Where is the most beer consumed in Europe?

Europe is known for its rich beer culture and wide variety of beers. But which countries are among the top beer drinking countries in Europe? In this article, we will take a closer look at beer consumption in Europe and investigate where in Europe the most beer is consumed.

Drinking beer is an important part of European culture and has a long history. Many countries have their own beer styles and traditions that are part of their national identity.

But which countries have the highest beer consumption in Europe? What factors influence beer consumption in different European countries? And what are the differences in beer culture between different European countries?

Key Points

• Europe has a rich beer culture and a wide variety of beers.
• We are going to investigate where in Europe the most beer is consumed.
• We will analyze beer consumption in different European countries and identify the top beer drinking countries.
• Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands are discussed as important players in European beer culture.
• We will explore the beer market in Europe and examine the role of beer in European culture.

Beer consumption per country in Europe

Europe has a rich beer culture and there are many countries where beer is an important part of the local culture. To get an idea of ​​where in Europe the most beer is drunk, we will compare beer consumption per country.

We have collected statistics from different European countries to get a clear picture of beer consumption in the region. Below is a table with data on the top 10 countries with the highest beer consumption per capita.

Country	Beer consumption per capita (liter)
Czech Republic	143.3
Germany	104.7
Austria	104.7
Romania	100.2
Poland	98.1
Ireland	97.5
Belgium	93.4
Croatia	82.5
Estonia	78.4
Spain	74.2

These data show that the Czech Republic is the country with the most beer consumption, with an impressive 143.3 liters per capita. The country with the second highest beer consumption is Germany, with 104.7 liters per capita.

In addition to this top 10, there are many other European countries where beer is a popular drink. It is interesting to see how beer consumption can differ per country, and how beer culture has changed in some parts of Europe over the past decades.

Beer statistics Europe

In addition to beer consumption per country, we also looked at general statistics on beer in Europe. According to data from The Brewers of Europe, total beer consumption in Europe was 39 billion liters in 2019.

Beer is also an important economic factor in Europe. The beer industry employs more than 2.3 million people and accounts for about 2% of Europe's GDP.

The data shows that beer plays an important role in European culture and economy. It will be interesting to see how beer consumption and culture will develop in the future and whether there will be any changes in the top beer drinking countries in Europe.

The beer market in Europe

Beer is an important part of European culture, with a long history of brewing and consumption. The beer market in Europe is one of the largest in the world, with diverse beer styles and flavours produced and consumed across the continent.

There are many different breweries and brands in Europe, from large multinational companies to small craft producers. Most European countries have a rich beer culture and high beer consumption, especially in Central and Eastern Europe.

The European Union has also put in place legislation to ensure the quality and safety of beer. Beer must meet certain production standards and labelling requirements in order to be sold on the European market.

According to 2020 statistics, Germany is the largest beer-producing country in Europe, followed by the United Kingdom and Poland. In terms of beer consumption per capita, the Czech Republic ranks first, followed by Austria and Germany. The Netherlands ranks fifth in Europe in terms of beer consumption per capita.

Belgium: The country of beer lovers

In Belgium, beer is an important part of the national culture and identity. It is therefore not surprising that the country is known worldwide for its beer tradition and great variety of beers. But how much beer is actually drunk in Belgium?

According to recent statistics, Belgium is one of the countries with the highest beer consumption per capita in the world. In 2019, the average Belgian adult drank 72 liters of beer, which is about 200 ml per day. This is more than in many other European countries, including the Netherlands.

"Belgium is one of the countries with the highest beer consumption per capita in the world."

Belgian beer culture is unique and diverse, with over 1,500 different beers produced in the country. These beers range from the well-known styles such as pilsner and white beer, to the more specialized and regional beers such as Geuze and Trappist. Many Belgian beers have a long history and are linked to specific regions and breweries.

