Beer consumption in Maha back to pre-Covid level, but high tax hurts sales

Beer consumption in Maharashtra has just about reached pre-Covid levels while hard spirits have grown at a faster pace.

- SHARLEEN D'SOUZA

Taxation on beer has made it more expensive in Maharashtra compared to other states.

"Over the last decade or so, beer sales have stagnated in Maharashtra with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of just 1 per cent. This is very odd because during the same time liquor sales have grown by 6 per cent CAGR. The root cause of this lies in over taxation on beer. This has made it very expensive," director general at Brewers Association of India told Business Standard.