In this article, we are going to discuss the 10 countries with the most beer consumption in 2024. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the global beer market, the local production of imported beer brands, and sustainability in the beer industry, head to 25 Countries with the Most Beer Consumption in 2024.
10. Croatia
Annual Beer Consumption per Capita: 82.4 liters
From light lagers to hoppy IPAs and rich stouts, Croatian beers cater to every taste preference. The two most popular Croatian beers are Ožujsko and Karlovačko.
Ožujsko is the flagship brand produced by Zagrebačka pivovara – the biggest brewery in the country – which is a part of the Molson Coors Beverage Company since 2013.
9. Namibia
Annual Beer Consumption per Capita: 85.7 liters
Namibia is famous for a number of things – its fantastic scenery, incredible wildlife, and award-winning beer. Heineken N.V. completed the acquisition of Distill and Namibia Breweries last year, in a deal that combines them to create a new business arm called Heineken Beverages.
8. Spain
Annual Beer Consumption per Capita: 88.5 liters
Spain ranks second in the European Union in terms of beer production, with 41.1 million hectoliters. There are three main companies that account for most of the brewing in the country – Heineken N.V., Mahou San-Miguel, and Damm.
Spanish beer has been steadily growing in international markets. In fact, it recorded exports of 3.63 million hectoliters in 2021 – a new record.
7. Germany
Annual Beer Consumption per Capita: 90.4 liters
Germany’s love affair with beer has existed for more than 1,000 years, spawning many types of brews and flavors. Beer is so integral to German culture that the country even came up with its own purity law as far back as 500 years ago.
Although the number of breweries has shrunk over the past 50 years from over 3,000 to around 1,600, most German towns and cities still pride themselves on their local brew.
Germany is included among the Top 10 Countries that Drink the Most Beer.
6. Estonia
Annual Beer Consumption per Capita: 91.4 liters
The Estonian beer market is one of the few in Europe to be showing healthy annual growth, and per capita beer consumption in the Baltic country increased by about 7% in 2022, as compared to the previous year.
5. Poland
Annual Beer Consumption per Capita: 94.1 liters
Poland is well-known for its beer culture and many varieties. The country’s large breweries are all owned by multinational companies, however, Poland’s craft beer scene has seen great evolution over the last decade.
Polish beers are not difficult to find in America, especially in this day and age of online shopping. Brands such as Żywiec, Lech, Dębowe etc. can be easily bought in online shops, or found in local Polish stores.
4. Romania
Annual Beer Consumption per Capita: 95.6 liters
Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Romania and the country is home to several local breweries and craft beers. Ursus Breweries – the largest local producer in Romania – was acquired by the Japanese Asahi group in 2016, when it purchased the Eastern Europe portfolio of SABMiller in a transaction worth around $7.8 billion.
Romania is ranked among the Countries that Drink the Most Beer in Europe.
3. Lithuania
Annual Beer Consumption per Capita: 96.3 liters
Lithuanians mostly prefer to drink beer, which makes 44% of the total consumed alcohol in the country, while wine accounts for 15%. Local beers in Lithuania have started to attract international attention after beer bloggers discovered the country, inspiring a major feature article in Beer Connoisseur magazine, which then prompted the New York Times to list the Baltic nation as one of the 42 top places to visit on the strength of its village beers.
2. Austria
Annual Beer Consumption per Capita: 98.7 liters
You have to work really hard to find a bad beer in a typical Austrian store or bar. Over 300 breweries in the country produce more than 1,000 beers in total. The biggest brands in Vienna include Ottakringer, Stiegl, Zipfer and Gösser, but you can find plenty of small and private breweries and specialty beers as well, none of which should disappoint the discerning beer palate.
1. Czech Republic
Annual Beer Consumption per Capita: 184.1 liters
Beer is more than just a drink in the Czech Republic, it is a part of their history, culture, and national identity. Beer is literally cheaper than water in the Central European country and a half liter of the beverage costs just over $1 in most places.
Pilsner Urquell is a popular name in the birthplace of the pilsner beer. Brewed exclusively in the city of Plzeň, Pilsner Urquell is the most imported Czech beer brand in the world and 11 million hectolitres of the beer are produced every year. The brand is owned by the Japanese Asahi Group Holdings.
The Czech Republic is the Biggest Consumer of Beer per Person in the world.
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