Beer style	Belgian example
Blonde beer	Leffe Blond
White beer	Howgarden
Trappist	Westvleteren 12
Gueuze	Boon Geuze Wedding Parfait

In addition to drinking beer, Belgium also has a rich tradition of brewing and tasting beer. There are numerous breweries and craft beer producers that make Belgium a major player in the European beer industry. For example, Belgium has the largest beer producer in the world, AB InBev, which produces well-known brands such as Stella Artois and Jupiler.

In short, Belgian beer culture is an important part of the national heritage and one of the most important characteristics of the country. Due to its rich history, diversity of beers and prominent role in the national culture, Belgium remains an important player in the global beer industry.

Czech Republic: The Beer Paradise in Europe

The Czech Republic has a rich history of brewing beer and is often considered the beer paradise in Europe. It is therefore not surprising that the country has one of the highest beer consumption per capita. In 2020, the average Czech drank almost 142 liters of beer, which is more than double the European average.

The ten largest beer brewers in the Czech Republic

Rank	Brewery	Volume (in HL)
1	Plzensky District	9.5 million
2	Staropramen	3.7 million
3	Heineken	3.5 million
4	Budějovický Budvar	1.5 million
5	Královský Pivovar Krušovice	1.2 million
6	Radegast	1 million
7	Pivovary Lobkowicz Group	0.7 million
8	Small Pivovary	0.5 million
9	Bernard	0.4 million
10	Pivovar Svijany	0.4 million

The largest brewery in the Czech Republic is Plzeňský Prazdroj, known for the Pilsner Urquell brand. Other well-known brands are Staropramen and Budějovický Budvar, which have existed since the 18th century.

In addition to the large breweries, the Czech Republic also has many small, craft breweries. These often focus on special beers and experimental flavors. Czech beer is brewed according to strict rules and traditions, which makes the beer of high quality and makes the Czech beer culture so unique.

Czech beer culture plays an important role in the daily lives of its people. In the many pubs and beer houses throughout the country, beer is served in pints of half a liter or more. There is even a special toast that is made before drinking: "Na zdraví!" (To your health!).

In short, the Czech Republic is a true beer paradise and a must-visit destination for beer lovers all over the world. With its rich history, traditions and high beer consumption, the country is one of the most interesting and unique beer destinations in Europe.

Germany: Oktoberfest and Beer Traditions

Germany has a rich history of brewing beer and is known worldwide for its Oktoberfest and beer traditions. The country has one of the highest per capita beer consumptions in the world, with over 100 liters of beer consumed per person per year.

German beer culture is very diverse and is characterized by different beer styles and regions. Beer is an important part of German culture and is often associated with conviviality and social events.

Some of the most popular beer styles in Germany are pilsner, weizenbier and altbier. These beers are often brewed locally and have their own unique taste and character.

Beer consumption in Germany

Year	Beer consumption (million hectoliters)
2015	95.5
2016	94.5
2017	93.5
2018	94.5
2019	90.3

Beer consumption in Germany has declined in recent years, but the country still remains one of the largest beer producers in the world. In 2019, total beer consumption in Germany amounted to 90.3 million hectoliters.

The German beer industry accounts for about 1% of the country's gross domestic product and employs tens of thousands of people.

German Beer Festivals

The most famous beer festival in Germany is the Oktoberfest, which takes place annually in Munich. This festival attracts millions of visitors from all over the world and offers a range of different beer styles and traditional food.

Other popular beer festivals in Germany include the Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest, the Cannstatter Volksfest and the Düsseldorfer Oktoberfest.

In short, German beer culture is rich and diverse, with a long history and a great influence on the European beer industry. With its many beer types and traditions, Germany remains an important player in the global beer market. Cheers!

Ireland: Guinness and Pub Culture

Ireland is a country with a rich beer culture and a strong pub culture. The country is known for its world-famous beer brand Guinness, which is served in almost every pub in Ireland. Guinness is a very dark beer with a rich taste and a creamy texture, making it a favorite of beer lovers all over the world.

In Ireland, not only Guinness is widely consumed, but other types of beer are also popular. For example, there are ales and lagers, which are often produced in small local breweries. The growing number of microbreweries in Ireland shows that the beer culture in this country is growing and evolving.

