Bengaluru’s craft beer industry is starting to feel the impact of the cooking gas shortage. Microbreweries in the city warn that their beer production could slow down if LPG supplies do not improve. Many breweries use LPG to run boilers, which create the steam and heat needed to brew beer. During the peak summer season, when beer sales are high, this shortage worries brewery owners. A typical craft brewery needs between five and 15 LPG cylinders daily, depending on its size and production. With suppliers limiting industrial cylinder sales, some breweries are looking for alternative fuels, claimed media reports.
Mukesh Tolani, co-founder of Toit Brewpub, said, “We have enough LPG stock to last until Sunday. To avoid any disruption, we are discussing with our vendor about switching from LPG to diesel.” He also added that they are installing electric grillers and induction plates to use LPG more efficiently, reported by The Times of India.
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Bengaluru has over 80 microbreweries, mostly popular with the city’s young crowd. Prasanna Kumar, co-founder of Bengaluru Brewing Company, said their beer stock could run out in 15 days if the supply does not improve. “Gas is the main fuel for our boilers. The boiler produces the heat and steam needed to process malt. Switching to firewood or electric boilers quickly is costly and time-consuming. It can also change the flavour of the beer,” he explained.
Restaurants and pubs are also making menu changes. Nirmal PV, co-founder of Mannheim Craft Brewery, said they are focusing on dishes that need less heat. “Asian, Chinese, and Italian dishes require high heat, so we are shifting to simpler cooking methods,” he said.
Anirudha Kheny of Keen Mustard Ventures added that the gas shortage is causing stress for pub and restaurant owners. “Pubs already face limits on how many cylinders they can store. This shortage could tighten those limits further. Weekend crowds may be affected if some popular dishes are no longer available.”
Vinay Chandrashekar, founder of Long Boat Brewing Co, said his pub is removing some deep-fried items and using electric cooking equipment instead.
The shortage has also forced Huli, a craft rum distillery, to pause production. Aruna Urs, the founder, said the distillery could not get LPG cylinders from either public or private suppliers. “Huli is closed from Monday because we cannot get LPG for our boiler. Both our suppliers said they were only allowed to refill domestic canisters,” she wrote on X.
