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IPL 2025: The frenzy of RCB’s win was so widespread that long queues formed outside liquor outlets across major cities in Karnataka by early Wednesday morning
1.48 lakh crates of beer were sold in 24 hours, earning Rs 30.66 crore. (Representational Image)
Royal Challengers Bangalore finally broke their title jinx in IPL 2025, and while the team lifted the trophy for the first time, one state lifted spirits in a way never seen before. What was meant to be a sporting victory on Tuesday exploded into a mass celebration of staggering proportions, with the real winner, it turns out, being the state’s excise department.
The moment RCB clinched the long-elusive IPL title, jubilant fans stormed the streets, lit fireworks, danced atop vehicles, and then did something unexpected – flocked en masse to liquor shops. This resulted in beer and booze sales shattering every record in state history.
According to official data, a mind-boggling 1.48 lakh crates of beer were sold within 24 hours, generating Rs 30.66 crore. Add to that 1.28 lakh crates of other liquor, and the total sales skyrocketed to Rs 157.94 crore, a single-day revenue windfall for the government. That’s Rs 132 crore more than the same day last year, when just Rs 6.29 crore worth of beer was sold.
The frenzy was so widespread that long queues formed outside liquor outlets across major cities by early morning. Viral videos showed fans popping beer bottles on flyovers and organising impromptu street parties, wearing RCB jerseys and waving flags as if it were Independence Day.
“This is not just RCB’s victory, it’s Karnataka’s Diwali,” joked one excise official, stunned by the revenue figures, adding “We’ve never seen anything like it. The entire supply chain was under pressure, but shops kept their shutters up well into the night.”
While the fanfare continued online – #RCBChamps and #LiquorStorm trending on social media – the state government quietly celebrated its own victory, a windfall collection of taxes without having spent a penny.
However, amid the celebrations, murmurs of concern have also begun to surface. Public health experts are questioning whether such large-scale liquor consumption is a healthy or sustainable mode of celebration.
“It’s great to see fans happy, but mass intoxication is not the ideal way to mark a win,” said a senior health official, requesting anonymity, adding that they are studying the social impact of this kind of alcohol surge.
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