Liquor made in India is generally categorized as beer, country liquor and Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL). Country liquor is made from a variety of raw materials and is known by different names in different parts of the country. IMFL production primarily comprises wine, Vodka, Whisky, Gin, Rum, Brandy etc. Pre-mixed drinks as Gin and Lime and Rum and Cola are being introduced in India now . Draught beer is another recent introduction and has done well where ever introduced. Canned beer has also been introduced recently.
Currently, there are 36 breweries with a total licensed capacity of 160 million liters per annum. Current production is estimated at over 300 million liters. Total investment in this sector in the last six years has been of the order of Rs.11,000 million of which foreign investment is Rs.7,000 million.
The Indian beer market estimated currently at Rs.7,000 million a year, has been growing by 15% per annum and today all world famous brands of liquor are available in the Indian market. India has 212 distilleries with an installed capacity of 1,933 million liters per annum. However, there are only 24 units, which produce IMFl, and 31 units which produce country liquor. Alcohol produced by the balance units is either sold as industrial alcohol or sold in bulk as potable alcohol to other distilleries for bottling or for use. Such bottled alcohol is estimated at 927.82 million liters. Raw materials like Molasses, barley, maize, potatoes, grapes, yeast and hops for Beer and Alcoholic Products are abundantly available in India. Hence this industry is flourishing in India. Tea and coffee contain a small quantity of caffeine and have proved to be good for health if taken in small quantities. Green Tea has been proved to be very low on caffeine - about one third of that in a cup of a coffee. Tea and coffee stimulates every organ and particularly rejuvenates the central nervous system. Tea and coffee are major products of export from India and some of the best qualities are found here. In the foothills of the mighty Himalayas at an altitude of 1255 ft. grows the best teas in the world. And the best quality Arabica and Robusta coffee beans are also grown in India.
