Odisha Microbrewery Policy 2026: How to Get a Microbrewery License in Odisha

Odisha Microbrewery Policy: How to Get a Microbrewery License in Odisha

Odisha is one of the few Indian states that has introduced specific regulations for microbreweries. The Excise Department allows eligible hotels and restaurants to manufacture and serve freshly brewed craft beer within their own premises, creating new opportunities for hospitality businesses and entrepreneurs.

If you are planning to open a brewpub or microbrewery in Odisha, understanding the licensing requirements before investing in equipment or property is essential.

What is a Microbrewery?

A microbrewery is a small brewery where beer is brewed and served fresh at the same location. Unlike large commercial breweries that package and distribute beer across multiple markets, a microbrewery primarily serves customers visiting the restaurant or brewpub.

Under the Odisha Microbrewery Policy, the maximum permitted installed production capacity is 1,000 litres per day.

Who Can Open a Microbrewery in Odisha?

A microbrewery cannot operate as a standalone business.

According to the policy, it must be established within a hotel, restaurant, club, or similar hospitality establishment that already holds a valid licence to serve alcoholic beverages for consumption on its premises. Only such establishments are eligible to apply for a microbrewery licence.

If you are planning a new project, obtaining the required hospitality and liquor licences is an important step before applying for the microbrewery licence.

Infrastructure Requirements

The policy specifies several minimum requirements before a licence can be granted.

These include:

• A dedicated brewing area of at least 1,000 square feet
• Adequate parking facilities
• Approval from the Fire Department
• Approval from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board
• A detailed brewery layout and equipment plan submitted with the application

Planning these requirements during the design stage helps avoid delays during inspections.

Annual Licence Fee

The annual licence fee for operating a microbrewery in Odisha is ₹15 lakh.

Apart from the licence fee, investors should also budget for brewery equipment, refrigeration systems, utilities, interiors, laboratory equipment, and civil work.

Quality Control Requirements

Beer quality is an important part of the licensing conditions.

Every microbrewery must:

• Employ a qualified chemist or brewing professional to supervise production.
• Test raw materials before use.
• Certify every batch of beer before it is served.
• Send beer samples to a laboratory every month for testing.
• Display laboratory reports at the brewery premises.

These measures help ensure that customers receive safe and consistent quality beer.

Production Limits

The policy allows breweries to produce and serve fresh beer within their licensed premises.

Important production conditions include:

• Maximum production capacity of 1,000 litres per day
• Beer strength must not exceed 8% ABV
• Beer can only be served after quality certification by the appointed chemist.

Excise Duty

In addition to the annual licence fee, breweries are required to pay advance excise duty.

The current policy specifies an advance duty of ₹25 per bulk litre, payable quarterly based on the approved production capacity.

Operational Compliance

Once the brewery becomes operational, proper records must be maintained for inspection.

These include:

• Brewing logs
• Production records
• Fermentation temperature records
• Original gravity and final gravity records
• Flow meter readings
• Beer stock records

The policy also requires electronic flow meters to be installed under the supervision of the Excise Department.

Important Points to Remember

Before investing in a microbrewery, keep these key requirements in mind:

• The brewery must operate within an eligible hotel or restaurant licensed to serve alcohol.
• Maximum production capacity is 1,000 litres per day.
• Annual licence fee is ₹15 lakh.
• Minimum brewing area required is 1,000 square feet.
• Monthly laboratory testing is mandatory.
• Maximum beer strength is 8% ABV.
• Fire and Pollution Control approvals are compulsory.

How Six Row Brewing Can Help

Setting up a successful microbrewery requires much more than purchasing brewing equipment.

At Six Row Brewing, we help clients with:

• Brewery feasibility studies
• Brewery layout planning
• Equipment selection
• Utility design
• Recipe development
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Quality management systems
• Staff training
• Brewery commissioning
• Operational support

Our goal is to help entrepreneurs build efficient, compliant, and profitable breweries from day one.

Final Thoughts

Odisha's Microbrewery Policy provides a clear framework for hospitality businesses looking to enter the growing craft beer market. By understanding the licensing process, infrastructure requirements, production limits, and compliance obligations before investing, entrepreneurs can significantly reduce project delays and establish a successful brewpub with confidence.