In less than a decade, Bira 91 rose from a quirky new entrant to the face of modern beer culture. With its bright labels, playful monkey mascot, and light, crisp flavour, it turned beer drinking into a statement of youth and urban cool.

But the same brand that once symbolised the start-up swagger is now staring down a severe financial storm, one that has halted its production lines, triggered employee protests, and left investors questioning what went wrong.

Founded in 2015 by Ankur Jain, an alumnus of Carnegie Mellon University, Bira 91 was born out of a simple idea, that India needed its own craft beer. Jain’s experience running pubs in London exposed him to a vibrant brewing culture, something he found missing back home. On his return, he sought to create a beer that is lighter, fruit

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