Beer type	Popularity
Guinness	Very good
Ales and lagers	Good

Pub culture in Ireland is an important part of Irish society and a tourist attraction for visitors from all over the world. Pubs are where locals gather to chat, drink and enjoy traditional music and dance.

Almost every village in Ireland has at least one pub and in the larger cities there are pubs on almost every street corner. The atmosphere in the pubs is warm and inviting and it is easy to make new friends while enjoying a good pint of beer.

All in all, it can be said that Ireland is a country where beer and pubs play an important role in the culture. Beer consumption in Ireland is high, with Guinness being the most consumed beer. Whether you are a local or a traveler looking for an authentic Irish experience, a visit to an Irish pub is a must.

Netherlands: A beer nation in Europe

The Netherlands has a rich beer culture with over 500 breweries and a wide range of beer styles. It is therefore not surprising that the Netherlands has one of the highest beer consumption per capita in Europe. According to data from the European Commission, beer consumption in the Netherlands is 75 liters per person per year.

Dutch beer culture is strongly linked to the country’s history. Beer was brewed as early as the Middle Ages, and the beer industry flourished in the 17th century. Today, many Dutch cities have their own local breweries and host various annual beer festivals and events, such as the Amsterdam Bokbier Festival and the Dutch Beer Tasting Festival.

One of the most iconic beers from the Netherlands is Heineken. The brand is known worldwide and has its roots deep in the Dutch beer culture. Other popular Dutch beers are Grolsch, Amstel and Hertog Jan.

In addition to drinking beer, beer is also often used in Dutch cuisine. For example, it is used in making stews and sauces, such as in the dish "Zuurvlees" from Limburg, which is prepared with beef and dark beer.

Dutch beer culture is an important part of the national identity and is often associated with conviviality and relaxation. It is therefore not surprising that beer plays a prominent role in Dutch society and culture.

Other countries with high beer consumption in Europe

In addition to the countries mentioned earlier, there are also other European countries where a lot of beer is drunk. Below is an overview of some of these countries and their position in the top beer drinking countries of Europe.

Country	Beer consumption per person (liter/year)	Position in the top beer drinking countries of Europe
Poland	99.5	5
Austria	107.8	3
Romania	100.3	4
Spain	62.3	10
Italy	29.1	18

The top 3 countries with the highest beer consumption in Europe are the Czech Republic, Germany and Ireland, followed by Belgium and Poland. Although these countries represent a large part of European beer consumption, it is important to consider the entire European beer industry.

The European beer industry is an important and growing sector, with an annual turnover of more than 50 billion euros. In addition to the traditional beer countries in Europe, beer consumption is also increasing in emerging markets such as Eastern Europe and Asia. This creates new opportunities and challenges for the European beer industry.

Conclusion

Now that we have examined beer consumption in different European countries, we can conclude that the Czech Republic is the country where the most beer is drunk. With an annual beer consumption of more than 143 liters per person, the Czech Republic tops the list.

Belgium follows closely behind, ranking second with an annual beer consumption of over 100 litres per person. Germany and Ireland rank third and fourth respectively, with annual beer consumption of over 90 litres per person.

It is interesting to note that the countries that rank high on the beer consumption list also have a rich beer culture and are known for their beer traditions and styles. These countries all have their own unique characteristics when it comes to brewing beer and drinking it.

Trends and influences on European beer culture

European beer culture has been present for centuries and has been continuously developing. Today, we see a growing interest in craft beers and more and more small breweries popping up all over Europe. This trend is influencing the way people drink beer and how beer is produced.

Another trend we are seeing is a growing interest in healthier options in the beer industry. For example, beers are being brewed with less alcohol and fewer calories to meet the demand of people who are pursuing a healthy lifestyle.

Finally, European beer culture has had significant cultural influences on other parts of the world. European beers are now exported all over the world and are appreciated for their taste and quality.

In short, beer consumption in Europe is high and the beer culture is rich and varied. In addition to the traditional beers that have been brewed for centuries, we also see new trends and developments in the beer industry. How the European beer culture will develop in the future is something we will keep a close eye on.