Mangaluru: Liquor vendors across Dakshina Kannada are reporting a persistent beer shortage weeks after the state rolled out the Alcohol-in-Beverage (AIB) taxation system, which lowered retail prices and triggered a sharp surge in demand.Retailers say the combination of reduced prices and soaring summer temperatures has significantly boosted beer consumption, catching suppliers off guard. With the supply chain struggling to keep pace, several outlets are reporting empty shelves and limited stocks, leaving customers disappointed and vendors concerned over lost sales.With the introduction of AIB system prices, supply, particularly in the premium beer segment, has reduced. According to vendors, the supply has remained inconsistent since early May. Several retailers said they are being forced to stock whatever brands are available, rather than what customers are asking for, as popular labels are frequently unavailable.Ramesh D Nayak of Rathna’s Wine Gate said beer supply has been poor from May to date, even as sales have climbed steeply. He pointed to a sharp year-on-year increase in May sales, with 50 lakh boxes sold this May compared to 37.1 lakh boxes during the same month last year. In Dakshina Kannada alone, sales were higher by about one lakh boxes. Despite the increased demand and a delayed arrival of monsoon, supply remains weak, and outlets are compelled to purchase brands that can be sourced. The supply constraints are also being felt in liquor categories beyond beer, he said.A vendor operating multiple outlets said beer shortages are common during summer, but the current situation is more acute, with several brands missing from shelves. He attributed the disruption to the recent price reduction in premium beers, adding that companies may still be relabelling products and updating packaging, delaying supplies. “Demand is high, but stocks are not reaching us,” the vendor said.It is alleged that some liquor outlets continue to charge the old prices despite the recent reduction. Vendors, however, maintain that they are still selling inventory purchased at previous rates, and have not yet received fresh stocks with revised price labels. They said the issue affects both beer and premium liquor.Bindushree P, deputy commissioner, excise department, Dakshina Kannada, said she has not received complaints specifically about a beer shortage so far. On allegations of overcharging after the price cut, she said bar and restaurant pricing is not regulated by the department, while complaints related to wine shops will be examined.Department sources said the AIB rollout has not significantly changed hard liquor sales, which continue to remain subdued across the district.
