It looks like more and more Indian consumers want cool experiences, and the latest news from the D2C world shows it. 33&Brew, a brewery that mixes craft beer with old-school music, just scored ₹20 crore ($2.2 million) in funding led by Optimistic Capital. This is big not just for 33&Brew, but for the whole craft beer scene in India, where people want experiences and cool brands.
Optimistic Capital just said they’ve got a ₹200 crore fund just for Indian breweries, That’s rare! They already spent ₹30 crore and plan to invest the other ₹170 crore in the next 3 years. They’re not just putting money into brands, they’re also backing the stuff that breweries need, like bottling and supply chains.
33&Brew will use the cash to build more stuff, grow bigger, and get ready to expand from its current home in Bengaluru. Even though breweries usually focus on their physical locations, brands like 33&Brew are starting to think like D2C companies, where telling a good story, building a community, and getting people to come back are as important as just selling beer.
Karthik Chandrasekaran kicked off 33&Brew in 2024, making it all about vinyl records. He teamed up with chef Sabyasachi Gorai to create a place that combines good beer, music, and tasty Indian-inspired food. It’s all part of the trend of brands that are about culture and experiences.
At 33&Brew, you can pick out vinyl records to play while you drink beer and eat tasty food. That personal touch is meant to get people hooked, which is key in the D2C world, where folks want brands that offer a community.
Bengaluru is a tough market for breweries, so 33&Brew is trying to stand out by mixing music with beer. They want to be a destination rather than just a place that sells a lot of drinks.
Optimistic Capital is stoked to be backing a brewery that can grow and build a brand. They also plan to invest in two more breweries in Bengaluru.
As it gets harder for regular startups to get funding, money is flowing to brands that make sense financially and have a cultural connection. Now that 33&Brew has its funding, it’s ready to take things to the next level.
