Taj Hotels may soon have an in-house microbrewery

ICB-Indian Craft Brewery is the newest microbrewery in Bengaluru. Spread across two acres, ICB's 1,500-seater microbrewery located near Manyata Tech Park Nagavara, Bengaluru.

Inspired by India's ancient brewing traditions, local ingredients, and rich culinary flavors, the microbrewery offers a distinctively Indian food and beverage experience that distinguishes it from other microbreweries in the country.

To drive beer innovations, the microbrewery has established a dedicated research and development (R&D) center in Belgium. Antonio Rodriguez-Giralt, a renowned name in the world of brewing, is the master brewer who crafts its beers, and one of its signature brews will be a line of premium non-alcoholic beers called Ramanujan, which pays tribute to India's renowned math genius.

 “ICB-Indian Craft Brewery is a groundbreaking endeavor to reinvent the craft beer experience in India by connecting with our country’s roots and our rich cultural and culinary heritage. With our dedicated craftsmanship and a team of seasoned brewmasters, including a master brewer from Costa Rica, and culinary experts, including a former master chef at ITC Hotels’s flagship restaurant, we've perfected the art of creating unique flavors and experiences that are global and yet deeply rooted in India’s rich history and are truly a class apart from what any other microbrewery in India offers," commented Gopi Chand Cherukuri, Co- Founder, ICB-Indian Craft Brewery.

The brand plans to open the second outlet in January. Given that ICB will also function as a distinctive cultural hub for indulging in and enjoying uncommon Indian food experiences, the brewery's opening sets a new standard in Bengaluru's renowned beer and dining scene. 

Optimistic Capital, an Indian investment firm founded by ISB alumni, has introduced the country's first Rs 200 crore microbrewery-focused fund. The fund aims to provide investors with a unique opportunity to enter the growing microbrewery sector, focusing on key hospitality markets such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune.

The microbrewery fund is designed to capitalize on the rising profitability of craft beer establishments and the sector’s overall growth. Industry projections indicate that by 2030, the number of microbreweries in India could exceed 1,000, marking a threefold increase from 2024. In Bengaluru, where there are currently over 80 microbreweries, most report profit margins above 20 percent. Furthermore, international alcohol companies are actively investing in and partnering with local microbreweries to expand their presence in the Indian market.

Bengaluru's regulatory environment has also played a role in the sector's growth, with the government extending operating hours for F&B outlets to 1 a.m. and easing licensing requirements. The minimum space needed for microbreweries has been reduced from 10,000 sq. ft. to 6,500 sq. ft., making it easier for new entrants to join the industry.

Jeff Jose, General Partner at Optimistic Capital said, "The microbrewery sector in India is witnessing significant growth, driven by the increasing demand for craft beers and experiential dining. With more tier I and tier II cities experiencing this shift, our fund is positioned to leverage the opportunities in this growing sector."

Karthik Chandrasekaran, General Partner at Optimistic Capital and Co-Founder of several microbreweries added, "Microbreweries offer a unique environment that caters to a wide range of consumers, regardless of age or socio-economic background. The larger space required for beer production, combined with the flexibility to adapt menus and craft beers, ensures the long-term viability of the microbrewery model compared to traditional F&B formats."

Optimistic Capital's fund is backed by four founding partners, each bringing a diverse range of expertise. Karthik Chandrasekaran, co-founder of URU Brewpark, GCBC, and Record Room in Bengaluru, has extensive experience in the microbrewery space. Jeff Jose has a background in sales and marketing at Kellogg Company in Africa and has advised CXOs of Burger King and Popeyes in the APAC region. Varun Krishnan, with corporate finance and project management experience at Siemens, has managed large-scale microbreweries, focusing on financial strategy. Edwin Daniel has led revenue at Branch International, a $600 million micro-bank, and had successful exits from Myra (acquired by Medlife) and Branch.

The Rs 200 crore fund represents a significant step for Optimistic Capital in advancing India’s microbrewery sector within the hospitality industry, tapping into the increasing demand for craft beer and diverse dining experiences.

In a delicious collaboration that marries the best of Indian cocoa beans with innovative craft brew experiences, Ironhill India announced its collaboration with GoGround Beans & Spices today. 

This collaboration aims to celebrate the richness and quality of Indian cocoa beans while exploring new frontiers in the craft beer segment.

