Cobra Beer
Encyclopedia
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, who thought that Britain needed a smoother, less gassy lager, which would appeal to both ale drinkers and lager drinkers alike. A blend of barley, rice, maize and hops was used to produce the required characteristics.
In June 2011 Molson Coors bought a controlling interest in Cobra.
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.
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. The first shipment of Cobra was imported in the UK in 1990, at the start of a recession.
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. The brewery now make use of this recipe to produce Mongoose
beer, which is sold with a picture of a Mongoose eating a dead cobra on its label.
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%.
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% . 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.
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.
The ingredients of cobra beer are water, barley, rice, maize, hops, E150c, modified hops products.
in 2010.
In June 2011 Molson Coors bought a controlling interest in Cobra.
The beer was originally brewed in Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
(now Bengaluru), for export
Export
The term export is derived from the conceptual meaning as to ship the goods and services out of the port of a country. The seller of such goods and services is referred to as an "exporter" who is based in the country of export whereas the overseas based buyer is referred to as an "importer"...
to the United Kingdom; the company now has contract brewing operations in the UK, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
and India.
History
Cobra Beer was founded in 1989 by Karan Bilimoria, then aged 27 and £20,000 in debt. A CambridgeCambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
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. The first shipment of Cobra was imported in the UK in 1990, at the start of a recession.
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
Wells & Young's Brewery
Wells & Young's Brewery was formed in October 2006 from the merger of the brewing operations of Charles Wells Ltd and Young's Brewery. Charles Wells have a 60% stake and Young's 40%. Wells & Young's is now responsible for brewing, distributing and marketing Charles Wells' and Young & Co's brands...
(now Wells & Young's) in the UK. The brewery now make use of this recipe to produce Mongoose
Mongoose
Mongoose are a family of 33 living species of small carnivorans from southern Eurasia and mainland Africa. Four additional species from Madagascar in the subfamily Galidiinae, which were previously classified in this family, are also referred to as "mongooses" or "mongoose-like"...
beer, which is sold with a picture of a Mongoose eating a dead cobra on its label.
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%.
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% . 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.
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.
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’. It has been awarded a Gold Medal by Monde SelectionMonde Selection
Monde Selection, created in 1961, is an international and independent quality institute located in Brussels, that tastes and tests consumer products in order to grant them a renowned Quality Label...
in 2010.