Archive · 8 Jan 2026
UBL Launches Kingfisher Smooth for Pan-India Rollout
United Breweries Limited (UBL), which is part of the big company HEINEKEN, has launched a new beer called Kingfisher Smooth.
This new beer is part of the Kingfisher family and is designed to be strong but easier to drink, with less bitterness.
UBL started selling it in Rajasthan, which is a big market for strong beer in India.
The company's boss, Vivek Gupta, thinks this new beer will help more people start drinking beer and will make the Kingfisher brand even bigger.
They plan to sell it all over India in the next 12 to 18 months.
UBL already has many other beer brands, like Kingfisher Strong, Kingfisher Premium, and Heineken.
They believe this new product will help grow the beer market in India, especially among younger people.
United Breweries Limited (UBL) has launched Kingfisher Smooth, a new beer in the mainstream strong beer segment.
The product was initially rolled out in Rajasthan and is planned for a pan-India launch within 12–18 months.
UBL CEO Vivek Gupta aims to expand the beer category in India, targeting younger consumers and increasing beer's share of drinking occasions.
Kingfisher Smooth is designed to be a strong yet sessionable beer with lower bitterness, responding to consumer feedback.
The launch is expected to boost both the Kingfisher brand and the overall beer category in India.
- Who
- United Breweries Limited (UBL), part of HEINEKEN
- What
- Launched Kingfisher Smooth, a new beer in the mainstream strong beer segment
- When
- January 7, 2026
- Where
- Initially in Rajasthan, with plans for a pan-India rollout
- Why
- To expand the beer category in India and cater to consumer demand for a strong yet sessionable beer with lower bitterness
- Company
- United Breweries Limited (UBL)
- Parent Company
- HEINEKEN
- New Product
- Kingfisher Smooth
- Initial Launch Location
- Rajasthan
- Rollout Timeline
- 12–18 months
- CEO
- Vivek Gupta
- Target Segment
- Mainstream strong beer