No Kingfisher, No Budweiser: Popular Beer Brands Mysteriously Vanish, Drinkers Left Desperate and Furious!

Delhi(The Uttam Hindu): Beer lovers in Delhi are reeling from an unexpected crisis as major liquor shops across the capital report empty shelves for popular beer brands. In the peak of monsoon humidity, residents looking to unwind with a chilled beer are shocked to find favorites like Kingfisher, Budweiser, Tuborg, Carlsberg, and Hunter missing in action. The shortage has sparked frustration among regular buyers, with many now traveling to nearby cities like Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad to get their preferred brews.

Industry insiders blame the stock crunch on a combination of supply chain hiccups and the rigid distribution policies of government-run alcohol outlets in Delhi. Store owners say they have no power to choose what brands they sell; instead, state-controlled agencies decide what inventory is shipped. When popular Indian beers or mainstream imports don’t arrive, customers are left with unfamiliar options.

Meanwhile, beers imported from neighboring countries like Bhutan and Nepal are widely available, but these lesser-known brands come with higher price tags and limited takers. Many consumers are hesitant to spend more on beers they don’t recognize, though some give in when left with no choice. Retailers admit they prefer stocking these imports because they offer better profit margins and face fewer customs duties compared to premium beers from Europe or the US.

The beer drought shows no signs of ending soon, and with temperatures rising, Delhiites might have to keep trekking to NCR cities for their weekend fix.