India really likes its beer

New Delhi -- Beer drinking in India has nearly doubled since 2002, as consumption shot up by 90 percent, a report by Canadean research showed.

Credit for the growth goes to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, where more people have developed a taste for the suds, Press Trust of India reported Monday. Higher incomes, lower taxes and a more liberal distribution policy also fueled sales.

The 90 percent growth in beer consumption exceeds Brazil, 20 percent; Russia, 50 percent; and China, nearly 60 percent, the research firm said.

Higher per-capita incomes, improving lifestyles and consumers with discerning palates contributed to the demand for better brewed products in India, the All India Brewers' Association said.

The total beer market in India is around 136 million cases, PTI reported.

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