Mumbai:
Given the rising demand for beer, the state excise department has received a proposal to set up the first outlet to sell craft beer in the city.
Craft beer is freshly brewed without use of preservatives and has alcohol content which is lesser than in canned beer containers.
As per the proposal submitted by a US-based firm, the craft beer unit will come up in south Mumbai. The company plans to import all the raw material from Japan.
The concept is fashioned on the lines of western countries where beer is brewed on the spot and served fresh.
"The department is keen to grant permission to this first-of-its-kind unit in the city.
The proposal is awaiting a nod from top officials," said a senior excise official on condition of anonymity.
"Though the state has already permitted setting up of small brewing units across the state, it has not got any response for the same," the officer added.
"Considering the growth of the beer industry, companies are showing interest to set up such breweries in the state," said the officer.
The revenue collected from beer during 2009-10 is nearly Rs 700 crore about Rs 300 crore more than the collection of the previous fiscal.
BPO executive Manish Kotwani is looking forward to the new experience.
"It'll be great to see beer made in front of you. Having the fresh brew will be great," said Kotwani.
"Hope such craft beer outlets are started everywhere, like you find beer bars." A pub owner from Malad, Ronnie D'souza, has a slightly different view.
"The concept seems interesting, but what matters is taste. If craft beer tastes the same, it will be of no use," said D'souza, a beer drinker.
Mumbai consumes 12 lakh litres of beer per month.