Bira 91 Success Story | How India’s Coolest Beer Brand Became a Global Craft Icon
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Bira 91 Success Story | How Bira Became India’s Coolest Beer Brand and a Global Craft Icon
In a country where mass-produced lagers dominated the beer market, one brand disrupted the status quo with bold flavors, quirky branding, and a youthful attitude. That brand was Bira 91. Launched in 2015 by Ankur Jain, Bira 91 has grown into one of India’s fastest-growing craft beer companies, winning over millions of millennials and Gen Z drinkers not just in India, but across the globe.
Today, Bira 91 stands as a symbol of modern India’s taste, creativity, and global ambition — a homegrown brand that has successfully tapped into the evolving preferences of young, urban consumers.
The Origin Story – Beer with an Indian Soul and Global Standards
Ankur Jain, a computer science graduate from the US, returned to India with a simple idea: India deserves better beer. After starting with imported craft beers under the company Cerana Beverages, he soon realized that Indian drinkers wanted something unique — not just foreign labels. This led to the birth of Bira 91, where "91" proudly stands for India’s country code.
Bira entered the market with its now-iconic White (wheat beer) and Blonde Lager, offering flavorful, low-bitterness beers at affordable prices. The bold monkey logo, vibrant packaging, and pop-culture-inspired campaigns instantly resonated with young Indians.
How Bira 91 Became a Trendsetter
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Unique Flavors Crafted for Indian Palates
Bira 91 introduced wheat beer, light beer, and strong beer variants with flavor-first profiles that were rare in India’s beer scene. -
Quirky, Youth-Centric Branding
From its monkey mascot to playful ads, Bira’s branding stood out on shelves and in minds. -
Aggressive Urban Expansion
Starting in Delhi and Bangalore, Bira quickly expanded to metro cities and later to international markets like the USA, UK, and Singapore. -
Smart Partnerships & Sponsorships
From sponsoring the ICC T20 World Cup to global music and tech festivals, Bira positioned itself where the youth were.
Funding & Global Growth
Bira 91 has raised over $250 million in funding from investors like Sequoia Capital, Sofina, and Kirin Holdings. The brand now operates several breweries in India and exports to over 18 countries, including the US — a rare feat for an Indian alcohol brand.
Sustainability & Innovation
Beyond beer, Bira 91 is also investing in sustainability with solar-powered breweries and goals to become carbon neutral by 2025. The brand has also forayed into alcohol-free beverages, craft sodas, and merchandise, expanding its identity from a beer brand to a lifestyle label.
Bira 91’s Journey at a Glance
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Bira 91 launched in India |
| 2016 | Viral success in metro cities |
| 2018 | Expansion to international markets |
| 2020 | Crossed 2 million barrels annually |
| 2023 | Ranked among top craft beer brands globally |
Conclusion: India's Coolest Beer, Now a Global Icon
From a bold startup in Delhi to a global craft beer brand, Bira 91's journey reflects the ambition and creativity of new-age Indian startups. It didn’t just sell beer — it sold a lifestyle, a voice, and an identity. Today, Bira is more than a beverage; it’s a movement of bold taste and global dreams.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Bira 91 was founded by Ankur Jain in 2015. He is an Indian entrepreneur and the visionary behind the brand’s success.
Bira 91 offers flavor-first, low-bitterness beers with international-quality brewing, quirky branding, and a strong focus on young urban drinkers.
The number 91 in Bira 91 represents India’s international dialing code, symbolizing the brand’s Indian roots and global vision.
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