Andhra tops in beer consumption

HYDERABAD: Beer sales have gone up in the state, creating a record of sorts in March. According to AP Wine Shop Dealers Association president D Venkateswara Rao, about 55 lakh cases of beer of all brands were sold in March alone in the state and it is the highest in the past few years in the country.There was a spurt in sale of beer from April last to March this year which recorded 3.5 crore cases. Venkateswara Rao said the reason for increasing sales was because of slash in prices of beer bottles from Rs 100 to Rs 71.Earlier, the wine shop dealers used to sell  beer at more than the MRP. After the ACB raids all the wine shops in the state started selling beer at MRP. With reduction in the price of beer, tipplers began purchasing  beer, pushing its sale upwards.Kingfisher and Royal Challenge were among  the most sought after brands. On the other hand there is no big increase in the sales of whisky. According to Venkateswara Rao there is no shortage of beer till date but if the trend continues, there would soon be a short supply of beer in the coming months.