"Through our partnership with Ironhill India, we're thrilled to bring the Indian cocoa beans into the spotlight. It is a well-known fact that Indian cocoa beans are renowned for their unique and distinct flavour profile, characterized by rich, earthy undertones with subtle hints of fruity and floral notes. They offer a versatile brewing experience, allowing for the creation of beers that have a harmonious blend of chocolatey richness and subtle undertones, providing a sensory experience that is distinctly Indian,” shared Luca Beltrami, Co-founder of GoGround Beans & Spices. 

Ironhill India is one of the premier craft brewery that is one of the fastest growing brands in the country. Headed by Teja Chekuri, the brand has made strides in building the segment and taking the art of craft brewing to the next level.  

With the collaboration with GoGround Beans & Spices they add another cocoa infused brew to its mix. Established in 2015 by Luca Beltrami and his wife, Ellen, GoGround Beans & Spices has been at the forefront of supporting cocoa farmers in Kerala's Idduki region. Their mission extends beyond mere commerce; they strive to enhance farm yield, modernize production techniques, and uplift the socio-economic status of smallholder farmers in the region. 

"Craft beer is a realm where innovation is only limited by your imagination. By incorporating Indian cocoa beans into our brews, we're not only elevating the flavor profile but also shedding light on the incredible potential of Indian agricultural produce and native beans that are pleasing to the Indian palate,” added Teja Chekuri, Managing Partner, Ironhill India.

Dearie, a restaurant, bar, and brewery is open in the central area of Gardens Galleria Mall, Noida, Sector 38, establishing itself as one of the largest brewery destinations in Noida. It is founded in 2022 by industry expert Akshay Chauhan.

Dearie serves as a testament to his vision, offering an European atmosphere where guests can relax, enjoy dishes from various cuisines with craft beers.

“Whether you're a beer connoisseur or simply someone seeking an extraordinary culinary experience, Dearie invites you to indulge in the finest craft beers and a delightful menu, all set within an ambiance that exudes European luxury.” said, Akshay Chauhan, Founder of Dearie.

Dearie has its array of craft beers which are brewed and aged for a precise duration of 22 days to attain perfection.

The brewery places great emphasis on upholding quality standards and procures the finest-grade ingredients directly from Germany.

This meticulous sourcing ensures that every brew encapsulates the essence of European artisanal craftsmanship.

These components encompass malted barley, predominantly German Pilsner or Munich malts, hops that showcase German varieties such as Hallertau, Tettnang, or Saaz, water, and yeast, often utilizing German lager yeast strains.

Dearie provides an extensive selection of beers designed to suit a wide range of tastes.

This includes their distinctive "Brewmaster Available" brew, as well as a range of lagers, wheat beers, a bold IPA, and even seasonal flavored choices, ensuring a fresh and thrilling experience for patrons.

Bengaluru-based BLR Brewing Co has recently collaborated for something unique and flavorful to introduce their latest collaboration craft beer: Hazelnut Stout.

Crafted with precision and a commitment to excellence, this bold beer showcases the artistry of both brewing and coffee-making. It is rich and roasty, with a smooth and creamy finish. It has a distinctive coffee aroma and flavor, while the hazelnut and chocolate flavours are very well balanced from the start till the finish.

“Working with Bonomi to create the Hazelnut Stout has been a remarkable experience. The craftsmanship and dedication demonstrated by the Bonomi team have elevated the quality of this brew to new heights. We are confident that stout lovers will appreciate the unique flavor profile we have achieved,” shared Prasanna Kumar, Co-Founder of BLR Brewing Co.

With an ABV content of 6.3% and an IBU score of 28, this brew offers a delightful balance of bitterness and smoothness.

“Our collaboration with BLR Brewing Co. on the Hazelnut cold brew stout has been an incredible journey, resulting in a harmonious fusion of coffee and beer flavors. Working closely with the passionate team of BLR Brewing Co including Vivek and Umang has been an amazing and fulfilling experience, feeling our enthusiasm for creating exceptional craft beverages,” added Vardhman, Co-Founder of Bonomi.

Pairing options with the brew include an array of delectable bar bites, perfectly complementing the flavors and enhancing the overall experience at the brewery.

The American Stout joins an impressive lineup of brews at BLR Brewing Co. from the classic Hefeweizen, Belgian Wit and Farmhouse to the rich Nitro Stout, seasonal Mango Blonde, Summer Session Ale and more from their menu to expand your palate. All craft beers are brewed by Head Brewer, Umang Nair expertise in hand-crafted beers.

This special edition beer will be available only for a limited time at the JP Nagar branch of BLR Brewing Co.

