Though Zomato scaled back its alcohol delivery, in active zones it remains a competitor.
| Parameter | India | USA (select states) | UK | Singapore | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | No | No (state-by-state) | Yes | Yes (licensed) | | Private delivery apps | Limited (3-4 states) | Yes (Drizly, Instacart) | Yes | Yes (Pandamart) | | Beer in grocery delivery | Only in licensed states | Yes | Yes | No (separate license) | | Tax (as % of MRP) | 50–75% (state excise + GST) | 20–40% | 20% VAT | 60% (Duty) |
The ability to is currently a state-specific privilege , not a national right. While the market exists and is growing (estimated at $250 million GMV in 2024, confined to 6–8 cities), it remains highly regulated. For consumers, the experience is convenient in Delhi and Mumbai but impossible in Chennai or Lucknow. For businesses, the opportunity is lucrative but operationally heavy. The coming years will likely see gradual liberalization, but a unified “Amazon for Beer” in India remains a distant reality.
Before you open that app and search for "craft beer near me," keep these three rules in mind: