Microbreweries on rise in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Microbreweries are getting a huge response in the city. Sixty applications were received from pubs and hotels to set up microbreweries in response to a recent notification of the excise department. A microbrewery produces a small amount of beer.

The government is expected to issue licences for microbreweries in November. It is estimated that Rs 2 crore is required to set up a microbrewery.Excise officials are upbeat at receiving 60 applications for microbreweries. There were no takers for microbreweries in New Delhi.

“We are processing the applications. After verification the licences will be issued by November-end.  All applications fulfilling norms would be considered,” said excise commissioner R.V. Chandravadan.

The government has prescribed a licence fee of '3 lakh along with an additional security deposit of Rs 1 lakh for setting up a microbrewery. It imposed a condition that any drought beer produced in such a facility cannot be bottled or sold outside the premises and can be served to customers only in glasses or pitchers. Beer older than 36 hours cannot be served or sold.  They are also not allowed to produce and sell more than 1,000 litres of beer a day.