The highly anticipated fifth edition of the Brews&Spirits Expo 2024 was successfully held from 4-6 September at the KTPO Convention Centre, Whitefield, Bengaluru. It brought together industry leaders, innovators and enthusiasts from across the world.
The Expo marked a significant moment for India’s beverage alcohol manufacturing sector with over 4,000 visitors and more than 70 technology and brand exhibitors.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by industry titans, including Narayan Manepally, Co-founder & CEO of Geist; Vivek Gupta, MD & CEO of United Breweries; and Mayukh Hazarika, Founder & CEO of Cherrapunji Gin, who together officially declared the 3-day event open.
In his inaugural address, Vivek spoke about the legacy of UB Distilleries, emphasizing the role of heritage brands in shaping modern India. “As we stand at the threshold of an exciting era for the alcobev sector, particularly for beer, the possibilities are endless,” he added.
Narayan noted that, on the strength of rising disposable incomes and a growing sense of Indian pride, a transformation in the drinks sector was palpable. “The Brews&Spirits Expo is on track to become the fastest growing and most successful event in our sector, reflecting the increasing global interest,” he added.
Echoing the entrepreneurial spirit, Mayukh remarked: “The courage, intuition and willingness to experiment is setting Indian alcobev entrepreneurs apart. This event is a key platform fostering collaboration and innovation.”
From machinery to brands and services, visitors were attracted from within India and abroad.
Conference, classes
The exhibitors displayed cutting-edge products and services, marking the largest representation of global participation since the expo’s debut 4 years ago.
Attendees participated in five insightful panel discussions, during the conference on ‘Grain to Glass’. The topics included ‘From India to the World’, ‘Small Towns/ Big Dreams’, ‘Taste of Tradition’, ‘Journey Across India’ and ‘Scaling Microbreweries’.
The event also featured an informative alcobev market overview by Jason Holway, Senior Consultant at IWSR. Presentations from industry experts included those of Rajesh Mohan, Country Manager (India) for Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits; and Huy Nguyen, Area Sales Manager (S-E & South Asia) for Fermentis.
One of the key attractions was a technical workshop hosted by VLB Berlin and IWort, featuring notable speakers Jan Bering, Gaythri Mehta, Ankur Napa respectively.
An engaging master class was led by Robert Piggot from Lallemand Distilling on ‘Yeast Behind New Whisky Profiles’, exploring how yeast strains are influencing new flavours in spirits production.
Arun Kumar, Brand Ambassador of Godawan single malt (Diageo India) shared insights on ‘Craft Journey with Godawan’, taking participants through the brand’s innovative journey in Indian craft spirits.
Simon Jeanpierre, Technical Sales Manager (APAC) of Fermentis, discussed ‘Wheat Beer Solutions’, offering a comprehensive look at brewing practices and yeast solutions for wheat beer production.
Prashant Nair, Director of Nashik-based Vishanth Industries, delivered a master class on ‘Discovering the Essence of Indian Wines’, highlighting the evolution of Indian wines and their growing global appeal.
The experience at the Expo effectively dovetailed with its accompaniment of curated tasting sessions, where visitors and delegates thoroughly relished and explored the unique flavours and profiles, making the experience both educational and enjoyable.
A lively fireside chat on career opportunities in the alcobev industry featured experts like Olson Pereira, Co-Founder of Indie Brews and Spirits; Ishrat Kaur, Trade Ambassador for Bacardi India; and Vishal Nagpal, Founder of Trippy Goat.
The next edition of the Brews&Spirits Expo is scheduled for July 2025, promising even more innovation and participation from the global alcobev community. For updates, visit www.brewsnspiritsexpo.com.
