Formula-1

What’s next for India’s spirits sector?

What’s next for India’s spirits sector?

Moderator Vikram Damodaran, Chief Innovation Officer at Diageo India and Co-founder o... Read More
Indian single malts ready to mingle!

Indian single malts ready to mingle!

Within the space of a week in December, I was present at the launch of not one, but t... Read More
A taste of the future for craft beer

A taste of the future for craft beer

Moderator Dr Pratekk Chturvedi, COO, Brewdog India Panelists Narayan Manepally, Found... Read More
Hina Nagarajan: Surfing the spirits wave

Hina Nagarajan: Surfing the spirits wave

There have been exponential changes in the alcobev space in India. What does this mea... Read More
Brews & Spirits Expo confirms its premier status

Brews & Spirits Expo confirms its premier status

Brews&Spirits Expo 2023 (13-14 September, at the Manpho Convention Centre, Bengal... Read More
Best Brand in Bars Award winners

Best Brand in Bars Award winners

The Indian beverage alcohol industry is currently estimated to be worth more than US$... Read More
India is the next growth story

India is the next growth story

The day-long conference at Brews&Spirits Expo-2023, with ‘Grain to Glass 4.... Read More
Market penetration holds key for India

Market penetration holds key for India

When we look at the performance of the Global beverage alcohol market and volume chan... Read More
Go by trusted producer, not price

Go by trusted producer, not price

What inspired you to pursue the Master of Wine title? What were its biggest challenge... Read More
‘Brews&Spirits Expo 2023’ poised to scale new heights

‘Brews&Spirits Expo 2023’ poised to scale new heights

Bengaluru is set to host India’s leading beverage alcohol trade and technology... Read More
Chivas Brothers puts collaboration ahead of competition

Chivas Brothers puts collaboration ahead of competition

Founded in 1786, Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky business of Pernod Ricard and mak... Read More
Summer Of Indian Rums

Summer Of Indian Rums

A rum resurgence is clearly on the way in India over the last 3 years. These rums ran... Read More
Bar to brand: the making of new entrepreneurs

Bar to brand: the making of new entrepreneurs

Mumbai-based Varun Sudhakar runs Bar Bundle, a premium beverage consultancy that offe... Read More
Re-telling retail success

Re-telling retail success

You are retailing 6,000 varieties of whiskies, single malts, and bourbons from around... Read More
Angels’ Share: Who are the investors in Indian alcobev start-ups?

Angels’ Share: Who are the investors in Indian alcobev start-ups?

In early 2006, I was in Pune for some personal work when Pratekk Chturvedi, a fellow... Read More
Sidecar establishes primacy among India’s 30 Best

Sidecar establishes primacy among India’s 30 Best

‘30 Best Bars India’, the country’s only independent bar awards pla... Read More
India intensifies love story with Scotch

India intensifies love story with Scotch

Global exports of Scotch whisky in 2022 grew to more than £6 billion for the fi... Read More
Bar-trending 2023: what’s In, what’s Out

Bar-trending 2023: what’s In, what’s Out

The tumult in the hospitality industry over the past couple of years is ending, fortu... Read More
Flavour is star of RTD cocktails

Flavour is star of RTD cocktails

Ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, which started out as the quick, pick-me-up alcoholic... Read More
Bira 91 to buy Beer Cafe

Bira 91 to buy Beer Cafe

Bira 91, India’s fastest-growing beer company, has agreed to acquire the countr... Read More
When life gives you lemons, go Green!

When life gives you lemons, go Green!

If you have ever worked behind a bar, think about your first day there: what was the... Read More
How brands can go ‘social’

How brands can go ‘social’

Those of you who have lived social media over the past decade will attest to the fact... Read More
Brewing Revolution: what’s the ferment all about?

Brewing Revolution: what’s the ferment all about?

