Beer sales in Kalaburagi have surged sharply amid extreme summer heat, with consumption rising significantly across March and April despite higher excise duties.
Kalaburagi
Beer sales in Kalaburagi district have recorded a sharp rise as intense summer heat continues to grip the region, with temperatures ranging between 40°C and 45°C. Despite recent increases in excise duty, consumers are increasingly opting for beer to cope with the rising heat, leading to strong growth in sales across the district.
Kalaburagi has seven excise zones, with supply managed through Karnataka State Beverages Corporation depots in Kalaburagi and Sedam. Official figures show that beer sales in March 2026 reached 1,38,674 boxes, generating an estimated revenue of ₹24.96 crore. This marks an 18.21% increase compared to March 2025, when 1,17,314 boxes were sold. In March 2024, sales stood at 1,39,539 boxes.
The upward trend continued in April 2026, which saw a record 1,65,554 beer boxes sold, compared to 1,37,203 boxes in April 2025, reflecting a 20.66% rise year-on-year. In April 2024, the figure was 1,59,275 boxes.
Excise officials expect demand to remain high through May due to persistent heat conditions, with projected sales of 1,70,281 boxes for May 2026. For comparison, May 2025 recorded 1,50,691 boxes, while May 2024 stood at 1,70,452 boxes, a peak year influenced partly by election season demand.
Data also indicates that Kalaburagi city and nearby areas account for nearly 44.5% of total consumption in the district. Out of 3,04,228 boxes sold in March and April 2026, Zones 1 and 2 of Kalaburagi alone contributed nearly half, highlighting strong urban concentration in beer consumption patterns during peak summer months.