According to IRI’s Beverage Alcohol Defies CPG Trends 2022 research, 16% of alcohol customers prefer to drink exclusively beer. According to Wine Opinions, 51% of beer consumers consume the beverage once or more each week, with the majority of them being men.
Global beer consumption in 2021 is expected to be around 185.6 million kiloliters, up 4% from 2020. According to the Beer Market Outlook 2022-2026 research, global beer consumption is expected to reach 166.6 million metric tons by 2026, representing a 0.6% annual reduction. China, the United States of America, and Brazil are the top three beer-drinking countries in the world as of 2021, with ranks that have not changed from the previous year.
According to SkyQuest, the worldwide beer market will be worth $768.17 billion in 2021 and $989.29 billion by 2028, rising at a CAGR of 3.68%. Meanwhile, Future Market Insights believes that the market would be worth $996 billion by 2033.
Recent Global Beer Market Trends
Nonalcoholic beers and beers with minimal alcohol concentration are two of the fastest growing and most popular beer subsegments. According to Fact.MR’s study titled Non-alcoholic Beer Market, the worldwide non-alcoholic beer market is valued $20 billion in 2023 and is predicted to reach $40 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 7.2% during the same period.
One of the primary reasons for the popularity of low-alcohol content beers and non-alcoholic beers is the growing trend among consumers to adopt healthy lifestyle modifications. The tendency has been going on for a time, but COVID-19 accelerated it significantly. According to Nielsen IQ, the volume of non-alcoholic beer increased by 19.5% and accounted for 85.3% of sales from August 2021 to August 2022, followed by non-alcoholic wine, which accounted for 13.4% of sales and had a market value of $328.6 million.
Beer sales and consumption are increasing globally as a result of e-commerce. According to IWSR, the beer market has the potential to quickly boost online sales in the next years across all of the world’s major beer markets. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) and Heineken N.V. (HEIA.AS) are two of the leading beer firms benefiting from online beer sales. The latter said that their app was responsible for doubling sales (e-commerce) in the third quarter of 2022.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD), Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO), and Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) are the main beer businesses in the worldwide beer market that investors should look into, according to our analysis. Additionally, you can also read about- Countries With Highest Soda Consumption in the World [Top 20 List]
The World’s Top 15 Beer-Drinking Countries
1. China
Total Consumption: 38,093 thousand kiloliters
For the past 19 years, China has ranked #1 among the top 15 beer-drinking countries in the world. The country’s consumption climbed by 5.6% between 2020 and now commands a gigantic worldwide market share of 20.5%.
The largest beer market share in the country is held by CR Snow, which is owned by China Resources Beer (Holdings) Company Limited (0291.HK), Tsingtao Brewery Company Limited (OTC:TSGTY), and Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD).
2. United States of America
Total Consumption: 24,170 thousand kiloliters
The United States of America will consume 24,170 thousand kiloliters of beer in 2021, accounting for 13% of the global market. The country is home to some of the world’s most successful beer firms, including Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP), Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ), and The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE:SAM).
Beer is believed to be the most popular alcoholic beverage among Americans, accounting for one of the top five most drank beverages in the country. Among the current beer trends observed, an unexpected development (when contrasted to the rest of the globe) is the introduction of beers with high alcohol content into the country. Beer consumption is expected to fall by 0.6% by 2026 when compared to 2021.
3. Brazil
Total Consumption: 14,540 thousand kiloliters
Brazil, which ranks third on our list, consumes substantially more beer than Russia, with 14,540 thousand kiloliters and 67.9 liters per capita in 2021. Brazil, one of the largest countries in South America, accounts for 7.8% of the worldwide market share, with consumption increasing by 9.5% over 2019. Beer consumption is expected to fall significantly by 0.3% per year by 2026.
The off-premise segment thrived in the country in 2020, but as COVID-related limitations were relaxed, the resurgence of the on-premise segment resulted in an increase in beer consumption across the country.
4. Russia
Total Consumption: 8,937 thousand kiloliters
Russia’s beer consumption climbed by 7.6% compared to pre-COVID levels in 2019, making it one of the top 15 beer-drinking countries in the world. Beer consumption reached 8,937 thousand kiloliters in 2021, up from 8,646 thousand kiloliters in 2020.
