Restaurant India News: Medusa Beverages Expands to GCC With Local Brewing Model

Medusa Beverages has announced its entry into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region as part of its international expansion roadmap. The company plans to manufacture its beer locally within individual GCC markets through brewing partnerships and will roll out operations across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.

Under this expansion, Medusa will introduce two of its core SKUs — Medusa Premium and Medusa Air — with primary distribution focused on off-trade channels. The company will target supermarkets, bottle shops, and licensed retail outlets as it builds brand presence in the region.

The move comes amid sustained growth in the GCC alcoholic beverages market, which is projected to expand at a CAGR of around 7.5 percent through 2030 and reach up to USD 15.2 billion by 2032. Industry data indicates rising premiumization trends, with increased demand for premium spirits, wines, and craft beer formats. For Indian beer brands, localized brewing partnerships offer a cost-efficient route to market while ensuring regulatory alignment.

Medusa’s GCC strategy reflects a structured pilot model. The company intends to evaluate consumer acceptance, strengthen distribution networks, and establish retail visibility before considering large-scale expansion. By focusing on off-trade initially, the brand can build consistent volume and manage market entry risk while studying consumption behavior in individual countries.

Amardeep Singh, Executive Director, Medusa Beverages, said, “Our entry into the GCC marks an important step in Medusa’s international journey. We are approaching these markets with a structured and measured strategy — building local brewing capabilities, establishing the right partnerships, and laying the foundation for long-term growth. The region presents strong potential given the increasing demand for premium global brands.

At the same time, India remains our core focus and primary growth engine. We continue to see significant expansion opportunities across new states and cities within India, and we will keep investing in deepening our domestic footprint. Our international expansion is a strategic extension of our India success story, not a shift away from it.”

Medusa has scaled rapidly within India by emphasizing brand positioning, consumer-driven product formats, and distribution expansion across states. The GCC rollout signals the company’s intent to replicate its domestic model in international markets by prioritizing localized production, retail channel partnerships, and long-term brand equity development.

Industry analysts note that Indian alcobev brands are increasingly exploring Middle Eastern markets as regulatory frameworks evolve and premium consumption rises. Medusa’s measured entry approach aligns with broader sector trends where companies test demand in high-potential international markets before committing to full-scale operations.