon.
Bira 91 Taprooms continue to enhance their guests' experiences with unique offerings in the food and beverage space. The introduction of beer bonbons from Colocal Chocolates adds a new dimension to their offerings, making each visit to the Taproom exceptional.
Looking ahead, the collaboration between Colocal Chocolates and Bira 91 Taproom promises to bring more innovative creations, blending flavors and chocolates in exciting new ways.
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, one of the world’s fastest-growing beer brands, and NAO Spirits, the disruptors in the Indian craft gin space with their London Dry Gin – Greater Than, have joined forces to launch a Limited Release gin-inspired beer – Greater IPA.
The Greater IPA takes its inspiration from the captivating world of gin botanicals infusing Macedonian Juniper, a key element in Greater Than’s London Dry gin, giving the IPA a bold and spicy twist. Unlike the usual fruity hops found in IPAs, the hops in this brew have a piney character that complements the unique juniper flavor, creating a balanced mix of piney and spicy notes.
The beer will be exclusively available, until stocks last, at Bira 91 Taprooms in Gurugram at the DLF Cyberhub and Bengaluru at Koramangala, starting 14th September 2023.
Commenting on the launch, Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO, Bira 91 said, “We are thrilled to unveil Greater IPA, a Limited Release gin-inspired beer created in collaboration with Greater Than Gin, a crowd-favorite and one of the fastest growing brands in the country. This collaboration reaffirms our commitment to innovation, bringing together two exceptional brands to offer a distinctive and remarkable consumer experience.”
To celebrate the launch, Bira 91 and Greater Than will offer an exclusive cocktail menu and brewer led tastings. Greater IPA will be exclusively available starting 14th September 2023, at Bira 91's Taproom in Cyberhub, Gurgaon and Koramangala, Bengaluru.
“We’re absolutely delighted about this collaboration with the passionate lot of brewers at Bira 91, the trailblazers behind India's craft beer revolution. As the first Craft Gin in India, Greater Than has naturally taken a lot of heart from Bira 91’s success in the country and it made absolute sense to bring our two brands together for something fun,” added Anand Virmani, Co-founder & CEO, NAO Spirits and Beverages Pvt Ltd.
One of the world’s fastest growing beer brand Bira 91 has opened its first Taproom at the upscale DLF CyberHub in Gurugram.
After the launch of two award-winning Taprooms in Bengaluru, this will be the brand’s third launch and the first one in Delhi-NCR region.
“As we continue our journey to build India's largest D2C platform for beer innovation, we are ecstatic to bring the Taproom experience to Delhi NCR. Nestled amidst the buzzing CyberHub in Gurugram, the new Taproom serves as a haven for beer enthusiasts and becomes a catalyst for fostering the beer culture in the city. We are also excited to introduce Delhi NCR to Make Play Thursdays, where we release a new beer every week, actively engaging with consumers to gather feedback, and craft brews that truly resonate with the aspirations of the millennium city,” shared Ankur Jain, Founder, and CEO at Bira 91.
Opening its doors to the public on 28th July 2023, the taproom will feature an impressive selection of 16 beers on tap, carefully crafted to satisfy every palate.
The food menu, curated by renowned Chef Vicky Ratnani, will offer a delectable array of dishes that perfectly complement the beer flavors. Additionally, the Taproom will showcase an extensive variety of specialty cocktails curated exclusively by the popular sommelier Magandeep Singh, offering classic and unique creations to elevate the drinking experience.
The Taproom at CyberHub will also have the first-ever offline Bira 91 Merch Store showcasing some of the most-loved merch from the brand.
“Beer consumption in India thrives at multiple levels, with the out-of-home experience playing a pivotal role in nurturing the country's growing beer culture. The increasing availability of diverse and premium beer options has not only democratized the industry but also shaped the evolving Indian taste palate. Bira 91 has led the beer revolution and with the introduction of Bira 91's latest Taproom in CyberHub, that offers 16 beers on tap, carefully curated food menu and artistically crafted cocktails that will give the city an experience like never before,” added Rahul Singh, Senior Vice President, Pubs at Bira 91.
