Chilled beer to beat heat, significant rise in sales

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Beer market is booming in summer heat with a good increase in sales compared to last year. Beer sells more in bars as one can buy chilled bottles there.

From April 2 to 17, 3.61 lakh cases of beer were sold in bars. During the same period last year, sales were 2.62 lakh cases. An increase of 99,000 cases. 2.73 lakh cases were sold through retail outlets. Last year it was 2.42 lakh cases. An increase of 31,000 cases.

Kingfisher beer accounts for 90 percent of sales. Other major brands are Colt, Amspell, Bullet, Budweiser, Foster's, Woodpecker. Beer prices at Bevco retail outlets range from Rs 110 to Rs 170. In bars it is between Rs 160 and 240. If the heat continues at the same level, the sales will be high in May as well.

Demand for 'hot' drinks

Sales of Indian-made foreign liquor have also increased. 2.54 lakh cases of liquor were sold in the bars during this period. An increase of 68,000 cases over the previous year. At Bevco retail outlets, around one lakh cases were collected. Bevco's turnover for April 2-17 was Rs 967.78 crore. (877.77 crore last year).