The fourth edition of Brews&Spirits Expo (13-15 September, 2023) at the Manpho Convention Centre in Bengaluru, is set to bring together the finest minds and brands in the alcohol beverage sector, creating a hub of innovation and industry networking.

The alcobev sector is a significant contributor to the Indian economy, with a wide range of products and services that cater to various consumer preferences. The sector comprises beer, spirits and wine, and has experienced steady growth in recent years.

As a catalyst to the fast-growing sector, Brews&Spirits Expo aims to deliver value to the ecosystem by providing a platform to foster partnerships within the industry with curated events such as:

• Trade fair with machinery and materials displays and presentations;
• Conference on ‘Grain to Glass 4.0: The Shape of Things to Come’;
• Technical workshop on brewing by VLB Berlin;
• Master Classes on spirits and wines;
• Tasting sessions for beer, spirits and wines;
• Flair Bartending Challenge;
• Brews&Spirits awards for the industry.

With a comprehensive trade fair, conference and an array of engaging activities, Brews&Spirits Expo promises to be a game-changer for the industry by bringing together technology providers, equipment manufacturers, brand owners, digital influencers, raw materials suppliers; brewers, winemakers, distillers, distributors and retailers of alcohol beverages; food and beverage professionals from the hotel, restaurant and entertainment sectors; and connoisseurs of spirits and wine.

Raising a glass to innovation, Sukhinder Singh, the founder of London-based global spirits retailer, The Whisky Exchange, will deliver the keynote address at the conference.

Several other industry leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and corporate leaders will share their knowledge and expertise in the course of panel discussions focused on trending topics in the alcobev sector.

Burning topics

Among discussion topics will be MNCs stepping into single malts; innovation in premium products; native spirits and the rise of India’s “Ginaissance”. We also take a look at micro-breweries marching across the country with beer on tap and in cans. While wine tourism and wine-based RTDs are already making waves, foreign brands are quietly buoyed by prospects of free trade agreements with India.

We will also discuss how and why Indian bars have made tremendous strides in global rankings; the increasing use of local ingredients in cocktails; and the race to generate fresh bartending talent to meet F&B industry demands.

In retail and distribution, what challenges and opportunities is the evolution of modern trade throwing up for the alcobev industry? Regulatory flip-flops notwithstanding, what interventions are required for profitable growth of the alcobev sector?

The start-up phenomenon is taking a toe-hold in India’s alcobev stage, and investors are backing beverage ventures, ranging from non-alcoholic seltzers and mixers to beer and spirits. This ecosystem has been largely created by boot-strapped founders.

And although there is a pack of individual investors, there is limited evidence of active angel groups supporting the alcobev sector. Why is private equity shy of the alcobev sector? What are investors looking for in beverage ventures and the stories of its founders?

Technical workshop

A technical workshop is also on the cards on ‘Process Control’ by VLB Berlin, a research institute for bio-technology. It will comprise of:

• Introduction to water as a raw material, and how to alter water chemistry to produce various styles of beer;
• Introduction to malt as raw material and its influences on the brewing process;
• Process control in the brew house, during fermentation and the final product.

Industry support

The event is supported by industry associations and organisations such as the All India Distillers’ Association, All India Wine Producers’ Association, Apex Wine Club India, India Bartenders’ Guild, Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies, Craft Brewers’ Association, Distillers’ Association of Maharashtra, and the Ethanol Manufacturers’ Association.

Other industry organisations who have vouched for the event are Fragrances & Flavours, Gin Explorers’ Club, Grape Growers’ Federation of India, Indian Flair Bartenders’ Association, International Spirits & Wines Association of India, Karnataka Brewers’ and Distillers’ Association, Karnataka Wine Board, Single Malt Amateur Club, UP Distillers’ Association, Wine & Spirits Club of India, and many more.

For details about Brews&Spirits Expo 2023, visit www.brewsnspiritsexpo.com. Media contact: Mona Ebenezer, Marcom Manager, mona@pdaventures.com.