Bira 91's new Taproom at DLF CyberHub spreads across an area of 3700 sq. ft and can accommodate over 120 people. The interiors draw inspiration from the brewing process of beers, dedicating four unique murals each to harvesting, milling, brewing, fermenting, and sipping. The Taproom's overall aesthetic perfectly embodies the brand's creative, playful, and vibrant nature, with the ceiling, murals, and lighting incorporating its distinctive colors and patterns.
The Taproom will serve as a venue for live experiences, including music, sports screenings, pub quizzes, and engaging beer education workshops and tastings.
Crocs, a renowned global brand known for its creative and laid-back footwear, will introduce a vibrant limited-edition collaboration with the Bira91 Merch store.
Crocs is embarking on its second collaboration in India. This alliance with Bira91 reinforces both brands' commitment to inspiring creators and encouraging imaginative expression.
The limited-edition Bira91XCrocs Classic Unisex Clog, designed specifically for urban Indians, embodies Crocs' inclusive philosophy of embracing individuality.
This partnership brings together India's most talented creative minds to celebrate and honor the spirit of artistic expression.
“We wish to contribute to India’s creative community with an unique design based upon India’s unique and playful personality by working with notable culture creators. The Bira91XCrocs collaboration embodies Bira91’s vibrancy and reflectsCrocs’ commitment to self-expression.” said Sumit Dhingra, Vice President & General Manager, Crocs India & SEA.
As part of the launch campaign, Crocs has collaborated with India's leading creative talents to create an engaging teaser video.
Accompanying the music are the lively illustrations by artist Nori Norbhu, adding a vibrant visual dimension to the video.
Crocs carefully selected these artists for their distinct styles and significant contributions to India's cultural and creative landscape.
“We are delighted to announce our collaboration with Crocs, a renowned global brand, that shares our brand ethos of being creative, playful, and colorful. With the limited-edition Bira91XCrocs Classic Unisex Clogs, we aim to combine the best of both worlds, and provide consumers with an experience that transcends boundaries. This partnership with
Crocs takes us a step closer towards that goal.” said Ankur Jain, Founder, and CEO at Bira 91.
The highly collection will officially launch on June 17th and will be exclusively available on the official Crocs web store. Priced at INR 5995, the Bira91 X Crocs Classic Unisex Clogs can be purchased at select Crocs stores, Superkicks.in, www.crocs.com, the Bira91 Merch store, and vegnonveg.com.
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 premium beer company Bira 91 has raised $10 Million from MUFG Bank, Ltd. (MUFG Bank), Japan's largest bank.
This is investment showcases a strong belief in Bira 91 and its growth potential.
“MUFG Bank has consistently invested in the India growth story. The Indian beer market is booming, owing to factors such as changing lifestyle of consumers, a growing preference for the alcoholic beverage and rising brand consciousness regarding imported and premium beers. We are proud to collaborate with Bira 91, the world’s fastest growing premium beer brand,” shared Yasuhide Hayashi, Executive Officer, MUFG Bank by adding that with this partnership they are eager to work with the Bira 91 team to further their growth story and enhance their footprint n India as well as across the globe.
The investment comes after the company recently raised $70 million in Series-D funding round, led by Japanese beer company Kirin Holdings Co.
With this investment, Bira 91 will continue to ramp up its production, bolster supply chain and enhance innovation capabilities. As one of the fastest growing brands in the world, the company has built a diverse portfolio of award-winning beers and aims to drive the global shift in beer towards more color and flavor.
“We are truly excited to partner with MUFG Bank. As Japan’s largest bank with an extremely strong footprint, we believe that this partnership can help Bira 91 tap into global pools of capital as it continues on its growth journey,” added Ankur Jain, CEO, Bira 91.
As the fourth-largest beer company in the country, Bira 91 holds a market share of 5% across key markets in India, tripling its pre-covid numbers. With 5 manufacturing facilities in the country, Bira 91 holds a combined manufacturing footprint of about 2.5 million hectolitres along with a strong presence across 550 towns and 18 countries worldwide.