India remains very firmly a Lager market – and overwhelmingly strong Lager &nda... Read More
Something’s brewing in the hinterland

Something’s brewing in the hinterland

Shimla Brewing has stunning views and interiors, beers and ciders on tap. It was est... Read More
B&S Expo boosts industry spirits

B&S Expo boosts industry spirits

The 2-day Brews&Spirits Expo, 2022 (6-7 July, at the Manpho Convention Centre, Be... Read More
New routes to brand building

New routes to brand building

Direct-to-consumer is not a new concept; older forms of it have existed via catalogue... Read More
New moves in on- and off-trade

New moves in on- and off-trade

The last few years have seen a flurry of action. There are now drinks brands that are... Read More
Product and innovation: collaborate to grow

Product and innovation: collaborate to grow

Anjali Batra spoke about how, in recent years, the spirits category was witness to co... Read More
Think local for distillates and brews

Think local for distillates and brews

Sibi Venktaraju initiated the discussion, saying the panellists would look at brands... Read More
Sustainability across the supply chain

Sustainability across the supply chain

Priyanka Save is also a Green Building professional and has been working in this spac... Read More
Asset-light approach to launch brands

Asset-light approach to launch brands

Setting up a new distillery, or even buying an existing one, is an expensive proposit... Read More
Indian premium gins surging ahead

Indian premium gins surging ahead

“Rumours of my death are greatly exaggerated” is a popular misquote attri... Read More
Bar Tesouro tops ‘30 Best Bars’ list

Bar Tesouro tops ‘30 Best Bars’ list

Tulleeho and Man’s World magazine revealed the much-awaited ranking of the top... Read More
Diageo honours four whisky icons from India

Diageo honours four whisky icons from India

Diageo, the leading global distiller, has recognised a number of key employees and st... Read More
Indian spirits snap up medals at IWSC 2022

Indian spirits snap up medals at IWSC 2022

The recently announced results of the International Wine and Spirits Competitions 202... Read More
Gin exploration takes India by storm

Gin exploration takes India by storm

Food Talk India brought back its Gin Explorers Club (GEC) recently at The Hub in DLF... Read More
Gin vibes in a susegad setting!

Gin vibes in a susegad setting!

The new experiential gin bar, W. Goa’s Sylvia, is now one of the most happening... Read More
Gen-Z connect solution with HP

Gen-Z connect solution with HP

Packaging is becoming one of the most effective channels for advertising, unlocking a... Read More
How beer adds fizz to economies

How beer adds fizz to economies

The beer sector, often made out to be a villain in the media, has huge benefits for t... Read More
Legend Spawns A Legion

Legend Spawns A Legion

One wonders how many in the Indian alcobev industry could lay claim to the several &l... Read More
Bar-Bar Dekho

Bar-Bar Dekho

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times – that famous opening line... Read More
Booze needs a mindful makeover

Booze needs a mindful makeover

From the explosion of rock-and-roll, to the ubiquity of denim and the adoption of wea... Read More
‘Green’ beer anyone?

‘Green’ beer anyone?

After hiking in Utah’s Canyons National Park (US) more than a decade ago, Patri... Read More
Breakout Performance!

Breakout Performance!

A recent article in The Financial Times describes it well: the “treat brain&rdq... Read More
Monin wants to serve India more flavours

Monin wants to serve India more flavours

When news came in recently that Georges Monin SAS, the France-based global leader in... Read More
Cheers Group: Breaking free of the ‘noise’

Cheers Group: Breaking free of the ‘noise’

After a professional career spanning over three decades in the alcobev sector  &... Read More
Kalpatharu: Family business to match multi-nationals

Kalpatharu: Family business to match multi-nationals

Mr Kantappa Sahukar, Chairman and Managing Director of Bengaluru-based Kaplatharu Bre... Read More
Kyndal: Delivering more than the market expects

Kyndal: Delivering more than the market expects

Kyndal was set up in 2002 (then called Kyndal Spirits UK) as a wholly-owned subsidiar... Read More
Mohan Bros: Changing perceptions about brandy

Mohan Bros: Changing perceptions about brandy

Mohan Brothers needs no introduction! Since its inception in 1980 its Partner, Mr Ama... Read More
NV Group: ahead of the times

NV Group: ahead of the times

Starting with a liquor distribution business in 1994, Mr Ashok Jain, Chairman of New... Read More
Oasis: From grain spirits to millionaire brands

