Kerala liquor policy: Restaurants in tourist destinations allowed to serve beer, wine

Thiruvananthapuram: Restaurants in tourist destinations across Kerala are now allowed to serve beer and wine, according to the newly announced Liquor Policy 2023-24. This long-awaited policy, which took approximately 10 months to finalise, introduces draft guidelines for the sale of these beverages.

Under the new guidelines, restaurants located in tourist spots can apply for a three-month license to serve beer and wine. The fee for this license is Rs. 1 lakh, and applications will soon be accepted online. This flexible arrangement allows establishments to align their licenses with the tourist season, as obtaining a year-long license may not be financially viable for all.

Previously, many restaurants in tourist areas engaged in the illegal sale of liquor. To combat this, excise and police officials conducted regular checks, which often caused inconvenience to tourists. The new regulations are expected to curb this illegal activity significantly.

Additionally, three-star hotels and resorts in tourist destinations are now permitted to serve fresh toddy tapped from their premises. Only coconut trees within the premises, registered with the excise department, can be tapped, and these trees will be subject to taxation. The excise department will also maintain records of the produce from each tree. Also, hotels and resorts are not allowed to sell toddy outside.  

These establishments can also use the 'Kerala Toddy' branding for their toddy products.

Production of wine from local fruits

The draft guidelines also include provisions for the production of wine from local fruits. Entities interested in manufacturing and distributing such wine must obtain a license from the excise department. Notably, there are no requirements for these wines to be sold exclusively through the Beverages Corporation.