One of the fastest growing premium beer brand, Bira 91 has announced its foray into the Hard Seltzers category with the launch of ‘Grizly’ Hard Seltzer Ale.
The launch comes shortly after the introduction of ‘Hill Station’ Hard Cider Ale and is part of the brand’s ambition to move beyond beers to cater to the evolving preferences of young consumers.
“Consumers are exploring beyond traditional beverage categories more than ever before. And, are also looking to explore new flavors and get creative with their beverage choices, and young adults want beverages that are low in alcohol and calories. With Grizly, we hope to plug the gap in the market for beverages that are low in alcohol, healthier and delicious,” shared Ankur Jain, CEO, of Bira 91.
As young adults become increasingly health-conscious, they are on the lookout for ‘better for you’ beverage options that allow them to indulge in their favorite flavors. This trend towards a healthier living has created a massive growth opportunity for the Seltzer category.
Grizly Hard Seltzer Ales are all-natural, low sugar, drinks that infuse finest herbs and fruits that nature has an offer with alcohol. Available in three flavors, these seltzers have been masterfully twisted by expert mixologists and are highly sessionable. Grizly is available in three flavors - Pineapple & Okinawa, Peach & Black Tea, and Blueberry & Rosemary.
Minakshi Singh, Co-founder, Sidecar, said, “Working with Bira 91 was an incredible experience. We got our best mixologists on board to be creative and experiment with the best flavors to create, Grizly Hard Seltzer Ale, a drink that is perfect for today’s generation of consumers looking for healthier and flavorful options. Grizly is inspired by the best cocktails across the globe and we cannot wait for everyone to try it!"
Grizly Hard Seltzers will be available in 330ml pints and 500ml cans across Bengaluru, starting INR 170 for Peach & Black Tea and Blueberry + Rosemary and INR 180 for Pineapple + Okinawa Sugar.
One of the fastest growing beer company Bira 91 has made its foray into beyond beers with the launch of Hill Station, a category of Hard Cider Ales.
The launch is part of the company’s move to bring new categories beyond beers, in congruence with the increasing demand for ready-to-drink options and a growing generation of consumers enthusiastic about experimenting with new flavors.
“Over the last few years, the preferences of young Indian consumers have shifted drastically, and they are now keen on exploring newer categories, including Ciders. With Hill Station Hard Cider Ales, we aim to become the first major cider brand in the country and expand the category for this beverage,” shared Ankur Jain, CEO, of Bira 91.
Hill Station Hard Cider Ales will have three flavors of hard ciders in its portfolio - Himalayan Apple Original (5.3% ABV), Himalayan Apple Strong (7.5% ABV), and Himalayan Apple Berry Twist (5.3% ABV).
“With ‘House of Bira 91’, we are continually looking to explore beverage categories that are growing rapidly and recruit consumers from the larger beverage space. The launch of Hill Station Hard Cider Ales gives us an exciting opportunity to expand Bira 91’s portfolio and pioneer the growth of beverages in the Indian premium segment,” added Jain.
The portfolio of Hill Station Hard Cider Ales will be available in 330ml bottles and cans across Bengaluru, priced at INR 150.
Bira 91 also offers branded merchandise across categories such as glassware, apparel, and gifts, to make every day a lot more playful. Established in 2015, Bira 91 is driven by a dynamic team of over 600 passionate beer lovers and is backed by Sequoia Capital India, Sofina of Belgium, and Kirin Holding of Japan.
One of the world’s fastest-growing beer company Bira 91 has announced the launch of RISE, the country’s first-ever premium rice strong lager.
Bira 91 RISE is a premium rice lager in the Asian tradition. Elevated with local rice from India, the beer is dry, light on the palate and has a brilliant sparkle.
“India has a very strong rice affinity, and for the creation of RISE, we have used rice grains sourced from the coastal parts of India as the core ingredient combined with Sorachi Ace hops from Japan. Our brewing team keenly focuses on developing flavors that have a strong local connect and provide unique experiences to consumers. We are excited to launch RISE - India’s first-ever rice strong lager and are confident that RISE will be a game-changer in the premium strong beer category,” shared Ankur Jain, Founder, and CEO, of Bira 91.
