Beer price hike likely to come into effect from October in Karnataka

BENGALURU: In yet another shock for beer lovers, the prices of their favourite bubbly is set to rise from the first week of October. This will be the third time that the prices of beer are being revised in the last one-and-half years.

In the 2023 budget, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had hiked the prices on Indian-made liquor (IML) by 20 per cent and beer by 10 per cent. Prior to this, the excise duty on beer produced in the state or imported had been increased by 10 per cent. Now, the prices of beer are proposed to be hike for the third time in 1.5 years.

The government has approved a proposal by the Excise Department to hike beer prices and it is expected to come into force from October. This comes on the back of reduction of prices of premium and semi-premium liquor on August 29.

“When the prices of liquor were reduced, the government had issued a draft notification on increasing beer prices. As per the proposal, the prices will be hiked anywhere between Rs 10 and 20 per bottle. A notification on the new prices is expected soon. It is not good to keep increasing beer prices frequently. The government should promote beer sales as it will indirectly help farmers who cultivate barley and wheat”, said Karunakar Hegde, secretary of the bar owners’ association.

Karunakar Hegde, secretary of the bar owners’ association.

According to bar owners, the price of Boom Strong beer is likely to increase from Rs 163 to Rs 172-175; Budweiser Magnum from Rs 213 to Rs 230; Budweiser Premium from Rs 200 to Rs 215, Kingfisher Premium from Rs 168 to Rs 180; Kingfisher Storme from Rs 177 to Rs 187; Kingfisher Strong from Rs 168 to Rs 180; Kingfisher Ultra from Rs 199 to Rs 220; Tuborg Strong from Rs 168 to Rs 180, UB Premium from Rs 131 to Rs 143, UB Strong from Rs 131 to RS 142 per bottle. The prices of other brands too will increase between Rs 10-20 per bottle.