Gurugram, May 7 -- Come June 12, beer lovers across Haryana will be paying significantly more for their drink, as the state's new excise policy brings a 55% hike in Indian beer prices and a 45% increase for imported ones. Popular domestic labels like Kingfisher, Carlsberg, Budweiser, and Hoegaarden will see sharp price revisions. A 650ml bottle of Kingfisher Ultra, currently retailing at Rs.90, will now cost Rs.140. Beers such as Corona and Amstel, previously priced at Rs.200 for a pint, will rise to Rs.290, while Tiger beer is expected to follow suit. A 330 ml beer bottle of Budweiser and Carlsberg will cost Rs.120 that used to cost Rs.75, said officials. Canned Beer that costed Rs.90 has been increased to Rs.130 (45%) for 500 ml can). Excise officials said that the cost of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and Imported Foreign Liquor (IFL) is set to rise by 15-20% under the new policy. They cited examples such as Absolute Vodka, which is will increase from Rs.1,200 to Rs.1,500, and Glenlivet, will jump from Rs.3,200 to Rs.3,800. Jitender Dudi, deputy excise and taxation commissioner, Gurugram (West), confirmed the increase. "Yes, there will be a 55% hike on Indian beers and 45% on imported ones. This is primarily to bring parity with neighbouring states and to promote Indian-made beer and liquor over imported alternatives," he said. "The excise department is also focusing on optimising revenue through fair pricing while reducing the consumption of foreign-labelled liquor, the deputy excise and taxation commissioner added. Officials said that this would increase government's revenue collection. The Haryana government has set a revenue target of Rs.14,064 crore for FY 2025-27 under its new excise policy. In the last 2024-25, the department surpassed expectations, collecting Rs.12,700 crore against a target of Rs.12,650 crore. Officials credited the achievement to improved enforcement, policy stability, and a rise in legal consumption. The 2025-27 excise policy aims to build on this momentum with reforms in liquor quota, duty structure, and stricter compliance enforcement. "With the increased license fee, it will be easier to achieve the targets," said Dudi. The sharp rise has left both consumers and liquor vendors unsettled. Nitin Malik, a corporate executive and regular beer drinker in Sector 29, said, "This kind of jump is too steep. Rs.140 for a local beer that used to cost Rs.90 makes it unaffordable for the middle class. We are not buying luxury items-we are talking about a casual beverage." Vishu Arora, a consumer, had similar sentiments. "Imported beer lovers are already paying a premium. With this increase, enjoying a chilled Corona or Hoegaarden with friends on weekends will become a luxury," he said. Liquor shop owners said they are equally concerned about the impact on their margins and customer base. "We have been informed that our investment per zone will rise by 20-30% under the new policy. With beer prices going up so much, footfall is bound to drop," said Sandeep Yadav, one of the vend partner. Another retailer, Vinod Yadav, who runs a shop near Sohna Road, said, "Margins will shrink, and we may lose regular buyers. Already, sales dip in summer if prices are hiked. We will now have to rework stock planning." Rahul Singh, CEO, of the Beer Cafe chain said the proposed hike in beer prices will be a sharp jolt for both consumers and the hospitality industry. "While we understand the state's intent to align pricing with neighbouring regions and enhance revenue, the timing-coinciding with peak summer beer demand-is concerning. Globally, progressive alcohol policies encourage a shift from hard spirits to lower-alcohol beverages like beer, recognising their role in promoting moderation and social responsibility. Such a steep increase in beer prices may inadvertently reverse this trend, pushing consumers toward higher-alcohol or unregulated alternatives," he said The new policy, approved by the Haryana Cabinet on Monday, is part of a broader excise revamp aimed at boosting state revenue, reducing unregulated drinking, and curbing illegal tavern operations....