One of the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the Russian beer industry was the closure of a few foreign alcohol brands, giving way to local breweries such as Dreamteam Brew. Russian beer is most popular among locals, accounting for around 99% of total consumption.
5. Mexico
Total Consumption: 8,660 thousand kiloliters
The pandemic caused individuals to stay indoors, often voluntarily, which led to a spike in beer consumption in Mexico in 2021. In fact, it was the most popular alcoholic beverage in the country since it was thought to be more appropriate to drink at home than other alcoholic beverages. Another observed consumption pattern was that a considerable majority of beer drinkers switched from mid-priced beers to premium beers in order to gain new experiences.
In 2021, per capita beer consumption was 66.5 liters, with a 4.7% increase in consumption. In the same year, Grupo Modelo, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD), was the most popular beer brand in the country.
6. Germany
Total Consumption in 2021: 7,584 thousand kiloliters
Germany has over double the global market share of the United Kingdom, which has 4.1%. Despite a 2.1% reduction in beer consumption in 2021, the country managed to consume a total of 7,584 thousand kiloliters.
Germans have recently gravitated toward artisan and speciality beers. The tendency began prior to pandemic-related health concerns. Germans have been drinking less beer as a result of tougher alcohol legislation and the negative health effects of beer. One out of every 15 beers sold in the country is non-alcoholic, according to estimates.
7. United Kingdom
Total Consumption in 2021: 4,608 thousand kiloliters
The United Kingdom’s 12.7% growth in beer consumption in 2021 was significantly responsible for the increase in Europe’s beer consumption. The independent nation ranks slightly below Germany on our list, with a total consumption of 4,608 thousand kiloliters and a per capita consumption of 67.6 liters.
Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) is one of the biggest beer firms in the United Kingdom, accounting for 2.5% of the global market. Guinness is the company’s most well-known beer brand, and it is the most popular beer in the United Kingdom.
Read Also: Countries With The Highest Coffee Consumption [Top 20 List]
8. Japan
Total Consumption in 2021: 4,188 thousand kiloliters
Japan is eighth among the top 15 beer-drinking countries in the world, yet it is one of eight countries that will see a fall in beer consumption in 2021. Consumption fell by 5.2%, marking the country’s first loss in consumption in 15 years. In 2021, the per capita consumption was 33.2 liters.
Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. (2502.T) is the country’s largest alcohol brewing corporation, and its two most well-known beer brands are Asahi Super Dry and Peroni Nastro Azzurro. Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (OTC:KNBWY), one of Japan’s largest and oldest beer firms, is also worth mentioning. It sells two of the country’s most popular beers, Kirin Lager and Ichiban Shibori.
9. Vietnam
Total Consumption in 2021: 4,159 thousand kiloliters
With total consumption of 4,159 thousand kiloliters in 2021, Vietnam accounted for 2.2% of the global market share. It has the greatest per capita beer consumption in the ASEAN area, however consumption is anticipated to drop at a CAGR of 4.61% by 2025. The country earned four gold medals at the Asia Beer Championship 2021 in 2021, demonstrating the country’s position in the Asian beer market.
Locals favor craft beers over big beers, according to a new growing beer consumption trend in the country, and there has been a rush of craft beer breweries launching since 2018. Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp, Heineken N.V. (HEIA.AS), Hanoi Beer Alcohol and Beverage Corp. (Habeco), and Sapporo Breweries Ltd. are the most well-known beer firms in Vietnam.
10. Spain
Total Consumption in 2021: 4,131 thousand kiloliters
According to the Spain Beer Market – Forecast (2023 – 2028) research, the demand for beer in Spain in 2021 was 3,619 million liters. Spain ranks 10th among the top 15 beer-drinking countries in the world, with a total of 4,131 thousand kiloliters drank in 2021, up from 3,786 thousand kiloliters in 2020, and a per capita beer consumption of 88.5 liters in 2021.