With less than 8% abv, this refreshing thirst quencher embraces the Sorachi Ace hops from Japan, which gives the beer its eccentric and fine subtle lemon citrus aromas.
RISE caters to the new generation of Indian consumers who seek flavors and adds a new dimension to Bira 91’s existing portfolio of seven distinct flavors.
Packed with a light body, clean and crisp texture, RISE makes for a highly sessionable drink. The rice base ensures that the beer is dry and light on the palate, while the Sorachi Ace hops give it its pleasing citrus aromas. RISE can be paired well with curries, spicy dishes, and barbeque, as rice beers work well as palate-cleansers.
Bira 91 RISE will be available in 330ml & 650ml bottles and 500ml cans across metropolitan cities in India.
Bira 91, one of the world’s fastest-growing premium beer company, has raised $70 million in Series D funding, in a round led by leading Japanese beer company - Kirin Holdings.
The investment from Kirin Holdings comes at a time when the demand for beer is witnessing a massive surge and the company continues to strengthen its national & global presence as it aims to cement its leadership position in the premium beer market.
“India has embarked on its Golden Decade of growth. As the fifth largest economy in the world, with increasing digitalization, and a stable, growth-oriented government, we are very excited to invest further in the “Make in India” journey for the country. We believe that Bira 91 has the potential to premiumize Indian beer through innovation by brewing the highest quality products for the country’s consumers. We also believe that over the long term, Bira 91 has the potential to break out internationally as a global brand,” shared Hiromasa Honda, Managing Director, Kirin Holdings Singapore.
The funds will be deployed to expand production capacity by commissioning new breweries and expanding its existing facilities. The capital will also be utilized to increase the company’s distribution footprint across the country and internationally, and further bolster Bira 91’s product development and innovation capabilities.
“We are delighted to see Kirin Holdings doubling down on India and our company. We have forged a special partnership with Kirin that goes beyond capital and is driven by our long-term purpose – our purpose to drive the shift in beer towards more flavor, our purpose to become global leaders in innovation and sustainability,” added Ankur Jain, CEO, and Founder of B9 Beverages.
Bira 91 recently announced its goal to become the country’s first carbon-neutral beer company and has formed the B9-Kirin Center for Sustainable Growth based out of its New Delhi headquarters, where technical and strategy experts from Kirin are helping the Indian company with its Net Zero goal.
In the last few years, Bira 91 has witnessed tremendous growth. As one of the youngest players in the market, the brand has secured a double-digit share in several key markets and emerged as the fourth-largest beer company in India. The company launched in 2015, has a portfolio of 10 diverse flavors in its portfolio, along with many seasonal beers released in its tap rooms. The company recently announced an acquisition of the largest beer-pub chain in the country – The Beer Café. The company has a presence across 550 towns in 18 countries across the globe.
One of the world’s fastest-growing premium beer company Bira 91 has announced the second phase of ‘Imagined in India’, a portfolio of three new limited-release beers - Fest Oktoberfest Lager, Fireworks Hoppy Wheat, and Diwali Vintage Scotch Ale.
These limited release beers have been crafted as the perfect companions for the festive season and are set to elevate the celebrations across the country.
“After the massive success of the first phase, we are thrilled to launch the second phase of ‘Imagined in India’ portfolio, furthering our proposition of bringing experimental and flavorful beers to Indian consumers. Our brewers have used never-seen-before ingredients like peated malts to bring a unique combination of flavors that is apt for the upcoming festive season and celebrations,” shared Ankur Jain, Founder, and CEO, of Bira 91.
Keeping the ‘Imagined in India’ tradition intact, Bira 91 has continued its collaboration with emerging artists for designing the beer packaging for the second phase of the series, to celebrate the booming creative spirit in the subcontinent.
Moreover, the brand has taken its tradition of collaborations up a notch this time by collaborating with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to launch – limited release Oktoberfest Lager beer inspired by the HBO Original series House of the Dragon, the successor series to Game of Thrones.
