German beer sales have declined significantly both domestically and internationally over the past decade, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on April 22, 2025. Ahead of German Beer Day on April 23, the statistics reveal a 15.1% drop in beer consumption within Germany and a 6% decrease in exports compared to 2014.
In 2024, Germany exported 1.45 billion liters of beer, down from 1.54 billion liters ten years earlier. More than half of these exports (55.7%) went to other European Union countries, with the remainder sent outside the bloc. Meanwhile, domestic sales fell from 8 billion liters in 2014 to 6.8 billion liters in 2024.
Despite the decline in alcoholic beer consumption, sales of non-alcoholic beer have surged in Germany, reflecting growing health consciousness among consumers. This trend aligns with a broader decline in alcohol consumption seen in many countries.
Interestingly, the number of breweries in Germany has increased over the decade, rising from 1,359 in 2014 to 1,459 in 2024, although this is still below the peak of 1,522 breweries recorded in 2019.
German Beer Day commemorates the 1516 “Reinheitsgebot” or Purity Law, which mandated that beer be brewed only with water, barley, and hops, aiming to protect bread prices by restricting wheat use in brewing.
The data highlights shifting consumer preferences and challenges for Germany’s iconic beer industry as it navigates changing market dynamics.