Beer consumption is anticipated to reach 3.4 million metric tons by 2026, according to a report titled Spain Beer Industry Outlook 2022 – 2026. According to research from 2021, the Spanish favoured non-alcohol beers such as Mahou 0, 0 Tostada or Warsteiner Premium Fresh, as well as low-alcohol beers such as Mahou Sin and Mahou Mixta. In Spain, the major beer firms are Mahou-San Miguel Group and Cruzcampo Brewery, both of which are owned by Heineken N.V. (HEIA.AS).
11. South Africa
Total Consumption in 2021: 3,910 thousand kiloliters
South Africa’s global market share is expected to be 2.1% in 2021, with the region growing at a rate of 19.1% between 2018 and 2019. With 3,910 thousand kiloliters of total consumption, the corporation surpassed Spain. However, consumption of the beverage is predicted to fall by 0.3% per year from 2021 to 2026, totaling 3.03 million metric tons by the end of 2026.
Distell Group Holdings Limited (OTC:DSTZF) is a South African brewery and one of the world’s largest beer firms. South African Breweries, Heineken N.V. (HEIA.AS), and others are also major leaders in the South African beer market.
12. Poland
Total Consumption in 2021: 3,557 thousand kiloliters
According to a report issued by Williams & Marshall Strategy, beer consumption in Poland is expected to grow at a CAGR of 0.96% each year by 2025. Beer consumption is expected to reach 3.7 million metric tons by 2026.
According to research, Poles choose non-alcoholic beers due to “lifestyle choice” and are expected to continue to do so due to the health trend following the epidemic. Furthermore, as compared to domestic lager, locals favor quality domestic and foreign lager.
Beer consumption fell somewhat between 2020 and 2021, from 3,681 thousand kiloliters to 3,557 thousand kiloliters. Beer consumption per capita in the country was 94.1 liters in 2021.
13. Colombia
Total Consumption in 2021: 2,331 thousand kiloliters
Colombia maintained its position in terms of total beer consumption, ranking 13th on our list of the top 15 beer-drinking countries in the world. However, from 2,246 thousand kiloliters in 2020 to 2,331 thousand kiloliters in 2021, its overall consumption grew. According to the report Alcoholic Drinks in 2021: The Big Picture, Bavaria Brewery, formerly known as Bavaria SA and owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD), was the country’s top firm due to its outstanding beer sales.
According to Market Research’s analysis titled ‘Colombia: Beer Market and the Impact of COVID-19 on It in the Medium Term,’ beer consumption per capita will grow at a CAGR of 6.77% between 2020 and 2025.
14. France
Total Consumption in 2021: 2,061 thousand kiloliters
The French Observatory for Drugs and Drug Addiction (OFDT) reports that the trend of wine consumption in France is shifting. According to the survey, wine consumption per capita has decreased from 20 liters to 5.74 liters over the last 60 years, while beer consumption has remained relatively consistent at 2.4 liters per capita.
Beer consumption in the country was 2,061 thousand kiloliters in 2021, up from 2,001 thousand kiloliters in 2020. The European country fell one spot in the rankings between 2020 and 2021, with a 3% growth rate from 2018 to 2019.
Beer consumption in France will rise from 1.82 million metric tons in 2021 to 1.85 million metric tons by 2026, according to the France Beer Industry Outlook 2022 – 2026. Pernod Ricard SA (OTC:PRNDY) is the largest beer-selling corporation in France, with 240 brands under its belt.
15. India
Total Consumption in 2021: 2,160 thousand kiloliters
India is gradually advancing up the beer consumption rankings; it was ranked 24th in 2020 and is now ranked 14th out of the top 15 beer-drinking countries in the globe. Because beer has a lower alcohol level than whiskey, brandy, and other spirits, the increase rate was 28.2% between 2018 and 2019.
The country’s overall consumption increased to 2,160 thousand kiloliters in 2021, up from 1,686 thousand kiloliters in 2020, and it had 1.2% of the global market share in 2021. United Breweries Limited (UBL) is one of the country’s largest beer firms, with Kingfisher being its most well-known brand.
Beer is a more seasonal drink in Germany, with the highest sales occurring during the summer. The country’s breweries received 78 honors at the European Beer Star 2021.
