Restaurant India News: Geist Brewing Co Expands to Kerala and Kolkata, Takes Distribution to Five Markets

Geist Brewing Co. has expanded its distribution network into Kerala and Kolkata, adding two new markets to its national footprint. With this move, the craft brewery now sells canned and kegged beers across five markets in India, strengthening its reach in both on-trade and retail channels.

Brewed in Bengaluru, the company follows a controlled cold chain process covering storage, logistics, and service standards to maintain product consistency across markets. In Kerala and Kolkata, its beers are available on tap at select bars, restaurants, and hotels, and in 500 ml cans at retail outlets. In Kolkata, canned products are also available for home delivery through Swiggy.

The canned portfolio for Kolkata includes Geist Repeat Strong (Export-style Lager, ABV less than 8 percent, IBU 24), Geist Kamacitra (American-style India Pale Ale, ABV 6 percent, IBU 43), Geist Uncle Dunkel (German-style Dark Wheat Beer, ABV 5.4 percent, IBU 14), Geist James Blond (Belgian-style Strong Blond Ale, ABV 7.7 percent, IBU 26), and Geist Witty Wit (Belgian-style Witbier, ABV 5 percent, IBU 10). In Kerala, the available canned variants are Geist Repeat Strong (Export-style Lager, ABV less than 8 percent, IBU 24), Geist Uncle Dunkel (German-style Dark Wheat Beer, ABV 5.4 percent, IBU 14), and Geist Witty Wit (Belgian-style Witbier, ABV 5 percent, IBU 10).

Narayan Manepally, Co-Founder and CEO, Geist Brewing Co., said, “At Geist Brewing Co., we have always focused on making craft beer accessible beyond our brewery. Kerala and Kolkata are both exciting markets with such an evolving food and beverage culture and a growing appreciation for quality beer. Kerala has been a natural next step for us in strengthening our presence in the South, while Kolkata marks our first entry into the East. With a clear love for well-made craft beer in both these markets, we are happy to introduce our portfolio as we continue expanding our distribution-led presence across India.”

Founded in 2006, the company operates a near zero liquid discharge brewery in Bengaluru. In 2025, it became the first Indian brewery to win Gold at the European Beer Star Awards for its South German–style dark wheat beer, Geist Uncle Dunkel. This was the second consecutive year the brand was recognised at the global competition.

The business currently operates a 15,000 sq. ft. distribution brewery and runs three owned hospitality outlets across Bengaluru. Its B2B network spans 300 plus on-premise outlets across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, West Bengal, Pondicherry, and Mahe, while its retail distribution covers 600 plus stores across Bengaluru, Kerala, West Bengal, and Pondicherry for its 500 ml canned portfolio. The expansion into Kerala and Kolkata aligns with the company’s distribution-led growth model across high-volume urban and tourism-driven markets.