UK: Indian-born beer baron celebrates British lordship

An Indian-born beer baron whose beer has become the toast of curry houses across Britain was appointed to the country's unelected upper chamber of parliament, the House of Lords, BBC released on May 03.

Entrepreneur Karan Bilimoria, 45, is best known in Britain for Cobra beer, the lager he began selling from the back of his car 17 years ago and which is now sold in more than 5,000 Indian restaurants up and down the country.

The son of an Indian army general who rejected an accountancy career for brewing, his tipple is now sold in more than 35 countries, for an annual turnover of a cool 80 million pounds (117 million euros, 147 million dollars).

Bilimoria's name was among seven non-party political peers recommended for a seat by the House of Lords Appointments Commission, set up in 2000 following the abolition of the previous hereditary system for seats.