E-Malt.com News article: India: Four Belgian beer brands to be launched in partnership with InBev

The launch of four Belgian beer brands in partnership with InBev was formally announced on August 1 by Ravi Jaipuria, the head of the RKJ Group, ANI reported a day later.

The four beers will be marketed by InBev India, which has its office in Gurgaon. InBev would take an initial 49 percent stake in the venture with the option to increase its participation at a later date, the company said in a statement.

InBev's aim was to gain access to the strong distribution network developed by the RKJ Group.

Stella Artois is a premium Belgian lager, while Hoegaarten is an original Belgian white beer laced with coriander and orange peel and an alcohol content of 4.8 percent volume. Beck's is the world's most famous German beer, while the famous Leffe beer is a dry, fruity, lightly spiced beer, full and creamy - a perfect balance of strength and subtlety.

Leffe beer is sold in over 60 countries worldwide and has established itself as a leader for its distinct taste, texture feel and a unique brewing heritage. Prices range from Rs.100 to 140 for a 330 ml bottle.

Beer sales in India are forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 17.2 percent to 2011. So, with the Indian beer industry seeing steady growth during the last decade, due to strong economic growth resulting in high disposable incomes, an increase in beer sales in the next two or three years is expected.

In addition to the increase in sales, the number of brands is expected to increase in the near future, with existing players like United Breweries and SABMiller expanding their ranges, and new players like Anheuser-Busch, Carlsberg and InBev setting up production facilities. United Breweries Ltd. is the market leader in the Indian beer market with a 40 percent market share

This new report indicates how the market has developed, which markets/regions are strongest, the leading brands and sales by segment and region.


06 August, 2008