The Irish beers and ciders major will partner with the wholly owned subsidiary of Spanish brewing major Mahou San Miguel initially to produce Tennent’s Whisky Oak Aged Beer and Tennent’s IPA under licence at a production centre located in Bhiwadi, Rajhastan.
The IPA will be the first authentic Indian pale ale to be brewed in the country, where a rapidly growing beer market has been showing strong fundamentals for accelerated growth in the short-term, said Joris Brams, managing director of C&C Group’s international division.
“The deal strengthens Tennent’s presence in India, and we hope it allows for participation in the spectacular growth and premiumisation of the Indian beer market,” he said.
Based in Gurgaon, Haryana, Mahou India is the first international subsidiary of Mahou San Miguel, a Spanish-owned family company and market leader in Spain with a production share of 35.5%.
Erik D’Auchamp, chief executive of Mahou India, added: “This alliance is one step further in our long-term vocation in the region and an exciting opportunity to continue exploring with C&C Group new ways to satisfy the needs of the Indian market, innovating and contributing new value to a consumer who appreciates more and more the taste of a full flavoured beer.”
C&C Group manufactures cider brands Bulmers and Magners, as well as the Scottish Tennent’s beer brand and craft ciders in the United States.
It also distributes a number of beers in Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland, primarily for Anheuser-Busch InBev, and owns Wallaces Express, a Scottish drinks wholesaler.
Mahou San Miguel entered the Indian market in 2012 by acquiring a 50% stake of Arian Breweries & Distilleries and subsequently assumed full ownership two years later in a bid to increase its global reach. The company now has a presence in over 60 countries with a global workforce of over 2800.
Its Indian portfolio currently includes Mahou 5 Star and Dare Devil, which are present in 12 states, and Mahou Clásica, which is sold in six states.