Beer brands missing from Delhi bars, restaurants. Here's why

A shortage of beer is causing a significant drop in sales at liquor stores, bars, and prominent clubs in Delhi, reported TOI, citing restaurateurs. They report that popular beer brands are scarce at warehouses, which has begun affecting sales at their establishments.

Additionally, some popular spirits are also not available, prompting customers to visit bars and clubs in neighboring towns in Haryana and UP.

Restaurateurs procure liquor stock by placing orders through a portal operated by the excise department. However, they allege they are unable to source beer as the portal often indicates that the warehouse is closed. "But when we try to source beer, it says the warehouse is closed," TOI quoted a bar owner in south Delhi as saying.

They further allege that the limited stock received by Delhi wholesalers is being redirected to government-run shops to minimize the appearance of a shortage. This issue, which has been ongoing since April, has intensified recently. "What we have come to know is that whatever little stock Delhi's wholesalers get is being diverted to the shops, which are run by govt's corporations, to show that there is no shortage. Though this problem has been persisting since April, it has become acute in the last few days," TOI reported, citing a source.

Sudhakar Banerjee, a banker, shared his recent experience, saying, "He visited a popular niche restaurant with his family on Sunday and was surprised to find that not even a single brand of beer was available. When we asked for our favorite brands of whiskey, even those were not available," Banerjee said.

Delhi boasts over 680 liquor shops, and roughly 940 hotels, clubs, and restaurants that serve liquor. Beer remains a highly saleable item during the summer months. Restaurateur Priyank Sukhija highlighted the challenges they face, stating, "Most restaurateurs don't know what to sell in the absence of popular and premium beer, whiskey, and tequila brands." He emphasized that the lack of availability is impacting the customer experience.

Cocktail bars also report that many expatriate customers complain about their drinks not being made with their preferred spirits. Sidhant Sharma, a partner at nightclubs, noted, "Outlets are facing a dual problem of popular brands not being available and those that are available are in short supply."

Sandeep Goyle, head of the Delhi chapter of the National Restaurant Association of India, confirmed that the usual fast-selling popular brands are currently unavailable. "Most of the usual fast selling popular brands aren't available these days," he said.

The shortage's effects are widely felt across the city's hospitality sector, with restaurateurs and bar owners struggling to meet the demands of their customers amidst dwindling supplies.

(With inputs from TOI)