Mohan Meakin is India’s oldest alcohol company and has its roots in
the time when India was ruled by Britishers. Edward Dyer established
the Brewery at Kasauli in 1855. He was India’s brewing pioneer who
brought – the modern beer. He realized for the first time that there
were a few spots on earth where a really good drink was more welcome
and Kasuali was one of them.
During the same century, another enterprising man, named H.G.
Meakin, coming from a well-known brewing family of Burton-on-Trent
where he was trained, came forward with enviable enthusiasm and
founded Meakin & Co. Ltd. He bought the old Shimla and Kasauli
Breweries and built others at Dalhousie, Ranikhet, Chakrarta,
Darjeeling and Kirkee.
Both these firms E. Dyer & Co., and Meakin & Co. Ltd., continued
doing business separately up till after the second decade of the
20th century. During the first World War (1914-18), when it was a
big job to import beer, the two firms quenched the hugely increased
thirst of India with superb beer at a rock-bottom price. Vast
quantities of Malted Barley were sent to Egypt, to help keep
soldiers’ beer at a reasonable price.
Following these successes, the two firms joined hands and started a
new joint-stock venture under the style of Dyer Meakin & Co.Ltd.
Brewing was suspended at the Kasauli Brewery and a latest brewing
and bottling plant was installed at conveniently placed Solan.
Extensive malting at Kasauli was, however, continued in operation.
There are few places on earth where the water is ideally suited to
brewing. Solan is one.
In 1935 when Burma was dismembered from India the name of the
Company with Indian assets and liabilities was changed to Dyer
Meakin Breweries Ltd., from Dyer Meakin & Co. Ltd., and the assets
and liabilities of Burma Brewery in Burma were separated. Thereafter
the Company’s name was changed from Dyer Meakin Breweries Ltd. to
Mohan Meakin Breweries Ltd., w.e.f. 1.11.1966 and from 24.4.1980 the
name was further changed to Mohan Meakin Ltd., and as such the
Company is now known as Mohan Meakin Limited.
Today’s Mohan Meakin 80% sales comes from Old Monk, the favourite
rum of Indians and the world's 3rd largest selling rum . Apart from
this it also sells beer by the name Lion, Golden Eagle and Black
Night Brands which accounts for 8% share in the beer segment.