NORTH India just got a new beer to guzzle on Tuesday ­ the American

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Budweiser, priced at Rs 30 a pint.

The world's largest beer brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev has already introduced the beer in the southern part of the country including in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka ­ after InBev bought out USbased Anheuser-Busch (AB) in November 2008 in a $52 billion transaction.

Over 1.5 million cases of Budweiser were sold in 2008-09.

The American lager was only available as an import in hotels before its launch in south India.

Budweiser would compete with Copenhagen's Carlsberg and Tuborg beers, which retail for Rs 35 a pint. The price difference between these foreign-origin beers may benefit Budweiser.

"Pricing is a factor that may help Budweiser eat into other beers' market share that are priced in the same segment," says Sandeep Verma, director of Delhi-based Institute of Bar Operations and Management. He added the international acceptance of the beer will soon create a different segment altogether in the Indian market.

AB InBev India sells beers like Stella Artois, Beck's, Leffe and Hoegaarden, among others at the moment.

These beers are brewed in Hyderabad along with Budweiser, where the company has a brewery.

The company is expected to ramp up production of the beer, following its launch in north India on Wednesday.

Bars are also optimistic about Budweiser's acceptance among beer guzzlers.

"Foreigners coming into the bar will opt for Budweiser when they see it listed on the menu. The young crowd too, which opts for beers Carlsberg and Kingfisher will start settling for a Budweiser once its available," said Nikhil Davda, assistant manager for marketing at Galaxy Entertainment, a company that owns Gurgaon-based The Sports Bar. The bar would price a pint of Budweiser at Rs 129.