Launched in 2015, Bira is one of India’s most popular craft brewers and is backed by Kirin Holdings of Japan and Sofina of Belgium. It competes with international brands such as Carlsberg as well as Heineken and United Breweries.
The deal comes during the South Asian country’s festival season, when more and more people are going out to socialize and eat after being forced to stay indoors for nearly two years of the pandemic.
Beer Cafe chief executive Rahul Singh will lead the brand’s operations, the company said in a statement.
“We will brew a new private label beer at the Bira brewery,” Singh told Reuters, adding that the deal with Bira was an all-stock deal.
Singh declined to comment further on the financial data.
The Beer Cafe, which sells 50 brands through 33 outlets in 15 cities, will continue to serve beer from a variety of global brands, the statement added.
Kirin is in talks with Bira to double its investment in beer markers, sources told Reuters last month. The company is ready to inject an additional $450 million, the sources said.
