These 10 Countries Have the Most Beer Drinkers
These 10 Countries Have the Most Beer Drinkers
Skål, Cin-cin, Salud, Prost, À votre santé!
Heads up, brew lovers everywhere. Whatever your native tongue, get ready to slake your thirst (at least virtually) with a trip around the world. We’re about to give you exclusive entrée into the countries harboring the globe’s most passionate beer afficionados.
From China to Germany to the UK, there are brew fans everywhere who swear allegiance to their homeland’s brews.
Ready for the countdown? Kick back, pop the tab on your favorite amber nectar, and savor a soupçon of what you just may be missing out on.
The competition is fierce. You be the judge!
1. China
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China is the brew-quaffing king when it comes to its sheer volume of beer consumption, downing a staggering 38,093 thousand kiloliters per year.
But let’s put that number into perspective. With a population of 1.425 billion, it’s no surprise that China ranks high on the total consumption scale. For per capita imbibing, it doesn’t even break the top 35 countries, but that could change. It looks like the Chinese are acquiring a taste for their brew bevvies, because beer consumption has increased by 5.6% over 2020. And as producers of Snow, the best-selling beer in the world by volume, China won’t be displaced from its top spot anytime soon.
2. United States of America
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The U.S. has a long, proud history of brew-making that dates back to 1632, so its citizens have had plenty of time to hone their taste. And let’s face it: Americans love their beer. Few things inspire such fierce loyalty (except maybe baseball).
Americans drink over 6.4 billion gallons of beer yearly, with a per capita average of 28.2 gallons. They’re known for favoring beer that’s lighter and clearer than its foreign counterparts, and over 9,700 craft breweries are tapping into that taste. But American brew-lovers have shown they’re open to change. In 2023, the long-time national favorite Bud Light was knocked off its pedestal by Mexican upstart Modelo, described as “a rich, full-flavored pilsner-style lager born with the fighting spirit.” Fightin’ words!
3. Brazil
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Sun-kissed beaches and ocean surf make Brazil the ideal place to savor a cooling cerveza—and the stats prove it. Brazilians quaff over 11 billion liters yearly, with a hefty per capita intake of 6.1 liters. Imbibing rates skyrocket during Brazilian Carnival (usually the first week of February), when the average Brazilian downs about 4% of their total annual amount in just a few days. So, if you’re planning to be there during that celebratory time, plan to rub shoulders with a “festive” crowd.
And the beery cheer doesn’t end there. Fun fact: a southern Brazilian city with the unlikely name of Blumenau has been crowned the National Capital of Beer and hosts the second-largest Oktoberfest in the world. Who knew?
4. Russia
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Weird but true: until recently, beer was officially classified as a “foodstuff” in Russia – meaning that pretty much anyone could purchase it anywhere. In 2012, the Russian government appeared to wake up to the fact that this situation was only feeding into the country’s staggering alcoholism rates and finally imposed regulations.
That did nothing to dull the Russian appetite for beer, which today ranks second only to vodka as the most popular drink in the country. In 2021, Russians downed 8,937 thousand liters, with average annual per capita clocking in at nearly 60 liters.
5. Mexico
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The citizens of the Land of Marvels clearly enjoy their cerveza, racking up a nationwide consumption tally of nearly 8,700 liters in 2021. That pans out to a formidable annual per capita consumption rate of over 70 liters.
Mexico is the home of global favorite Corona, first produced in 1925. One of the five most-consumed beers in the world, this brew has legs! Today, it’s the best-selling non-domestic beer in the US, UK and Australia. That makes Mexico a consistent heavy hitter on the beer production playing field.
6. Germany
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When you think of Germany, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s the “3 B’s”: Bach, Beethoven, and beer. This country honors its musical geniuses and celebrates its brewing brilliance. Germans are considered master brewers, and consumers know a good thing when they taste it. In 2021, the country downed a total of 7,584 thousand kiloliters, with per capita consumption tipping the scales at just over 90 liters.
With a culture rich in beer-drinking tradition, Germany is the home of Oktoberfest, the world’s biggest beer festival. Kicking off in 1810 in Munich, this granddaddy celebration of the amber nectar has spawned thousands of keg-tapping offspring worldwide.
7. United Kingdom
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A stalwart in the brewing and imbibing world, the UK got a good head start over many of its competitors. A brewing “industry” was already well established when the Romans arrived in 54 BC, and the invaders quickly acquired a taste for it. By the late Middle Ages, beer was such a large part of the daily diet that annual per capita consumption reached a staggering (and stagger-inducing) rate of nearly 300 liters.
Since then, healthier habits have prevailed. In 2021, UK consumers imbibed 4,608 thousand kiloliters of beer consumption in 2021, with the average Brit supping about 68 liters (or 1,100 pints) each. In the rapidly diminishing numbers of local pubs, you’ll still find plenty of punters nursing the UK’s favorite beer bevy. You guessed it: Guinness.
8. Japan
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Already a major hitter in the brewery trade, in the past couple of decades, Japan has built on its status with the growth of a vibrant craft beer bar and pub scene. Beer is by far the country’s drink of choice – beating out even sake in popularity.
Though it saw a slight decrease in consumption in 2021, Japan retains its solid ranking on the top-ten list of beer-drinking countries. It managed to hit 4,188 thousand kiloliters—clocking in at a relatively modest per capita intake of 34.2 liters.
Favorite local brands like Asahi and Sapporo are still going strong, but the growing numbers of microbreweries, emphasizing quality and craftsmanship, are tempting punters by offering new taste experiences.
9. Vietnam
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A dark horse entry on the top-ten list, Vietnam is a strong contender with serious bona fides. In 2021, the country consumed 159,000 kiloliters of beer. But the Vietnamese aren’t merely enthusiastic beer drinkers: they win awards for what they produce. Scooping up four gold medals at the Asian Beer Championship in 2021, Vietnam proved that they can dish it out and take it.
As in much of the world, trends have changed over time. Now, locals are starting to prefer craft beers over big-name brands, and dozens of craft breweries have opened in the last several years to cater to changing tastes.
10. Spain
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When it comes to alcoholic beverages, Spain is probably most closely associated with its robust Rioja wines. But when the sunny season arrives, Spaniards are happy to don their beer-drinking hats and savor a frosty San Miguel or Estrella Damm—the country’s two top brands.
In 2021, Spaniards consumed over 4,131 thousand kiloliters—working out to about 45 liters per head. With a large and growing number of craft breweries, Spain’s beer-producing industry may soon be giving its robust wine culture a run for its money.
Per-Capita Champs
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Before we end this country countdown, it’s time to offer a special award for outstanding performance in annual per-person consumption. Standing firm in the #1 spot for per capita beer drinking for the 30th straight year is (ta-da) the Czech Republic. Last year, these thirsty folks downed a whopping 184 liters (or about 390 pints) of beer each!
It’s not completely surprising, given that Czech beer brands like Pilsner Urquell and Budweiser Budvar are considered some of the best in the world. And who wouldn’t want to stop off for a cold one (or two) in one of the country’s many cozy traditional pubs?
Now, if this top-ten (+ 1) list has left you with a parched throat and itchy feet, our work here is done. The rest is up to you – so pick a winner and pack your bags!
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Zobia Shazi is a freelance writer from Pakistan and travel enthusiast. With a Bachelor's degree in IT and four years of professional writing experience, she's passionate about crafting compelling content for people all over the globe. When she's not busy typing, you can find her reading books in a nice cafe or exploring new places.