Oasis: From grain spirits to millionaire brands

Oasis Distilleries was started in 1987 in Indore (Madhya Pradesh) by the late Om Prak... Read More
Radico: From bottlers to brand-makers

Radico: From bottlers to brand-makers

Rampur Distillery in Uttar Pradesh, a major bulk spirits supplier, commenced operatio... Read More
ADS Group: Meteoric rise of the first generation

ADS Group: Meteoric rise of the first generation

When Mr Ashok Maan started out in the alcobev retail and distribution business in 199... Read More
Stirred, not shaken: Women prise open glass ‘bar’rier

Stirred, not shaken: Women prise open glass ‘bar’rier

There will come a time in India when we don’t look at bartenders through the le... Read More
Fizz from fruits? Hill Zill Winery tells you how

Fizz from fruits? Hill Zill Winery tells you how

The Hill Zill winery is located in the quaint settings of a small coastal town of Bor... Read More
Rajasthan’s heritage liqueurs: a second coming?

Rajasthan’s heritage liqueurs: a second coming?

Before India’s Independence, various royal families in Rajasthan – both m... Read More
Sorcerers of Spirits

Sorcerers of Spirits

Amrut Distilleries’ Ashok Chokkalingam switched from the sales side to Head Di... Read More
Earn local trust; stand strong

Earn local trust; stand strong

Early March this year saw things slowing down, and by mid-March everything came to a... Read More
Opening the floodgates to the North-East

Opening the floodgates to the North-East

Guwahati, the capital of Assam, now boasts of the largest retail store for alcohol be... Read More
A ‘flair’ to support the community

A ‘flair’ to support the community

The bar and hospitality industry has taken a big hit due to the disruptions caused by... Read More
No proven rules for success

No proven rules for success

The restrictions on guest seating and staff strength have brought the business down b... Read More
Never compromise to cut costs

Never compromise to cut costs

The seating cap does affect revenue, but we do understand that it’s what the si... Read More
Innovation better than cost-cutting

Innovation better than cost-cutting

The lockdown meant complete shutdown of business and we were left sitting on full inv... Read More
Optimism presents new opportunities

Optimism presents new opportunities

Health and safety is an important consideration for any workplace as it’s a hig... Read More
Opportunity to personalise service

Opportunity to personalise service

Since we must all follow physical distancing protocols, we have reduced our covers an... Read More
A ‘bubble’ for clients’ safety

A ‘bubble’ for clients’ safety

The journey over the last few months has been fairly decent and restrictions on guest... Read More
Help yourselves stay afloat

Help yourselves stay afloat

Currently, we look at the restrictions on guest seating and staff strength affecting... Read More
Use tech for sustainable business

Use tech for sustainable business

For Byg Brewski, the challenge of reduced seating has not been such an issue because... Read More
Mead Queens turn passion into beverages

Mead Queens turn passion into beverages

The alcoholic beverages industry is going through some very exciting times. The artis... Read More
Hot Shots: Indian brands compete in Premium whiskey segment

Hot Shots: Indian brands compete in Premium whiskey segment

Oaksmith, Rockford, Hawkston, Sterling Reserve B7 and B10, Royal Green, Rockdove, Gol... Read More
Riding out the Covid-19 downturn

Riding out the Covid-19 downturn

The year 2020 will be remembered for many things. Not so long ago the Rs. 4.25-lakh-c... Read More
Rum Resurgence: Cane to curated spirit

Rum Resurgence: Cane to curated spirit

In 2015, I visited the German Rum Fest in Berlin. I was taken aback by the proliferat... Read More
Go for Gold, says Ian Burrell

Go for Gold, says Ian Burrell

Ian Burrell is Global Ambassador for the rum category, one of the most acclaimed and... Read More
Of rum, rains and cozy cocktails

Of rum, rains and cozy cocktails

Rum has always been a spirit that Indians have adored since time immemorial. No matte... Read More
Beer growlers on the prowl!

Beer growlers on the prowl!

