In this article, we are going to discuss the 5 best beer countries heading into 2024. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the global beer market, the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the global beer sector, and sustainability in the beer industry, head to 20 Best Beer Countries Heading Into 2024.
5. Czech Republic
Insider Monkey Score: 16
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.
4. United Kingdom
Insider Monkey Score: 21
After Scotch whisky and chocolate, beer is the largest food and drink export from the U.K. However, the U.K.’s brewing industry is ‘in real crisis’ due to soaring costs and consumers having less disposable income, an MP has warned. About 80 breweries in the country called time in 2022, and it is feared that more than triple the number could be gone this year.
3. United States of America
Insider Monkey Score: 23
Small and independent American craft brewers are recognized as leaders in innovation and quality in what has become a global craft beer revolution. America’s beer sector has been flourishing for a few decades now and there were 9,709 breweries operating in the country in 2022 – the highest figures ever in history.
San Diego, with its rich and historic beer culture, is one of the Best Beer Cities in the World. With over 150 breweries, countless beer bars, and innovative tasting rooms, the craft beer experience is massive in this region. The city even has a signature craft style – The West Coast-Style IPA, known for its massive flavor and ridiculous amount of hops packed into one pint.
The United States is the second-largest beer market in the world, after China.
2. Germany
Insider Monkey Score: 35
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.
1. Belgium
Insider Monkey Score: 36
Making and appreciating beer is part of the living heritage of a range of communities throughout Belgium – considered to be the number one Trappist country, home to six of only twelve monasteries in the world which produce Trappist beers. The legacy of Belgian beer culture was also recognized by UNESCO as part of the intangible heritage of humanity in 2016. Whether it’s a pale ale, a dubbel, a fruit beer or a golden ale, Belgian beers always taste unique.
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