ALCOHOL IN KERALA

No one disputes that there is a problem with alcohol abuse amongst many Indian men, and Kerala is no different. The state has a high per capita consumption of alcohol which at 8.3 litres, is double the national average of 4 litres. Where there is disagreement is over political solutions.

In 2014 the previous Congress led administration introduced a near-complete ban on alcohol envisioning a complete ban by 2025. In pursuit of this only five-star hotels were granted hard liquor licenses and beer and wine could only be sold in dedicated ‘parlours’. Hundreds of bars were forced to close, including bars in 5 star hotels within 500m of a highway. Alcohol could still be sold for private consumption at one of the 338 state owned Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC) shops, but that 10% of these would be closed every year.

 Since the new LDF government was elected in 2017 it has announced that Kerala is returning to the old days and reversing the prohibition. It will allow three-star and four-star hotels to run bars, while two-star hotels can run beer/wine parlours. Under the new rules, alcohol can be sold at airports, toddy can be served at hotels and there will be relief for bars and hotels affected by the 500 metre ruling. The minimum drinking age has been raised from 21 to 23. Toddy, a locally produced mildly alcoholic palm wine made from the sap of palm tree, will continue to be legally sold, and toddy shops will be permitted to operate as earlier.

The reasoning for the change in policy is essentially economic with the loss of tourism and jobs but evidence indicates drug consumption increased as did bootlegging.

So alcohol does continue to be available but not on ‘dry days’. These are specific days when the sale of alcohol is prohibited. They are fixed by state governments and most observe dry days on major religious festivals/occasions and national holidays. In Kerala the first day of each month is a dry day.

Normal hotel bar with Shajoo and Biju

We are all, I assume, familiar with bars in hotels as convivial well-lit spaces where all genders can buy and enjoy a drink. In contrast the beer and wine parlours I have visited are less inviting. Essentially they are dedicated drinking dens for men only, often dimly lit, and more redolent of dockside bars of the 1950s and 1960s. Most do not sell alcohol for taking out meaning purchasing for home consumption has to be made at KSBC shops.

KSBC shops can equally be uninviting. The standard counter where the cheaper locally produced bottles are sold involves queuing to get to a metal screen through which orders are placed, money paid and bottles handed back. At certain times of day scores of men jostle to get their fix.

Queuing for alcohol



High security counter

 In contrast many shops have a premium room where imported bottles are sold. These tend to be less crowded due to the higher prices and are self-service so altogether far more convivial. However anyone expecting brands available in Europe will be disappointed. Wines are Indian made in other states and spirits are Indian blends.

Premium sales room

 Despite the plethora of rules and the effort required to get a drink there is still nothing better than a cold beer on a hot and humid Keralan day. Cheers!