Good news for fresh beer lovers in Ghaziabad, who previously had to drive far to get their fill. RDC’s first microbrewery, Hit A Pint, is now brewing and pouring in Ghaziabad.

Hit a Pint is one of the largest microbreweries in Ghaziabad, which produces 3000 liters of fresh beer in a month.

The brewery sources its beer malt water from Germany, with flavours curated to suit the Indian palate. Hit A Pint serves a variety of beers, including craft beer.

“As a microbrewery and restaurant owner, my goal is to create a unique and memorable experience for every customer. From the quality of our craft beer to the freshness of our ingredients, we strive to exceed expectations and leave a lasting impression. We believe that good food and good beer bring people together, and we're proud to be a part of that tradition,” shared Siddharth Chaudhary, Founder, Hit A Pint.

Hit A Pint will offer a variety of freshly brewed beers and cocktails along with a diverse and rich menu, which is curated by F&B experts, CYK Hospitalities.  CYK has offered its services from ideation to execution, including conceptualization, menu engineering, chef hiring, SOP formation, business plan, food costing, uniform designing, logo designing, and branding work.

Besides fresh beers, Hit A Pint serves handcrafted cocktails and delicious delicacies. With an array of delicious food paired with craft beers, the place offers one of the best dining experiences around.

Hotel The Royal Plaza is all set to open its largest Microbrewery- “Royal Brewery Bistro” in Delhi, serves craft beer made from the finest German malts, brewed by our skilled brewer in various flavours of Lager, Stout, Belgian Wit & German wit Beer made out of German and Austrian hops.

Our passion and love for beer led us on the path to make the perfect brew. We aspired to make a beer which would complement folks and unite like-minded people for more in-depth conversations. Refreshing beer, rich food and foot-tapping music lift you to larger than living spaces." said Ashwinder Kaur, (Director of PR & Guest Relations).

“We believe that people are looking for space because there isn't one wherein there is a relaxed location that allows them to congregate, unwind, enjoy a beer, and hang out with their friends all year round. Beer is truly adored in this city. We expect microbrewery beer consumption to grow to 175-200 litres per month,” said Chetan Kapoor, (Deputy General Manager).

“Craft beer is a revolution in India and we invite everyone to be a part of it. We like to experiment with our food and beer, not for the sake of it, but for the fun of it," added Mr. Chetan.

The Royal Brewery Bistro serves beers inspired by the ultimate flavours from the region and made from the best local ingredients and brewed by experienced international and Indian brewmasters.

BLR Brewing Co. has launched its third outlet in JP Nagar.

Spread across three locations in the Garden city – Bengaluru, theme of the place talks about 5 elements: Earth, Water, Air, Fire & Space all together in one place.

Touch of red-bricked walls, Mashaal lighted during the night and live music in the evenings. The space is spread across two floors, indoors and an imposing rooftop to enjoy the breezy weather of Bangalore.

“Demand for craft beer is rapidly emerging and Beer is becoming more of a lifestyle beverage so we thought why don’t we do a series of collaborations this year as part of our launch of the new property. Our newest location in JP Nagar is a brewers hub wherein brands from all over the world will be brewing craft brews here. We have collaborated with several breweries from Maharashtra and we look forward to having more such collaborations across the globe,” shared Prasanna Kumar, Co-Founder, BLR Brewing Co.

The brewery caters to different tastes and flavour preferences of beer lovers and is experimenting with local ingredients for crafting the perfect recipes so that one can taste what those ingredients are all about. 

Starting with twelve different styles of house-brewed beers amongst which six will be crafted by the breweries and brewers across India. Some of them are Bombay Duck Brewing, Kimaya Brewing Co., 2 Down Beer Co., Igloo craft beer and more brands across the globe are in the pipeline.

Experimenting a fusion of caffeine and beer with South Bangalore based coffee brand Benki is something that makes it one of a kind experience. All of which will be available at all the outlets of BLR Brewing Co. across Bangalore.

The brewery also has 6 in-house variants to offer - Belgian WIT, Farm house, Hefeweizen (a type of Weiss beer), Alphonso Ale, Nitro Stout and Nelson IPA brewed by Head Brewer Umang Nair, expertise in hand-crafted beers.

Blends are everything in the world of whiskeys and a master blender selects casks to draw liquor from & blends them to manage flavor profile of the release or to create amazing new & complex whiskeys. While Beer blends are less obvious but when one goes to Brussels, they will find a Lambic brewery that makes sour beer & releases its various blends.