“Bira 91 and the House of the Dragon coming together is the perfect recipe for a blockbuster! We are delighted to partner with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products and celebrate the ongoing popular series House of the Dragon with the launch of our limited release beer, ‘Fest’. With Diwali Vintage, we bring India’s first scotch ale, a perfect partner for the festive celebrations and we take the festivities a notch above with Fireworks, which is a truly unusual take on wheat beers,” he added.
These Limited Release beers will be available in 330ml bottles and 500ml cans across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Pune.
One of the world’s fastest-growing premium beer brand Bira91 has acquired Alco-Beverage Chain The Beer Café.
With this move, Bira 91 will strengthen its play in pubs and taprooms and build India’s first large scale direct-to-consumer platform focused on Beer & Innovation.
The closing of the transaction is subject to customary terms and conditions as provided under the transaction agreements.
“We are delighted to onboard The Beer Café and build India’s first large scale direct-to-consumer platform focused on Beer & Innovation. Both Bira 91 and The Beer Café were conceived with the same intent of evangelizing and elevating the beer experience in the country and with this acquisition, together we aim to catalyse the growth of beer culture in India,” shared Ankur Jain, Founder, and CEO, of Bira 91.
According to the terms, Bira 91 will leverage its infrastructure, experience, and expansion capabilities to further refine The Beer Café’s strong operating model and better serve its loyal and passionate base of beer enthusiasts.
The Beer Café’s management with Rahul Singh, CEO, and Founder at the helm, will continue to lead the brand’s operations and take the complete responsibility of the newly formed restaurant vertical.
“We are thrilled to have found a partner in Bira 91 to proffer the beer culture in India. The Beer Café has a strong consumer base that is loyal & passionate towards the brand. We have a strong operating model, and by leveraging on the strengths of Bira 91, we will be able to enhance the consumer experience and take the brand to newer heights,” added Rahul Singh, Founder, and CEO of The Beer Café.
The future of Bira 91’s restaurant vertical will involve a combination of strengthening The Beer Café’s offerings with its expertise while continuing to expand the Bira 91 Taproom experience to increase the base of Bira 91 loyalists.
The pub chain has a presence of 33 outlets in 15 cities across Tier 1/2/3 cities at key locations including Malls, High Street and Transit Hubs. Bira 91 will add to The Beer Café brand by improving the consumer offerings with its knack of delivering consumer delight and The Beer Café outlets will help Bira 91 penetrate deeper into the restaurant space, strengthen the beer fans universe and create a novel beer culture in the country.
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 19th September on the Bira 91 Merch Shop.
House of the Dragon streams on Disney+ Hotstar in India with new episodes available every Monday.
One of the world’s fastest growing premium beer company Bira91 has partnered with global wellness brand, VAHDAM® India to launch the Chamomile Tea Lager, a one-of-a-kind tea-based beer.
Brewed to perfection, the beer is a unique rendition that takes the flavor innovation game in the industry to a whole new level and will be exclusively available at Bira 91 Limited Release Taproom in Koramangala and Bengaluru International Airport starting September 8, 2022.
“With consumer’s penchant to try new flavors and combinations, I’m looking forward to consumer’s response to taking teas to the beer space” said Bala Sarda, Founder, VAHDAM® India.
The Chamomile Tea Lager has been brewed with a special blend of high-quality green tea, pure chamomile, and dried orange peels, which makes this beer crisp, zesty and refreshing.
“We are extremely excited to partner with VAHDAM India and bring a concoction of two of India’s most loved drinks, Tea and Beer, the Chamomile Tea Lager. At Bira 91, we believe in forging partnerships with like-minded, homegrown brands that are working towards pushing the envelope to curate bespoke experiences for consumers,” added Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO, Bira 91.
The Chamomile Tea lager debuts at Bira 91 Taproom in Bangalore on Sep 10, 2022. Bira 91 Taproom is the company's innovation hub where a new beer is released every week. The launch of this beer will see tasting sessions and offers as well as live performances by artists like Aditi Ramesh and Kenneth Moses.
