IHCL, AB InBev launch first 7Rivers Brewpub in Bengaluru
/Anheuser Busch Inbev (Ab InBev) and Tata-owned Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) have jointly opened their first microbrewery, 7Rivers Brewing Co, at the Taj property in Bengaluru, after a delay of six months due to Covid-19 led disruption that led to shuttering of bars till it reopened in September.
The microbrewery was in the making since the fourth quarter of last fiscal and original plan was to launch it in peak summer season which overlapped with the nationwide lockdown. Now, the world’s biggest brewer and country’s largest hospitality chain are banking on this pre-pandemic project to revive sales as both sectors have been hit hard amid travel curbs and negligible socializing.
Kartikeya Sharma, president-South Asia at AB InBev said, “People are sick and tired of being at home and drinking beer by themselves or virtually with friends. As government is easing the lockdown and more consumers aching to go out again, it was the right time to open up the venue.” Instead of selling draught versions of existing bottled beer brands, AB Inbev will brew new styles of craft beer at the brewpub.