Stouts are known to be mixed with lagers to create black & tan and historically, beers were blended to create different cuts for the common folks & the nobility. So, keeping with tradition & adding a modern spin.

Gateway Brewing Co. has launched inspired blends that are an exciting array of berry beery bends masterfully created by founder Navin Mittal and Brewer Swati Shinde.

First one in the Inspired Blends series is Black & Tan a classic with a modern twist! Instead of using a stout, the mix of the very popular Munich Lager & Mumbai Porter is here to release your stressors. This Roasty & Malty Brew inspired from the mixes in the Czech Republic, the birthplace of pilsner, will recreate your indulgence,

The brew is available in a 1 liter Pet bottle and Gateway’s ‘Party Kegs’ holds 5 liters which can provide around 15 glasses of beer.

They are well sanitized and safely delivered. But you can always visit their brand experience store to witness the many tales its walls have to share.  
 

Mumbai’s Pioneering Micro-brewery Gateway Brewing Co that helped shape the craft beer policy is all set to launch its retail store in town.

This shop is pleasingly stationed near Gateway of India, behind Taj to be precise, on Mandlik road, Ramnimi building.

Spread across 200 sq. ft. modelled after the look and feel of the taproom: chic, casual with exposed brick walls & iconic beer brand graffiti on the wall. It will serve as a shop for their beers in bottles & kegs for all the mighty liberationists trying to conquer the best beer out there.

“Finally freshly brewed beers get to be in front and centre of the customers after nearly 7 years of serving via bars & restaurants. This not only makes it more affordable for customers but also gives us direct feedback and makes us independent. Now the real growth in craft will appear,” shared Navin Mittal, Owner, GBC.

As a team, Gateway brewing Co. is keen on introducing the crowd with new flavours, while serving them the best quality beers.

The store will also have a pin-up board in the store for promoting other local businesses, and to display their on-going offers. While hoping to leverage other locals, they are very keen on sequentially helping the friends with new offers, this in turn will also help them gain recognition and promote themselves as a brand in the midst of the pandemic.

Also Read: Gateway brewing company launches party kegs this festive season

An anecdote for one such vision would be that, over the last 7 years comparing their sales, they have seen that white zen (all kinds of wheat beers) were at least 60% of their sales, and other micro-breweries as well. While restaurants and bars still show the same percentage of wheat beer consumption, their direct-to-consumer business shows 30% preference for wheat beers, and an astounding 30% preference for IPA which historically has been only 10%.

The beers are available in a 1 litre Pet bottle and their Party Kegs hold 5 litres, which can provide around 15 glasses of beer.  

With the number of beer lovers in Pune being constantly on the rise, Mumbai’s popular microbrewery Drifters opens their first Growling station in Pune. 

Located at Koregoan Park, the brand new cosy 250 sq. ft space has both pickup and delivery services for beer enthusiasts to quench their thirst & fill up their growlers routinely.

Also Read: Crafters launches its first beer growler station in Andheri

The Drifters growler station was launched on 1st of Dec, 2020.

Started by Nayan Shah, Drifters Brewing Company was born out of the need for handcrafted beers in the city.

After months of lull across the Global Economy due to the pandemic, India was no exception to witnessing the downfall of multiple industries. Months of lockdown and the masses being confined indoors to avoid health hazards did no good to the brewery sales post-March 2020.

May Interest: Effingut launches India’s first retail craft beer chain - Effingut 2 Go across Maharashtra

But, after the persistent efforts of the Maharashtra Chapter of the Craft Brewers Association of India (CBAI), the Maharashtra state excise department finally amended the state’s growler policy, making it India’s first state ever to allow microbreweries to permanently sell their craft beer via growlers. This was a total game-changing decision in the Indian beer history, making it a monumental one.

The holiday season is a time for celebrating and good food and beer are a must!

Gateway always launches a new beer during this festive season and as late-season flavours make for exciting brews this time, Gateway has launched their brand new 5 litre DIY kegs and a whole lot of brews suited to your holiday party during this winter either by the fire or at a backyard barbecue.

Also Read: Crafters launches its first beer growler station in Andheri

The ‘Party Kegs’ hold 5 litres and are filled with fresh brews on demand. These kegs are designed to be ultra-portable keeping in mind beer enthusiasts’ desire to consume beer anywhere and anytime. All one needs is to chill them & get pouring.

