Beer prices in Karnataka are set to rise by ₹10 to ₹30 per bottle soon, while premium liquor prices might drop by up to 20%, The Hindu reports. This change is part of a state government plan to revise liquor rates, aiming to boost sales of Indian Made Liquor (IML).
The exact increase in beer prices will vary depending on the brand and alcohol content. This move comes shortly after Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced a water tariff hike of 20-30%. The new liquor prices might take some time to be implemented, as the rate updates are still in progress.
The revised pricing model, which was initially expected to be effective by August 27, aims to align Karnataka’s liquor prices more closely with those in neighboring states. However, new supplies with the updated rates have not yet reached merchants, and the final beer prices will be determined after considering feedback from all stakeholders.
Beer sales in Karnataka have more than doubled in the past two years, driven by changing consumer habits and rising temperatures. Currently, a uniform rate applies to all beer in the state, but the Excise Department is proposing a new pricing structure with three different price slabs based on alcohol content. An increase in Additional Excise Duty (AED) for both bottled and draught beer is also expected, contributing to the price rise.
