Chennai: Tasmac has some cheerful news for beer lovers. It plans to add four new varieties of the alcoholic beverage, sold in other states, to its retail list by the end of this year.Sources at the state-owned liquor corporation confirmed that the Tasmac board recently completed price negotiations for the four beer varieties. United Breweries will supply Heineken Silver Premium Malt Lager Beer from its manufacturing unit in Karnataka; Chhattisgarh-based Sona Beverages Ltd will supply Simba Roar Series Strong Premium Beer. Mount Everest Breweries Ltd will supply Lee Mount Premium Strong Beer and Stok Strong Beer from its manufacturing plant in Mysuru. “Since they come under the imported category, the prices will start from ₹250 and will be sold in both regular and elite shops,” added Tasmac sources.Currently, Tasmac procures 21 beer varieties from seven breweries in Tamil Nadu, apart from the imported beer sold in elite shops. In 2023, Tasmac relaxed its conditions for the first time to procure beer from other States and introduced brands such as Woodpecker.Tasmac officials said the board decisions will be forwarded to the govt for approval and the excise department will issue a label of registration, after which the supply will begin. “All four varieties are likely to be on sale by the end of this year,” said an official, on condition of anonymity.Vimal S of Moovarasanpet welcomed the decision, saying it was long overdue. “Last year also, I read that Tasmac would introduce popular beer varieties that are in demand, but the names of the ones introduced were unheard of. I hope Tasmac will not disappoint this time. Tasmac should make more choices available to customers,” he said.