Each party keg provides around 15 glasses of beer and is priced between INR 3500 - 4000 depending on the choice of beer. If you prefer wheat beers, get those or choose from 8 different types that range from light to amber to dark.

May Interest: Effingut launches India’s first retail craft beer chain - Effingut 2 Go across Maharashtra

You can choose from the light & refreshing Mumbai’s original White Zen launched in 2014 or the darker variant, Doppelganger, Mosaic IPA, Zini lager, Monk’s Potion, Munich lager or the festive brew made with a Norwegian yeast called Kveik Red Ale. 

Being the pioneers of the craft beer industry in Mumbai and having shaped policy for all others that followed, Gateway has once again put its best in front of the consumer. 

Bengaluru-based Byg Brewski has opened its doors and is welcoming everyone back to a redefined magical dining experience.

With top-notch hygiene practices and an even more spacious seating arrangement than before, the brewery has ensured that nothing hinders customers from having a great time.

“We also started takeaways for craft beer earlier this month with our full roster of everyone’s favourite beverages ready for takeaway at attractive prices! We have also gone above and beyond to ensure a full-fledged implementation of all safety and sanity measures that give our customers peace of mind when they visit Byg Brewski,” shared Pravesh Pandey, Director- partner, Byg Brewski

The group has also put extra emphasis on their home delivery options for those who want to enjoy the dishes straight from their kitchen to their living room.

The group is also launching Byg Brewski Kitchen in Indiranagar to grab a bigger market share.

“To say that the last few months have been cruel would be an understatement. But, that’s the thing about such adversities - they remind us of who we are at our core, and we are culinary enthusiasts with a penchant for the extraordinaire. But, we are also much more than our image of being the biggest brewpub in Asia, we are also the biggest family and we take care of our own, so we can again fill our spaces with your laughter, memories and stories – one lovely meal at a time,” added Pandey.

The Brew Estate, India’s largest micro brewery and food chain, is planning to launch ten more outlets across the country by the next two years. It will mainly focus on tier two cities in respect to its expansion plans.

Naveen Dubey, Head (Marketing), The Brew Estate, said, “Currently, we have seven outlets in Northern part of the country, situated one each at Shimla (HP), Ludhiana, Patiala and Sangrur in Punjab, Panchkula (Haryana) and two in Chandigarh.”

“We have planned to open ten more outlets including in the cities across the country like Delhi, Pune, Indore, Nagpur, Jaipur, Ghaziabad, and Mumbai, etc. We are also looking for partners for financial support in our planned expansion,” he added.

Dubey further stated, “The new food menu is based upon the Global Comfort theme and aimed to regenerate the mind and soul of the consumers. The astonishing feature about the new menu as that the entire ingredient used in the food is organic and procured fresh while preparation is contemporary with the traditional touch. Besides this, all the food chain serves more than 80 kinds of craft beer.”

Anheuser Busch InBev (AB InBev), recently signed an agreement with The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), South Asia’s largest hospitality company, to launch a premium chain of microbreweries within its marquee hotels across key locations in India. This partnership is worth Rs150 crore with plans to open 15 microbreweries over the next 5 years. This partnership will leverage the collective strength of the two leading companies to shape the future of quality craft beer in India.

Commenting on this partnership, Jan Craps, Executive Director and CEO, Budweiser APAC and President, AB InBev said, “We are delighted to partner with IHCL with its portfolio of exceptional hotels to open specialty microbreweries across top urban cities of India. The microbreweries will be conceptualized by ZX Ventures, our global innovation and investment team that will bring in their global brewing expertise to develop the current ecosystem and delight our consumers. We look forward to working with the emerging craft community in the country and are confident that our synergies in this category will shape the craft beer industry in India.”

AB InBev, with its in-house brewing expertise will offer the best craft beers using the finest natural ingredients. This coupled with IHCL’s culinary prowess and exemplary service, housed in a vibrant and high-energy environment will celebrate the spirit of new India. JOI Design from Hamburg will design all the microbreweries.

“In our endeavour to bring the latest international trends and experiences for our guests, we are privileged to join hands with the world’s largest brewer, AB InBev. This partnership, exclusive to IHCL will be a first of its kind in the hospitality industry in India. With its diverse collection of over 500 beer brands, AB InBev will be involved in setting up on-site microbreweries at some of our iconic hotels; the first of which will be opened at Taj MG Road, Bengaluru, followed by Goa, Mumbai and Hyderabad,” Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said.

Hotels, restaurants and clubs have received the approval for operating microbreweries in the national capital.

