United Breweries Limited (UBL), a part of the HEINEKEN Company, has announced the launch of its London Pilsner beer in Odisha, marking a significant expansion in its market reach. The company, known for its diverse portfolio of beer brands, introduced the product on September 09, 2025, making Odisha the fourth state to welcome this premium offering.

Product Details and Positioning

London Pilsner, positioned in the Strong Mainstream category, is crafted using European hops and undergoes a unique aging process. The beer is aged for one week at low temperatures, resulting in a smooth and strong taste profile. UBL has priced the product at INR 160.00 per 650ml bottle, aiming to make international-quality beer accessible to the domestic market.

Market Expansion

With this launch, Odisha joins Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh as markets where London Pilsner is available. This strategic move by UBL demonstrates the company's commitment to expanding its presence in India's evolving beer landscape.

Executive Insights

Vikram Bahl, Chief Marketing Officer of United Breweries Limited, shared his thoughts on the launch: "By launching London Pilsner in Odisha, we are celebrating the state's growing love for fine brews and recognizing its importance as a key market in India's beer landscape. With London Pilsner, a premium beer positioned at an accessible price point, we are confident that this innovation will help bring back the category growth."

Company Background

United Breweries Limited, headquartered in Bengaluru, stands as the largest beer manufacturer in India. As part of the HEINEKEN Company, UBL boasts a diverse product portfolio that includes well-known brands such as Kingfisher Strong, Kingfisher Premium, Kingfisher Ultra, Heineken® Original, Amstel Grande, and Heineken® 0.0, among others.

Market Implications

The introduction of London Pilsner in Odisha at a competitive price point of INR 160.00 for a 650ml bottle signifies UBL's strategy to drive category growth through premium offerings at accessible prices. This move could potentially influence the competitive landscape in Odisha's beer market and cater to the state's evolving consumer preferences for quality brews.

Availability

London Pilsner will be available across leading outlets in Odisha, allowing consumers in the state to experience this new offering from United Breweries Limited.

The launch of London Pilsner in Odisha represents UBL's ongoing efforts to expand its market presence and cater to the changing tastes of Indian beer consumers. As the company continues to innovate and introduce new products, it will be interesting to observe how this strategy impacts its market position and the overall growth of the beer category in India.

United Breweries Limited (UBL), a leading player in the Indian beer market, has reported strong performance for the first quarter of 2024 and announced upcoming changes in its senior management.

Strong Q1 2024 Performance

According to Heineken N.V.'s trading update for Q1 2024, United Breweries experienced impressive growth in its India operations. The company reported a 20.00% organic net revenue growth, driven by both volume increases and a positive price mix. Beer volume grew in the low-teens, outpacing the market despite cycling route-to-market changes from the previous year.

The premium portfolio showed particularly strong performance, with volume increasing in the low-twenties. This growth was led by popular brands Kingfisher Ultra and Heineken Silver, highlighting the company's success in the high-end segment of the market.

Innovation and Inclusivity

In a move to celebrate diversity and inclusivity, United Breweries launched Queenfisher, an all-women initiative, to commemorate International Women's Day. This initiative demonstrates the company's commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women in the industry.

Leadership Changes

United Breweries disclosed upcoming changes in its senior management team:

1. Resignation: Ms. Shelly Kohli, the current Director - Legal, will be stepping down from her position effective October 1, 2025. Ms. Kohli has accepted the role of Regional Legal Director for APAC with Heineken, which will commence on January 1, 2026.

2. New Appointment: Ms. Neha Munjral will be taking over as the new Director - Legal, effective October 1, 2025.

About Neha Munjral

Ms. Munjral brings a wealth of experience to her new role at United Breweries:

• Over 17 years of experience across Multinational Corporations and top-tier law firms in India
• Expertise in strategic board management, complex deal negotiation, compliance & investigations, and enterprise risk management
• Previously served as General Counsel and Head of CSR for GE Healthcare's medical device business in India & South Asia
• Led Enterprise Risk Management and Corporate Social Responsibility at GE Healthcare
• Held the position of General Counsel for the listed entity GE Power India Limited
• Graduate of the National Law School of India University, Bangalore, with an LLM degree from New York University School of Law

These leadership changes and strong financial performance indicate United Breweries' commitment to growth and excellence in the competitive Indian beer market. The company's focus on premium brands and innovative initiatives like Queenfisher suggests a strategic approach to capturing market share and promoting inclusivity in the industry.