Building the Non-Alcoholic Menu

Every table has a guest who is not drinking alcohol. That guest might be training, or might not want a drink tonight. For decades, venues offered that guest a soft drink, which earns about ₹40 and does little to win their goodwill.

A non-alcoholic menu solves this, and non-alcoholic craft beer is the most important part of it.

How the numbers work for a venue

Here is how the numbers work. At wholesale, a 500ml can of SOMA starts at ₹99 at the entry tier, and larger accounts pay less per can. In big cities, a restaurant can list non-alcoholic craft beer at ₹200 to ₹300, because it is a speciality product, not a soft drink. That gives you a margin close to a cocktail's from a can that your bartender opens in four seconds, and in Karnataka you do not need an excise licence to serve it.

How to list the beers on your menu

Start by listing all five SOMA beers the way you would list craft beers, with tasting notes. Offer the Lager to guests who want an easy drink, the IPA to hop lovers, the Belgian Wit at brunch, the Stout after dinner and the Caffeinated Stout to guests who would like a beer made with coffee. Put them under a heading that says "Non-alcoholic" rather than "Mocktails", because that word matters to guests who have chosen not to drink alcohol.

Simple drinks your bar team can make

Then let your bar team experiment. A SOMA shandy is the Lager with fresh lime and a pinch of salt. It takes five seconds to make, and it is a good afternoon drink. A beer-mosa, made with the IPA and fresh orange juice, suits Sunday brunch. A michelada-style drink with tomato, lime and chilli salt makes SOMA Lager stand out on the menu. Each of these uses half a can and can be priced like a cocktail.

Other practical advantages

There are practical advantages too. An unopened can is shelf-stable, so you do not need to worry about it spoiling. In Karnataka, there are also no restrictions on who can serve it or when. Venues in other states should check their own state's rules. The aluminium cans can be recycled again and again, which fits any sustainability story your venue already tells.

The market for non-alcoholic drinks

Global sales of non-alcoholic beer, wine and spirits reached nearly USD 20 billion in 2023, double the 2019 figure, according to IWSR figures that we list, with their source, on our numbers page. In India, this market is just starting, and the restaurants that list non-alcoholic craft beer early will become known for it.

If you run a venue in Bangalore, you can book a tasting with us. Bring your bar manager, and we will bring the beer, chilled. Venues with high volumes can also ask us about SOMA on tap. Production starts after December 2026, and nothing ships before then.