Bar Economics

The Goa Loophole: Why every Indian craft gin is distilled in one state

Goa isn't just a party state; it has the most progressive, startup-friendly excise laws in India. Cheap licenses and relaxed distillation rules created the perfect incubator for the craft spirits boom.

FAQs

Why do craft liquor brands start in Goa?

Goa offers relatively cheap and easily obtainable distillation and bottling licenses compared to the rest of India. In states like Maharashtra or Karnataka, securing a distillery license requires massive capital and navigating labyrinthine bureaucracy, locking out small startups.

Is alcohol tax lower in Goa?

Yes, Goa's state excise duties are famously low. This not only makes the final product cheaper for consumers but significantly lowers the working capital required for a startup to produce, store, and sell their initial batches.

Which popular Indian gins are made in Goa?

Almost the entire first wave of the Indian craft gin revolution was born in Goa, including Greater Than, Hapusa, Stranger & Sons, Samsara, and Pumori.

Full explainer coming soon. Run node scripts/generate-explainers.mjs to draft it.