It features interesting articles like:
• Vinexpo Asia calls for rules-based trading, amid tariff issues
• Jonas Gustav Ax on Patrón El Alto and Bacardi’s big tequila bet in India
• Labels that lead: Inside India’s evolving beer aesthetic
• How Simon de Beauregard is rewiring Pernod Ricard India’s digital game
Register now to access free e-versions visit www.ambrosiaindia.com
Raising a Toast to Transitions
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The Indian alcobev landscape is never still. Much like the beverages it
celebrates, the industry is constantly fermenting new ideas, distilling fresh
opportunities and occasionally – as we’ve seen this month – grappling with
heady challenges.
As we raise a toast to our June 2025 issue, the spotlight turns to three compelling themes:
the potential of wine exports, the shifting aesthetic of Indian beer culture, and the impact of
the Maharashtra government’s latest hike on liquor taxes. Each story is a reflection of the
larger dynamics at play in the country’s rapidly evolving drinking culture and marketplace.
Not all developments this month have been celebratory. The Maharashtra government’s
recent hike in liquor taxes — one of the steepest in the past three years — has stirred concern
across the value chain. Distributors, retailers, and premium brand owners are scrambling to
recalibrate pricing without losing consumers to parallel markets or lower-cost alternatives. In
our in-depth report on this issue, we explore the ramifications for both local businesses and
global players invested in India’s most lucrative alcobev state.
Equally vibrant is India’s beer revolution. Gone are the days when choice was limited
to a handful of lagers. Today, the urban consumer is spoilt for choice — from juicy IPAs to
Belgian-style saisons, and even experimental local brews with Himalayan herbs or jackfruit.
In “India’s Evolving Beer Aesthetic”, we unpack how new-age consumers – particularly
millennials and Gen Z – are embracing beer and also how new age brands are using aesthetics
to appeal to the consumer. Breweries are now story-driven, design-forward, and increasingly
sustainable. Beer in India has matured – not in age, but in attitude.
Now let’s talk about wine. For international producers eyeing India, the market has moved
beyond the metros. As our lead feature “How to Successfully Export Wine and Increase Sales
in India” outlines, success lies not just in logistics or pricing, but in understanding India’s
diverse palates, regional food pairings and growing interest in wine education. Wine tourism,
influencer-led tastings and digital-first sales strategies are beginning to bridge the gap between
producer and consumer. India isn’t merely an emerging wine market — it’s an expressive one,
and brands that acknowledge this nuance will find a loyal, curious audience.
Amid these dynamic shifts, this issue also brings you a curated selection of insightful
reads. For those curious about the business side of things, we feature candid conversations
with industry insiders navigating regulation, trends and consumer engagement.
June may be the start of monsoon season, but in the alcobev industry, it’s anything but
a slowdown. The skies may cloud, but the vision for India’s alcobev future remains sharp,
vibrant and full of flavour.