One of the world’s fastest-growing beer brand Bira 91 has appointed Meghna Agrawal as the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President - Finance.
In this role, Meghna will drive the global finance function at Bira 91 and will be a key partner in the strategic direction of the business and build the company for its next phase of growth.
“I am truly excited to welcome Meghna to Bira 91. Her strong track record in leadership roles in the finance function at the largest listed alcobev player in India, as well as her experience in global markets will be valuable in steering Bira 91 in its next phase of growth as the most profitable alcobev company in India, with global quality financial processes. I look forward to a strong partnership with her as we steer the company through this exciting phase,” shared Ankur Jain, Founder, and CEO, Bira 91.
Prior to joining Bira 91, Meghna was VP - Finance at Diageo India and spent nearly a decade in various finance leadership roles in the company. Under her leadership, Diageo India went through a significant transition improving profitability, return on capital, and establishing global quality business processes.
“I am thrilled to join Bira 91. I have been an admirer of how the company has revolutionized the beer category in India and has been a leader in innovation. I look forward to working with the larger team to deliver on its ambition, fast-track growth, and create value for all stakeholders,” added Megha.
Bira 91 has been growing at an average CAGR of nearly 110% over the last decade and is now present in over 600 cities and 18 countries across the globe.
Beer brand Bira 91 has partnered with Japan’s Far Yeast Brewing Company to launch its first Gose style beer, Yuzu Gose Sour.
Traditionally, a Gose-style beer is a wheat beer which features low hop bitterness and refreshing crispness.
“We are extremely excited to partner with Far Yeast Brewing Company, and launch the Yuzu Gose Sour, a beer that is a unique blend of Indian and Japanese flavors. This collaboration brings together Bira 91 and Far Yeast Brewery’s passion for experimenting with new beer styles and our brewer’s relentless pursuit to continue innovating and bringing diverse flavors to consumers,’ shared Deepak Sinha, VP, Marketing, Bira 91.
The ‘Yuzu Gose Sour’ has been brewed from a combination of flavors of Himalayan Pink Salt sourced from India and the peel of Yuzu, a traditional Japanese citrus fruit cultivated in Japan’s Kochi Prefecture region and is used to make Kagua – a popular Japanese ale.
“Beer/Craft Beer culture is similar in Indian and Japan in a sense that, we are both uniquely innovating the craft beer culture from USA. We are both the leaders of this new world. I wish that this cross collaboration will be the first step to elevate the unique craft beer culture in the new world,” added Shiro Yamada, CEO, Far Yeast Brewery.
The beer is dropping at the Bira 91 Limited Release Taproom in Koramangala, Bangalore today, 2nd June 2022.
Beer brand Bira 91 has launched ‘Imagined in India’, a portfolio of four new limited-release beers – Bollywood IPA, Kokum Sour, Brown Ale, and Mango Lassi – crafted with indigenous ingredients to tickle the Indian taste buds.
‘Imagined in India’ is inspired by the raw creativity of today’s India led by emerging artists, entrepreneurs, and startups combined with the cradle of flavors that find a home here.
“For this generation of consumers, beer means flavor, and we deliver on that promise. ‘Imagined in India’ is an attempt to bring together the many flavors of India and its creative energy fueled by emerging artists, entrepreneurs, and startups,” shared Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO, Bira 91.
According to him, each of these flavors originated at the Bira 91 Limited-release Taproom at Koramangala, Bengaluru, where they received tremendous consumer love and affinity.
To bring alive the flavors, Bira 91 has collaborated with Kulture Co., a curated platform spearheading the new wave of Indian Graphic Art across borders.
The ‘Imagined in India’ limited release beers will be available in 330ml bottles and 500ml cans across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune.
One of the fastest growing beer brands in the world, Bira91 is instilling a beer first culture within the organisation.
The sales and marketing team at Bira 91 enrolled to participate in the Cicerone Certification Program, that is a series of four professional certification exams starting with the Certified Beer Server and ending with the top-level Master Cicerone.
