India: Craft brewer Bira 91 to buy beverage chain operator The Beer Cafe

Sequoia Capital-backed Bira 91 said on October 12 it will buy beverage chain operator The Beer Cafe for an undisclosed price, giving the Indian craft beer maker access to more restaurants and pubs as dining out becomes a preferred option again, Reuters reported.

Started in 2015, Bira is one of India's most popular craft beer makers and is backed by Japan's Kirin Holdings and Belgium's Sofina. It competes with international brands such as Carlsberg as well as Heineken-owned and United Breweries.

The deal comes during the festival season in the South Asian country, with more people stepping out for socialising and dining after being forced to stay largely indoors for nearly two years of the pandemic.

Beer Cafe's chief executive officer, Rahul Singh, will lead the brand's operations, the companies said in a statement.

"We will be making some new private-label beers at Bira breweries,” Singh told Reuters, adding that the deal with Bira was an all-stock deal.

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