Uttarakhand craft beer and microbrewery rules, as of October 2026

One notification for three years

Uttarakhand's Excise Policy Rules for 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28 were notified on 5 March 2025 (notification 176/XXIII-1/2025-04(01)/2025). Most bar, brewery and wholesale clauses say they apply to all three years, so the 2026-27 position is largely the March 2025 text. The full notification is a scanned Hindi document, which is why so few summaries quote it accurately.

The microbrewery licence

Microbreweries are licensed. Rule 23.2 says licences for bottling plants, breweries, micro pub breweries, vintneries and wineries are issued under the relevant excise policy and rules. Rule 15 puts a microbrewery bar through the same online route as the FL-6 and FL-7 bar licences: apply to the district Assistant Excise Commissioner or District Excise Officer with a ₹50,000 application fee, which is adjusted against the licence fee if granted. The Excise Commissioner approves microbrewery licences. The department's procedures page lists forms MB-19 and MB-21 for a licence to establish and work a micro brewery.

We found no production cap or microbrewery licence fee in the 2025 rules. Both sit in the older microbrewery orders the rules leave in force, so ask the district office for them.

Growlers up to 5 litres and a three-day tank rule

Rule 13.1 allows a microbrewery to sell beer in growlers or kegs of up to 5 litres. It also limits the shelf life of duty-paid beer stored in microbrewery tanks to three days. Three days from duty payment to glass is tight. Brew to the taps rather than the fermenter. Keep your bright tank turnover honest.

The rules do not say a microbrewery may supply kegs to other bars. The only take-away container named is the 5 litre growler or keg, so treat supply to third-party bars as not permitted unless the excise office confirms otherwise in writing.

Duty and fees for a production brewery

The 2025 rules set spirits duty in detail but carry no beer duty rate in the text we read. Beer pricing appears in the department's cost card and MRP list, so build your numbers from that and the current duty notification. For a full-scale brewery the rules do set:

• ₹3 lakh for a B-20 licence to establish a brewery.
• An annual brewery licence fee of ₹1.5 lakh up to 5,000 kilolitres of installed capacity, ₹2.5 lakh from 5,001 to 10,000 kilolitres, then ₹7.50 per extra kilolitre.
• A bottling fee on beer of ₹1.25 per bulk litre, subject to a minimum of ₹1.25 lakh a year.
• Label registration of ₹80,000 per label for each brand and pack size of beer, cider or low-alcohol drink.

Our beer excise duty explainer covers how these layers stack up.

Pouring craft beer without a brewery

A venue without its own brewery needs a bar licence. The rules list FL-6(C) for hotel bars, priced by room count and star category, FL-7 for a restaurant bar at ₹4 lakh, FL-7(B) for a beer bar at ₹2 lakh and FL-7(C) for club bars. A beer bar licence is the cheapest way for a pizzeria to pour draught. Rule 13.1 also says pasteurised or draught beer may be permitted in bars.

Bars do not buy straight from the brewery. Under rule 14.1 the District Excise Officer issues a permit against a designated liquor shop. Stock moves on an FL-36 transport pass.

Wholesale is private but resident-only

There is no state beverage corporation in this chain. Foreign liquor, beer and wine reach shops through FL-2 wholesale licences, which for 2025-26 were granted only to permanent residents of Uttarakhand and not to manufacturers. Each FL-2 holder may buy from any brewery or bond licensee, so a craft brand needs a willing local wholesaler and a willing shop before its kegs reach a bar.

Contract brewing and what to check

The rules let distilleries bottle other brands under a 2016 government order, but we found no matching clause for beer. If you plan to brew on someone else's kit, ask the Excise Commissioner's office how a brand owner registers labels at a host brewery before you sign. Our contract brewing guide covers the deal itself. Rates and rules change, sometimes mid-year. Before you sign a lease or order kit, get the current position for your licence class in writing from the excise office and work with a licensing adviser. This guide is a working summary, not legal advice.

Common questions

Does Uttarakhand allow microbreweries?

Yes. The excise rules notified on 5 March 2025 provide for micro pub brewery licences, approved by the Excise Commissioner, with application forms MB-19 and MB-21.

Can an Uttarakhand microbrewery sell growlers?

Yes. The 2025-26 to 2027-28 rules allow microbreweries to sell beer in growlers or kegs of up to 5 litres.

Can a microbrewery in Uttarakhand supply other bars?

The rules do not say so. They name only 5 litre growlers or kegs. Bars buy stock against a permit from a designated shop, so confirm with the excise office before planning on it.

Which licence does a restaurant need to pour beer in Uttarakhand?

A bar licence. An FL-7 restaurant bar costs ₹4 lakh and an FL-7(B) beer bar ₹2 lakh a year under the current rules.