“We are building a beer-first culture at our company. The first step towards that is to ensure that we develop our sales team to be the most knowledgeable team around different beer styles, beer making and beer service,” said Ankur Jain, Founder & CEO.
With roots in the North American craft beer movement and in-depth coverage of classic European beer culture, the Cicerone program has become the global standard for assessing beer professionals since its launch in 2008.
Bira 91’s Cicerone Certification program was designed in the summer of 2020 when teams were working remotely - it was not only designed to help build education on beer flavour, service and style, but also help the team connect the learnings to the beers in Bira 91’s portfolio.
“We wanted our teams to understand beer as a category. In Cervesio Felicitas (In Beer there is Joy) is the motto of our Bira 91 B-School for Learning. The Cicerone certifications are a proof of our passion for beer, and we’re excited to build a team of beer geeks,” added Swayampriya Shah, VP, Human Resource & Administration.
Twenty one employees of Bira 91’s India team have qualified the Level 1 of the Cicerone Certification Program - Certified Beer Server. This is approximately 40% of all Certified Beer Servers in India, and this number will only grow in 2021 as the program will be conducted in batches twice a year across functions.
“Bira 91 is taking the lead in quality beer service through their education initiative with the Cicerone program," said Ray Daniels, Founder & Director of the Cicerone Certification Program. "As a result of their efforts, their staff will be prepared to provide all customers with an informative and enjoyable experience. They are the first organisation in SE Asia to be taking up a full and thorough implementation of the program”.
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.
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.
B9 Beverages, a Delhi-based craft beer company, raised a $6 Mn round led by Sequoia with participation from a select set of super angels including Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal from Snapdeal, Deepinder Goyal from Zomato, Ashish Dhawan of ChrysCapital, and Mayank Singhal from Temasek, reported INC 42.
This is a first for a blue chip venture capital firm to invest in an alcoholic beverage brand in India. Traditionally, stringent government regulations and political intrusions have kept investors away from this sector in India. However, this home-grown beer brand has managed to be an exception and attract the attention of the Silicon Valley based VC firm as well as other tech entrepreneurs and investors.
The company has an on-premise “tap-first” launch strategy across bars and restaurants and offers two variants of its specialty craft beer, Bira Blonde and Bira White.
Bira91 was launched in February 2015, and is today present across seven cities in India, growing at a 30 per cent clip month on month. The company has an Uber-like City CEO model and has already achieved 70 per cent penetration across all its markets including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Goa, Pune and Chandigarh.
“Despite having never developed a taste for beer, I was fascinated by the unique flavors of Bira91. As I got to know the brand better, I discovered them to be a perfect blend of a great product backed by solid branding and a very smart go-to-market strategy. That is perhaps what led to Sequoia’s belief in Bira91.” said Mayank Singhal, an early stage investor in Bira91 who has also backed companies such as OS Labs, formerly FirsTouch and Hugefly.
The company was founded by Ankur Jain, a beer enthusiast and serial entrepreneur who ran and sold a healthcare start-up in New York before he returned to India to explore his love for all things beer. The company’s top leadership team comprises of seasoned executives from within and outside the industry, including brands like Carlsberg and Sab-Miller.
Bira91 has undertaken significant efforts to understand the gaps in India’s beer market, including the absence of high quality specialty and craft beers at affordable price points. Bira91 worked with breweries in Belgium to address the gaps in the Indian market.
The company is looking to expand to a number of cities and become the largest specialty beer brand in India with plans of setting up production facilities across the country.
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.
Food and BeverageOnce considered an uncommon product, brown bread has gained popularity in many health-conscious households due to its lower glycemic index, increased…
Celebrity endorsementAccording to Solaire’s official Instagram page, the restaurant will have the finest blend of ingredients and interiors and will feature a wide…
Dry FruitsJust add them gradually, and you’ll start to feel the difference. For those looking for a natural, tasty, and nutritious snack, macadamia nuts are…
Food TrendMatcha tea is more than a popular drink. It is a natural way to support good health. Many people are unaware of the significant benefits it can offer…
Copyright © 2009 - 2025 Restaurant India.