Lager lovers of Delhi have all the reasons to say cheers as the AAP government today gave its nod for setting up licensed micro-brew pubs in the city.

New Delhi: Lager lovers of Delhi have all the reasons to say cheers as the AAP government today gave its nod for setting up licensed micro-brew pubs in the city.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at Delhi Secretariat in New Delhi.

Until now, people wanting to savour the freshly-brewed bubbly had to travel all the way to Gurgaon and Faridabad in Haryana where such breweries exist in large numbers.

"The government has approved a proposal, prepared by the Excise Department, to allow microbreweries in hotels and restaurants across the national capital," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said.

According to the government, allowing microbreweries in the city will make available to Delhiites, fresh beer in different flavors, as is available in other places such as Gurgaon and Bengaluru.

A senior official said the government will soon notify the decision, following which anyone who wants a license to set up microbreweries in hotels and restaurants can apply.

Micro-breweries produce a small amount of beer and are served to customers. Such breweries are usually set up in pubs that cater to niche tastes.

"The government's decision will also help generate more revenue," the official added.

In India, Haryana was the first state to have allowed micro-brew pubs.

Micro-breweries originated in Germany and have gained popularity globally in the past four decades including in the United States, Belgium, Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom, where the term microbrewery was first coined in the 1970s.

PTI