The leading beer manufacturers in India – United Breweries (UBL), Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), and Carlsberg – have created a trade group, the Brewers’ Association of India (BAI). These three companies collectively account for approximately 85% of beer sales in the country and are all owned by global companies. UBL, controlled by Dutch brewing giant Heineken, leads the Indian beer market with brands such as Kingfisher and Heineken. AB InBev owns popular brands such as Budweiser and Corona, while Carlsberg operates with its eponymous brand and Tuborg.
BAI, formed in partnership with the World Brewing Alliance (WBA), will focus on growing the beer category in India while promoting innovation, moderation, and sustainability.
The new association is headquartered in Delhi and led by Vinod Giri who previously headed the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies, the apex body of the Indian alcoholic beverage industry. BAI will be open to other Indian and international brewers who share the goal of responsibly growing the Indian beer industry.
Through this association, the industry aims to introduce global best practices and strengthen the sector further. UBL’s Managing Director and CEO, Vivek Gupta, emphasized the importance of collaboration in shaping policies that promote responsible consumer choices, establish a robust taxation and regulatory framework, and encourage investments for socio-economic benefits.
The three founding companies have made significant investments in India, with Carlsberg operating seven breweries, UBL running nineteen, and AB InBev India managing ten across the country.
This new alliance represents a major step in unifying the Indian beer industry and promoting its growth while addressing key issues such as responsible consumption and sustainability.
