Which countries drink and produce the most beer

Beer is pretty darn popular

Beer has been enjoyed by civilizations for thousands of years, spanning different continents and cultures. It has become ingrained in social rituals and traditions, making it a symbol of celebration, camaraderie, and relaxation. Additionally, beer offers a wide range of flavors and styles, catering to diverse palates and preferences. Whether it's a hoppy IPA, a crisp lager, a robust stout, or a refreshing witbier, there's a beer for everyone to enjoy.

How much do people like beer? According to the latest data from Kirin Holdings, beer consumption exceeded 185.6 million kilolitres in 2021, a four percent increase from the previous year. Kirin Holdings has been tracking global beer consumption since 1975 and share its findings in an annual report.

When it comes to total consumption, China leads the way. In 2021, the country’s consumption reached 38 million kilolitres representing a 5.6% increase from the year before. China has held the poll position for 19 straight years and accounts for approximately one-fifth of all the beer consumed globally. The United States comes in second place with about 13% market and the top two together account more than one-third of volume of the beer consumed globally. Let’s explore the data in more detail.

Beer consumption per capita

Let’s take a different look at beer consumption. While China holds the crown for the most beer consumed by a country, the Czech Republic reigns number one on the list of the most volume of beer consumed per capita. It’s a position it has held for 29 consecutive years. The average Czech drinks more than 184 litres of beer per year - that’s about 1.5 bottles (341 ml) of beer per day. The map below shows the top 25 countries by beer consumption per capita.

Are the biggest consumers also the biggest producers?

China and the United States rank number one and two when it comes to the annual consumption of beer and also occupy the top spots when it comes to the volume of beer produced. China is the clear number one producing more than 34 million kilolitres of beer in 2021, about 15 million kilolitres more than second-place United States. Some of the most popular domestic beer brands in China include Tsingtao, Snow, and Harbin. Here’s a look at the top 10 beer producing countries in 2021.