Germany’s Brewery Count Falls as Beer Sales Hit Decade Low

Overview

• Germany's brewery count dropped by 3.4% to 1,459 in 2024, with 52 closures reported last year, according to the Statistisches Bundesamt.
• Domestic beer consumption fell to 6.8 billion liters in 2024, marking a 15.1% decline compared to 2014 and the lowest level in a decade.
• Beer exports also declined by 6% over the past decade, reaching 1.45 billion liters in 2024, though exports now account for 17.6% of total sales.
• Rising energy costs, driven by the Ukraine conflict, have significantly increased production expenses, particularly for smaller breweries.
• Non-alcoholic beer production doubled over the past 20 years to 700 million liters in 2024, capturing 9% of the market as health-conscious consumers drive demand.