History of Indian Distilleries

L Mohan Meakin Limited, the home of the iconic Old Monk Rum, is one of India’s oldest and most renowned companies. Its journey is deeply intertwined with the evolu tion of India’s alcoholic beverages industry. Here’s a glimpse into its illustrious history:

The roots of Mohan Meakin trace back to 1855, when Edward Dyer, a British entre-preneur, established a brew-ery in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh. Dyer was a pioneer in India’s brewing industry, introducing modern beer as a refreshing antidote to the subcontinent’s sweltering climate. Recognizing the immense potential, Dyer expanded operations, setting up breweries and distilleries in Shimla, Solan, Lucknow, and Mandalay (Burma). Burton-on-Trent, England, entered the Indian market. He acquired the existing Simla and Kasauli breweries and built new facilities in Dalhousie, Ranikhet, Chakrata, Darjeel-ing, and Kirkee.

For decades, E. Dyer & Co. and Meakin & Co. Ltd. operated independently. However, the First World War (1914-1918) created unprecedented demand for locally brewed. beer, as imports were restrict-ed. Both companies played a crucial role in meeting this demand, even exporting malted barley to Egypt to ensure affordable beer for soldiers. Eventually, the two firms merged to form Dyer Meakin & Co. Ltd., shifting brewing operations from Kasauli to Solan, where state-of-the-art facilities were established. The Kasauli plant, however, contin-ued its malting operations. utilizing the region’s pristine water sources from Karol Mountain.

In 1935. following the separation of Burma from India, the company was renamed Dyer Meakin Breweries Ltd. Over the years, the name underwent further changes. becoming Mohan Meakin Breweries Ltd. in 1966 and finally Mohan Meakin Limited in 1980. In 1949, the company’s fortunes took a transformative turn under the leadership of Padma Shri N.N. Mohan. He established the industrial hub of Mohan Nagar near Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, setting up diverse manufacturing units, including breweries, distilleries, malt houses, glass factories, food products, and engineering works. His successor, Padma Shri Brig. (Dr.) Kapil Mohan, led the company to further diversification. Under his stewardship, Mohan Meakin grew into a multi-faceted enterprise with three distilleries, two breweries, and franchise operations across 15 Indian states. Today, Mohan Meakin is synon-ymous with growth, innovation, and quality.

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Consulting Editor- Gopal Joshi