In September 2018, DDA had invited suggestions and objections from the public on the proposal to amend the Master Plan for Delhi 2021 for allowing such breweries. On September 7, 2018, the proposal was approved in DDA’s meeting, led by LG Anil Baijal. Following this, the modification in the MPD was finally carried out and the notification has been published.

Rahul Singh, President of National Restaurant Association of India and Founder and CEO of Beer Café, said, "This clearance brings the spotlight Delhi deserves and will go a long way to promote tourism and experiential drinking for Delhites. We will be looking at extending the line with small batches of on-premise brewed beers which will be experimental."

Shriram Monga of SRED, a food and beverage advisory firm, stated, "There will be more options and the nightlife scene in Delhi will improve. It will give a boost to the real estate in restaurant hubs of the city such as CP, Nehru Place, Aerocity and Punjabi Bagh."

The pub city of Bengaluru will find the installation of the largest microbrewery in the country. Called Byg Brewski Brewing Co, the brewpub is nothing short of a magnum opus. The brewpub will be spanned over an area of 65,000 square feet in Hennur and is opening doors on May 31. The second-largest microbrewery, Hoot at 40,000 square feet, is also located in Bengaluru.

Pravesh Pandey, partner-owner of Byg Brewski Brewing Co, claims that the brewpub is actually the largest in Asia too. “Our research shows that there is no other microbrewery as big as this in Asia. It’s a single level venue spread across 65,000 square feet and will be able to comfortably take 1280 covers at any given period,” says Pandey.

The brewpub will have five experiential zones. The bar will offer 16 types of beer on tap as opposed to routine 5-6 varieties. A nightclub with a medieval Scottish vibe stands on the same premises. Multiple-dining options in varied décor styles like vintage European and amphitheater step-dining will offer world cuisine.

“We also have a large kitchen spreading over 6500 square feet. It is a silent live kitchen which will cater to about 5000 meals per day,” adds Pandey.

Three large man-made water-bodies will create a natural habitat of sorts at the new brewpub.

Pune-based microbrewery Great State Ale Works is brewing millets to add variations in the tastes of the beer. Bajra, jowar and ragi will be used to provide unique tastes and popularize millets.

Co-Founder Nakul Bhosale said they were introduced to brewing of malted millets by Amrita Hazra, assistant professor at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune.

The Millet Project was started by Hazra in California where she tried to find contemporary ways to add millets to people’s diet when she found malted millets being used for brewing beer.

Bhosale added, “Experimenting is art at our brewery. The use of unconventional, local and indigenous ingredients to brew a first-of-a-kind beer got us working. We have made a ragi pineapple ale and bajra ale. Both received a positive response.”

Hazra said beer from malted jowar is popular in other countries. “Millets are losing out to grain like wheat, rice and corn. Brewing beer from millets can increase consumption. It would boost demand for millets prompting farmers to undertake large-scale cultivation, she added. “It will break the monoculture in agriculture which has led to water scarcity and loss of soil nutrients. The demand will improve soil health and give local farmers an optional crop for cultivation.”

Bhosale said the microbrewery will source millets from local farmers. “We are looking at a tie-up with an NGO called Happy Roots which works with farmers in the state. They will provide us with millets but help with the malting process. If the malted grain they provide works for our brews, we will start placing larger orders. If it does not work, we will procure grain from them and turn it over to malting plants in North India,”

He added, millet beers taste like any wheat or barley beer. Restaurants are keen on introducing these beers on their menus. “We are sure it will get a good response.”

Its party time for all the beer lovers in Delhi as the AAP government on Thursday gave its nod for setting up licensed micro-brew pubs in the city.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at Delhi Secretariat in New Delhi.

Until now, people wanting to savour the freshly-brewed drink had to travel all the way to their neighbourhood, Gurgaon and Faridabad in Haryana where such breweries exist in large numbers.

"The government has approved a proposal, prepared by the Excise Department, to allow microbreweries in hotels and restaurants across the national capital," said Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister, Delhi Govt.

According to the government, allowing microbreweries in the city will make available to Delhiites, fresh beer in different flavours, as is available in other places such as Gurgaon and Bengaluru.

A senior official said the government will soon notify the decision, following which anyone who wants a license to set up microbreweries in hotels and restaurants can apply.

Micro-breweries produce a small amount of beer and are served to customers. Such breweries are usually set up in pubs that cater to niche tastes.

"The government's decision will also help generate more revenue," the official added.

In India, Haryana was the first state to have allowed micro-brew pubs.