Microbreweries in Delhi to provide takeaway service and supply to bars

Despite the excise clearance, microbreweries could not come up in the city until 2019 when the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had allowed their establishment in the city. Till then, these units were considered ‘liquor-making plants’ and were prohibited from operating in Delhi.

The amended excise rules, published in a gazette notification on Monday, are aimed at addressing the issue, said a Delhi government official. The rules also mandate a set of quality checks to ensure the safety of the product being served.

The notification states that microbreweries will be allowed to sell draught beer to hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants and banquet halls holding licenses to serve liquor.

“Draught beer shall be allowed to be taken away in bottles or ‘growlers’.

However, wherever draught beer is being served as a takeaway, clear signage and information will be needed to put up about its short shelf life and the bottles will have to mention the expiry date clearly,” the notification says.

Establishments found selling draught beer “after its expiry date will immediately have his license revoked”, it warns.