The Indian alcoholic beverage industry, driven by innovation, is witnessing very interesting times. According to Euromonitor International, India’s spirit sector –which includes whiskey, brandy, rum and vodka – is estimated to expand at a rate of 25 % to reach US$ 41 billion (Rs 2.92 trillion) by 2022.

Today the country is among the world’s most attractive alcohol markets and the rising affluence of India’s middle class is expected to drive growth by as much as 10% a year in the US$ 33-billion spirits market.

Over the last 5 years, the number of microbreweries in India has jumped from 20 to 130. A Deloitte report estimates the craft beer segment to be growing at over 40% a year, aided by a young, well-travelled population with higher disposable incomes.

The demand for fresh brews, bottled craft or canned craft beer and craft spirits has seen a steep increase in the past year. If the first wave of craft beer in India was about setting up brewpubs, the action has now shifted to selling packaged craft beer for many trend setters.

Alcobev brands are also tracking rapidly evolving consumer trends, needs and aspirations to figure out areas of improvement. Innovation in packaging and labelling is being given increasing prominence to attract consumers driven by style and international influences.

Unique platform

Craft Drinks India (CDI), an event that debuted in July 2018, seeks to bridge the Indian alcobev community with trends, technology and knowledge. The trade fair for beer, wine and spirits production technologies, jointly organised by NuernbergMesse (the promoters of globally recognisedBeviale cluster of beverage events) and PDA Trade Fairs, provided a perfect platform for the craft drinks ecosystem to meet, interact, deliberate and witness cutting-edge global technologies.

Inaugurated by Mr P. Lakshmi narasimham, Commissioner for Prohibition and Excise in the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the fair saw companies showcasing technologies, solutions and innovations to over 2,000 attendees.

The visitors comprised of brewery and distillery owners, other spirits and wine producers, and entrepreneurs from across India. Also present were experts from France, Nepal, Hong Kong, Singapore, Belgium, Sri Lanka, Australia, Myanmar, Oman, Thailand, United Kingdom and Zambia.

Enthused by the success of the first edition, The Craft Brewers Association of India (CBAI), All-India Distillers Association (AIDA), Karnataka Brewers and Distillers Association (KBDA), UP Distillers Association (UPDA), Gujarat Distillers Association, and the National Restaurants’ Association of India (NRAI) have once again extended support and  endorsement to the event, whilst steering and advocating it via an advisory committee.

The second edition of CDI 2019, scheduled on 3 and 4 July, 2019, will feature the trade exhibition, a conference on ‘Grain to Glass’ and technical workshops.

CDI 2019

While the conference will focus on topics such as building brands, attracting investment, creating robust brand identities on the ground and in the digital world, compliance requirements, equipment sourcing, strategies for brands and exports market for Indian liquor, the technical workshops will focus on brewing and tasting.

The expo will showcase companies displaying products and solutions from an extensive list of exhibitor categories: production equipment, raw materials, packaging and labelling equipment, refrigeration and cold storage, cleaning equipment and chemicals, materials and systems, flavours and extracts, filtration equipment, conveying technologies, instruments and gauges, automation and process controls, laboratory equipment, waste water treatment, fermentation equipment, dispensing equipment, bar services and more.

Advisory panel

CDI 2019 is steered by a high-power advisory committee consisting of  NaryanManepally, co-founder of Geist Beer Works;  Anand Virmani, co-founder of Nao Spirits; AdityaChalla, Founder of Susegado; Ajay Nagarajan, CEO of Windmills Craftworks; AmanDhall, Executive Director at Brindco Sales India; ArvindRaju, co-founder of The Biere Club; Desmond Nazareth, Managing Director of Agave India;  GauravSikka, Managing Director of Arbor Brewing Company; Hansel Vaz, Founder of Cazulo Premium Feni;  KeshavPrakash, Director of The Vault; Navin Mittal, Founder & Partner at Gateway Brewing; SanjeevBanga, President for International Business at RadicoKhaitan; ShekharSwarup, Joint Managing Director with Globus Spirits &Unibev; SibiVenkataraju, Co-founder of ToitBrewPub; Susan Dias, Founder of Native Brews; and  VikramAchanta, Co-founder & CEO of Tulleho Portals.

Block your dates on 3 and 4 July, 2019, for CDI 2019, which will be held at the White Orchid Convention Centre, Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.

For space bookings and enquiries,
call Jeevan Shenoy on +91-8884460157 or Priya Sharma on +91-11-47168830.