Did you ever wonder how the name ‘growler’ for beer containers came about... Read More
‘Strange Times’, new measures & mixes

‘Strange Times’, new measures & mixes

Stranger & Sons gin from Goa’s craft distillery is always looking for excit... Read More
Positivity a must for survival

Positivity a must for survival

The crippling nationwide lockdowns and continuing restrictions on sale of alcoholic b... Read More
Maharashtra leads; will other follow?

Maharashtra leads; will other follow?

The beleaguered alcohol industry in Maharashtra had something to cheer about with the... Read More
It’s tough going for imported brands

It’s tough going for imported brands

The nationwide lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic has drastically impacted the bus... Read More
‘Whisky Wise’: promise of new experiences

‘Whisky Wise’: promise of new experiences

When it comes to curating whisky experiences in India we would like to believe that S... Read More
‘Vocal for Local’ will boost domestic wines

‘Vocal for Local’ will boost domestic wines

Ever since the lockdown on 22nd March, restaurants had already started shutting down... Read More
Think hard, but work smart

Think hard, but work smart

Covid-19 has probably been the biggest curse on the food and beverage industry ever s... Read More
Adversity is the Mother of Change

Adversity is the Mother of Change

If we all had a dollar for every time somebody said, “These are unprecedented t... Read More
Fresh impetus for beer from sorghum

Fresh impetus for beer from sorghum

The Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) in Hyderabad has come up with an init... Read More
Survey: Brewpubs are here to stay

Survey: Brewpubs are here to stay

The craft beer industry in India has taken off over the last few years, and a large p... Read More
BrewDog set to blaze trail across India

BrewDog set to blaze trail across India

The world’s No. 1 craft beer brand by revenue and an independent trailblazer, S... Read More
Beer Bonanza: Uncovering India’s growth opportunities

Beer Bonanza: Uncovering India’s growth opportunities

The beer industry in India, currently weighs in at upward of 350 million cases (2018-... Read More
Global whiskey brands make beeline for India

Global whiskey brands make beeline for India

Scotch whisky is on a high in India, the 8th largest market for Scotch worldwide in v... Read More
Frozen cocktails from Sucre des Terre

Frozen cocktails from Sucre des Terre

Picture this: a beautiful courtyard in South Bombay’s Race Course on a bright s... Read More
‘Big Boys’ can dance to innovation tune too!

‘Big Boys’ can dance to innovation tune too!

The increasing tempo of innovations in the spirits and beer sectors in the country ha... Read More
How Arundeep Sangla built his beer ‘Estate’

How Arundeep Sangla built his beer ‘Estate’

Arundeep grew up in Sunam (Punjab), and his Australian encounters spurred the desire... Read More
What it took to create the Bulldog brand

What it took to create the Bulldog brand

I was 6 years into my career on Wall Street but, despite things going well there, I w... Read More
Craft Sisterhood nurtures a new Indian gin brand

Craft Sisterhood nurtures a new Indian gin brand

There is little that is in common between ‘Strangers & Sons’ and most... Read More
At Bombay Canteen, it’s always ‘hospitality first’

At Bombay Canteen, it’s always ‘hospitality first’

Mumbai is a city of restaurants. It is an acknowledged fact that, given the time- con... Read More
GenNext-India leads the change

GenNext-India leads the change

Over the last decade in particular, the Indian alcobev industry has matured and evolv... Read More
Cheating the Angels!

Cheating the Angels!

For most dark spirits like whisky, rum and cognac, maturation is the key. High temper... Read More
Show me the way to the next cocktail bar

Show me the way to the next cocktail bar

Just like the rest of the food industry, the bar scenario in India is slowly but sure... Read More
From juniper to ingenuity

From juniper to ingenuity

It’s not possible to ignore gin anymore. And, hopefully, you aren’t even... Read More
India abroad: New strategy for brand acceptance?

India abroad: New strategy for brand acceptance?

It’s an interesting paradox that, given the size and promise of the Indian alco... Read More
Hop-ping Madness Brews A Storm In Us

Hop-ping Madness Brews A Storm In Us

The most popular craft beer in America for more than 15 years in terms of barrels pro... Read More
Craft beer goes kegging, canning, growling

Craft beer goes kegging, canning, growling

The beer market in India has radically changed in the past decade. There has been a s... Read More