Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble: Germany’s beer consumption continues to drop

The trend is continuing: figures from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) have found that beer sales keep falling in the federal republic.

Beer sales in Germany dropped in 2023

Something is not right in the land of beer. The taste buds might be changing, our pockets are not as deep as they once were, and people in Germany are drinking fewer brews.

According to the latest figures from Destatis, year-on-year beer sales fell by 4,5 percent in 2023. Breweries in the federal republic still sold no fewer than 8,4 billion litres of the stuff, but sales continued a downward trend which has been going on for a while now.

Dropping beer sales are a long-term trend

In comparison to 2013, the figures are even starker. Since then, beer sales have fallen by 11,5 percent, and in comparison to 1993, by 25,3 percent!

In the background, drinkers in Germany are developing a taste for non-alcoholic beers, which have snapped up the opportunity of people’s more conscious attitudes to drinking. 

Following the recent figures from Destatis, the German Brewers' Association said it had been a “dark year for the German brewing industry”. But there is one glimmer of hope coming with 2024, beer companies are anticipating that Germany’s role as host for the 2024 UEFA European Championships should give a boost to Germany’s 1.500 breweries.

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