Bachhus lovers can savour liquor brewed by tribals now

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 29

Bacchus lovers can now enjoy local liquor like angoori (grapes) and chuli (apricot) for the first time. The government has allowed commercial manufacturing and sale of these drinks.

If Goa is known for its feni, Andhra Pradesh for its toddy and Sikkim for its cherry and cardamom liquor, angoori happens to be the most famous and well-known liquor in Himachal. Though a wide variety of fruit wines ranging from kiwi, apricot, plum, peach and apple are being manufactured and sold, it is for the first time that people can buy the local liquors off the shelf.

The practice of manufacturing local liquor, especially in tribal areas, is old but it was self-consumed and its sale was not allowed.

Though much in demand, these varieties are not easily available otherwise. Under the new Excise Policy for 2018-19, the government has decided to issue licences for manufacture and retail sale of country-fermented and distilled liquor. This will help promote micro-breweries and indigenous fruit-based liquors, especially in the tribal belt.

The seven locally fermented liquors for home consumption included angoori (grape), bhandy (barley), bem (local product bhemy) and chuli (apricot) in Kinnaur, allo in Pangi, aha (barley) in Lahaul and Spiti and soor in Dodra Kwar of Shimla. The commercial sale of these liquors has been permitted, said Principal Secretary, Excise and Taxation Department, JC Sharma.

For the commercial production of these brands, manufacturing units would be established and the chain — manufacturing, wholesalers, vendors — be followed. Guidelines were being formulated for quality control and the prices would be linked to cost input and production, he added.If the percentage of alcohol was less than the standard norm, an addition of spirit would be allowed. The L-20-B licence would be issued by the Collector (Excise) of the zone for allotment of vends and manufacture of country liquor by distillation from fruits and grains.

A registration fee of Rs 36,81,500 has been fixed for the vends to be opened at Dari, Sungal, Paprola Pul, Paraur, and Bandla in Kangra district, Khaliyar and Ahju in Mandi and Manali and Bhuntar in Kullu.

However, L-20-C and L-20-D licences would be given for manufacture and possession of country-fermented liquor or country-distilled liquor for home consumption and for the use on special occasions on the payment of Rs 10 for one year, he said.

The areas notified for manufacture and possession of country-distilled liquor for home consumption and for use on special occasions respectively included Bharmaur and Lakkar Mandi (only for Dhogries) of Chamba, Kinnaur district, Dodra-Kwar in Shimla district, whole of Mandi district except Chachiot, 42 specified villages in Paonta Sahib and 70 specified villages in Renukaji, Kothi Kohar and Kothi Swar and 17 villages of Baijnath and Kullu district and tribal Pangi.

Local flavour 

Commercial sale of tribal liquor includes Angoori, Bhandy (barley), Bem (local product bhemy) and Chuli (apricot) in Kinnaur

Allo in Pangi Aha (Barley) in Lahaul and Spiti

Soor in Dodra Kwar area of Shimla

Promoting indigenous fruit-based liquor

• Though a wide variety of fruit wines are being manufactured and sold, it is for the first time that people can buy these off the shelf
• These varieties are not easily available otherwise
• Under the new Excise Policy for 2018-19, the government has decided to issue licences for manufacture and retail sale of country-fermented and distilled liquor
• This will help promote micro-breweries and indigenous fruit-based liquors, especially in the tribal belt.