Bengaluru : Marking the third increase in the past 18 months. During the 2023 budget, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah raised prices on Indian-made liquor (IML) by 20% and beer by 10%. Previously, the excise duty on locally produced or imported beer had also gone up by 10%.
The Excise Department’s proposal for another price hike has been approved by the government, with new prices anticipated to take effect in early October, following a reduction in costs for premium and semi-premium liquor on August 29.
According to restaurant owners, the price for various beer brands will increase, with Boom Strong expected to go from Rs 163 to Rs 172-175, Budweiser Magnum from Rs 213 to Rs 230, Budweiser Premium from Rs 200 to Rs 215, and Kingfisher brands seeing similar increases.
Prices for most other brands are projected to rise by Rs 10-20 per bottle. Karunakar Hegde, secretary of the bar owners’ association, commented on the frequent price hikes, suggesting that the government should consider promoting beer sales, which could indirectly benefit barley and wheat farmers. Notifications regarding the new pricing are expected soon.
