Business

AB InBev signs deal with Indian Hotels Company to open microbreweries

From left Jan Craps, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Budweiser APAC and President – APAC, AB InBev and Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO, IHCL.

By: Radhakrishna N S

ANHEUSER Busch InBev (AB InBev) has signed a deal with The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) to launch a premium chain of microbreweries within its marquee hotels across key locations in India.

This partnership is worth Rs 1.5 billion (£17.34 million), with plans to open 15 microbreweries over the next five years.

This exclusive partnership will leverage the collective strengths of the two leading companies to shape the future of quality craft beer in India, South Asia’s largest hospitality company said in a statement on Monday (7).

Commenting on the partnership, Jan Craps, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Budweiser APAC and President – APAC, AB InBev said: “We are delighted to partner with IHCL with its portfolio of exceptional hotels to open specialty microbreweries across top urban cities of India.

“The microbreweries will be conceptualized by ZX Ventures, our global innovation and investment team that will bring in their global brewing expertise to develop the current ecosystem and delight our consumers.

“We look forward to working with the emerging craft community in the country and are confident that our synergies in this category will shape the craft beer industry in India.”

Anheuser-Busch InBev is based in Leuven, Belgium.

Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said: “In our endeavour to bring the latest international trends and experiences for our guests, we are privileged to join hands with the world’s largest brewer, AB InBev. This partnership, exclusive to IHCL will be a first of its kind in the hospitality industry in India.

“With its diverse collection of over 500 beer brands, AB InBev will be involved in setting up on-site microbreweries at some of our iconic hotels; the first of which will be at Taj MG Road, Bengaluru, followed by Goa, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.”

JOI Design from Hamburg will design all the microbreweries.

IHCL, an Indian hotel giant operates 190 hotels including 38 under development globally across four continents, 12 countries, and in over 80 locations.