Karnataka beer sales rise 41% amid new tax rules, hot weather

Karnataka recorded a 41.32% rise in beer sales between April and September 2026, driven by new alcohol-based taxation rules and hot weather. The state collected ₹22,191.63 crore in excise revenue during the first half of the 2026–27 financial year, marking a 13.39% increase over the previous year. Beer sales contributed ₹3,337.88 crore to the state exchequer.