Bengaluru, known for its vibrant brewery scene, is grappling with a beer shortage, mirroring its water crisis concerns. The city’s breweries, renowned as prime hangout spots, are struggling to keep up with the soaring demand for beer amid scorching temperatures.
The surge in beer consumption is attributed to the excessive heat, prompting many to opt for the chilled beverage over hard drinks. Consequently, breweries are facing significant supply-demand imbalances, compelling them to ramp up production to meet the heightened demand.
Reports indicate a staggering increase in beer sales, with one brewery reporting a threefold rise in sales compared to the previous year’s summer season. Such unprecedented demand has led to instances where pubs display ‘out of stock’ signs on weekends, unable to keep pace with consumer preferences.
Interestingly, the trend of fruit-flavored beers, once popular in Bengaluru, is waning. The inability to source premium fruits for brewing due to heightened production pressures has diminished the appeal of these specialty brews. Consequently, consumers are opting for traditional beers over fruit-infused variants, citing concerns over quality.
In response to the surge in demand, pubs are scaling back promotional offers like “Happy Hours” or “Buy 1 get 1” deals. The concurrent Indian Premier League (IPL) season further exacerbates the situation, attracting large crowds to breweries screening matches, intensifying the strain on beer availability.
