A recent report on alcohol consumption in Karnataka reveals a shift in drinking habits, with a growing preference for beer over hard liquor. Over the past eight months, beer sales have risen by 10.9%, while the sales of Indian Made Liquor (IML), including whisky and rum, have slightly declined by 0.6%.
Between April and November this year, Karnataka sold 466 lakh cartons of IML, a small drop from the 469 lakh cartons sold in the same months last year. In contrast, beer sales have surged. The state sold 313.5 lakh crates of beer in the last eight months, up from 282.6 lakh crates during the same period last year.
As a result, the excise department’s revenue increased by 6.5% compared to last year, growing from Rs 22,168 crore to Rs 23,600 crore. However, the department’s revenue target dropped slightly, from 64% to 61% of its goal.
