Aurangabad known for its tourist attraction because of world famous Ajanta and Ellora caves has now become a major beer producing centre accounting for 15 per cent of country’s output.

Five beer industries of the city this year produced 13 crore litres of bear, which can easily cater to the need of the whole Maharashtra State.

Major multi-national beer industries situated in Aurangabad include Lila Sons, Asia Pacific, Millennium Beer,Sabmiller, Skol Breweries and Fosters. Practically every brand of the world is produced in the industries of the Aurangabad.

The Deputy Commissioner of the State Excise, Mr Vishwanath Indise said that, the Aurangabad district had given revenue of Rs 735 crore to the state this year, which is 38 per cent increase in production as well as income of the beer industry.

All this had happened because of the central location of the city and rich and sustainable water source of Jayakwadi Dam. Normally, a litre bear require 6.5 litres of water.

Research by an Australian team has indicated that the water of the Jayakwadi Dam is very suitable for the production of beer with its various ingredients including the soil.

Mr Vijay Chaugule is credited for establishing a fine brewery in Aurangabad named as Aurangabad Breweries Limited.

Another company Lila Sons is doing well since 1994 in Aurangabad and still leading, despite aggressive growth of the multi-national

companies. Mr Keshav Lila, the owner of the company said that, their family shifted from Rajasthan in 1994 and started Khajuraho Bear.

Mr Lila said that, every year their production is increasing and the company is introducing can beer in this month. The amicable atmosphere in Aurangabad and constant water resource, apart from the availability of the raw material are the major advantage for the beer industry in Aurangabad.

Mr Vishwanath Indise said that, two more beer companies are coming to Aurangabad. In addition, three food based Alcohol production units are also making efforts to establish their units in Aurangabad.

Aurangabad also has a number of liquor industry. The industries like United Distillery, ABD Private Limited, Volcon Distillery, DIGO Limited, Deccan Bottling are the major liquor producing industries here. These industries opted the choice of Aurangabad, for its central location. The officials of the beer industries said,the strategic location of Aurangabad became useful for the supply at every corner of India.

However, the beer industries in Aurangabad utilised only 84 crores 55 lakh litres of water and gave the net revenue of Rs 735 crore. Like Western Maharashtra, the projects of winery are coming up in the backward area of Marathwada region.

Mr Jeevanrao Gore, the President of the Godavari Basin Development Corporation established the winery, Elite Winery Pvt Limited with the investment of Rs 2 crore.

Mr Gore said that, he had developed the grapes of Siraj variety on his own 50 acres of land.

He said the quality of the wine in Osmanabad is very rich than in part of the State.

He said that, his winery unit produced 1 lakh litres of wine and the brand name is Charmian. However, Mr Gore expressed the unhappiness over the fact that their unit could not sale out a single litre of wine this year.

Mr Gore is making all out efforts to create marketing outlets for his wine.

However, Mr Gore said that, winery is the only viable alternative for Osmanabad and Latur, where the farmer traditionally produces grapes in hundreds of acres of land.