- Cobra Beer
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Cobra Beer 
Type Beer company Industry Brewing Founded 1989 Founder(s) Karan Bilimoria Headquarters Fulham, South London, UK Area served UK
IndiaKey people Mark Hunter, CEO of Molson Coors Products Cobra 5% Premium Beer
Cobra 0.0%
Cobra Lower Cal
King Cobra
Cobra BiteNet income Unknown Website www.cobrabeer.com Cobra Beer's main product is an extra-smooth premium beer with an alcohol strength of 5% volume. The beer was founded in 1989 by Karan Bilimoria,[1] who thought that Britain needed a smoother, less gassy lager, which would appeal to both ale drinkers and lager drinkers alike.[1] A blend of barley, rice, maize and hops was used to produce the required characteristics.[1]
In June 2011 Molson Coors bought a controlling interest in Cobra.[2]
The beer was originally brewed in Bangalore, India (now Bengaluru), for export to the United Kingdom; the company now has contract brewing operations in the UK, Belgium and India.
Contents
History
Cobra Beer was founded in 1989 by Karan Bilimoria,[1] then aged 27 and £20,000 in debt.[1] A Cambridge law graduate and qualified Chartered Accountant, Bilimoria launched Cobra Beer when it became clear to him that Britain needed a smoother, less gassy lager that appealed to both ale drinkers and lager drinkers alike, and that complemented all types of cuisines. Karan's mission from day one has been to brew the finest ever Indian beer and to make it a global beer brand. Using the finest natural ingredients - a unique blend of barley malt and yeast, with maize, hops, and rice, the bottled beer is extra smooth and less gassy whilst retaining a premium strength of 5%. With no prior knowledge of the marketplace Karan Bilimoria had entered the most competitive beer market in the world opposite long-established, giant brands and at a very difficult time - the first shipment of Cobra was imported in the UK in 1990, at the start of a recession.[1]
The beer was originally planned to be named 'Panther', but this name was not popular when researched with customers prior to launch and was changed to 'Cobra' at the eleventh hour. By way of introduction by Arjun's uncle Keshow Reddy, the two founders were introduced to Mysore Breweries in India, who were the original brewers of Cobra beer.
Cobra was first brewed in Bangalore (now Bengaluru) in 1990 and imported to the UK for seven years. In 1997 Cobra commenced brewing under licence with Charles Wells (now Wells & Young's) in the UK.
In 2005, Cobra Beer was stocked in over 6,000 restaurants and in most major supermarkets and off licence chains in the UK. Cobra Beer has also increased its presence mainstream retail outlets and is available in nearly 6,000 pubs, style bars and clubs. Now one of the fastest growing beer brands in the UK, having been exported to more than 45 countries worldwide, and with subsidiaries in India, South Africa and the US.
Business losses accelerated in 2007 with total losses for the trading year to August 2007 reaching £13.6m on an annual turnover of around £45m. The business is approximately £26 million in debt and has borrowings from venture capitalists attracting interest at daily compound rate of 15%.[3]
Cobra has though continued to accelerate its sales growth in recent years. Most recently, Cobra's half year sales figures for the period from 1 August 2008 - 31 January 2009 showed growth in volume terms of 21% .[4] And this was achieved against the backdrop of the UK beer market which declined by around 8% in the last quarter of 2008.
It is this strategy of growing sales, instead of concentrating on the "bottom line" which may have caused the company's financial problems. On Friday 29 May 2009 the company went into administration, owing an estimated £75 million to suppliers.[5]
In June 2011 it was reported that Molson Coors had purchased a 51% stake in Cobra India, which will be named as Molson Coors Cobra India. The remaining 49% of the venture will be controlled by Cobra founder Bilimoria.[2]
Products
Currently, Cobra produces three varieties of beer:
- Cobra 5.0% Premium
- Cobra Zero %
- King Cobra
Cobra 5.0% Premium
A blend of barley malt and yeast with maize, hops and rice with 5% abv. It comes in three sizes; 660 ml and 330 ml bottles, as well as 500ml cans and on draught.
The ingredients of cobra beer are water, barley, rice, maize, hops, E150c, modified hops products.
Cobra Zero%
Cobra Zero% is an alcohol-free beer, with 6.5 grams of carbohydrates and 79 calories per 330ml bottle. It is full-flavoured and well-rounded with a hint of sweetness. It is known as ‘the Cobra for when you can’t have a Cobra’.
King Cobra
The world’s first double fermented lager with 8% abv, King Cobra is presented in a Champagne-style bottle and available in 750 ml and 375 ml sizes.
References
- ^ a b c d e f "COBRA - Indian Lager Beer". TheDrinkShop.com. 2010-03-02. http://www.thedrinkshop.com/products/nlpdetail.php?prodid=3680&afwinid=90909. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
- ^ a b "Molson Coors buys 51% stake in Cobra". The Times of India. 24 June 2011. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-24/india-business/29698944_1_cobra-beer-katyal-family-stake. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
- ^ Source: Annual Report and Accounts posted with Companies House in May 2008
- ^ source: ACNielsen 2009
- ^ Goodman, Matthew (2009-05-31). "Cobra beer saved from administration at last gasp". The Times (London). http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article6395535.ece. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
Further reading
- Bilimoria, Karan (2007). Bottled for business : the less gassy guide to entrepreneurship. Capstone Publ. Ltd. (a Wiley Company). ISBN 978-1-84112-726-2.
External links
Categories:- Companies established in 1989
- Beer and breweries in England
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