Beer trends show brewers bouncing back

The Brewers of Europe | The 2023 Edition of the European Beer Trends Report reveals that beer sales in the European Union rose to 313 million hectolitres in 2022, up from 301 million hl in 2021 and 297 million hl in 2020, although still not yet at the pre-pandemic level of 322 million hl in 2019.

In terms of production, some 358 million hl of beer was made by breweries in the EU in 2022, up from 344 million hl in 2021 and 342 million hl in 2020. However, it was still below the 364 million hl recorded in 2019, according to the report, released at the 10th edition of the Beer Serves Europe event hosted by The Brewers of Europe.

The figures show the number of active breweries is also up: it rose again in the EU from 9,500 in 2021 to 9,680 in 2022. It is still a far cry from the increases at the end of the last decade when brewery numbers were rising by a thousand a year, but it is nonetheless a sign of the growth and innovation in the sector.

The Brewers of Europe Head of Operations Simon Spillane said the figures showed that brewers were growing stronger than ever. “We are looking ahead to a future where there is more and more choice in beer styles and flavours, as well as non-alcoholic and lower-alcohol beer. Beer is a beautiful, refreshing drink that brings people together – long may it continue to do so!” he said.

Recent years have seen new challenges since the Covid pandemic struck in 2020, forcing bars, cafés and restaurants to close. It was followed by the war in Ukraine, tightening government budgets, a general cost of living crisis and a surge in raw materials prices as energy costs rocketed. However, the beer market is on the road to recovery as it rebuilds with a more diverse range of beers than ever – including non-alcoholic beers that now represents over 5% of the European beer market.

The report was unveiled on November 29 at Beer Serves Europe, a gala evening this year celebrating the Spanish Presidency of the EU that brought together over 300 EU policymakers, brewing representatives and beer aficionados at The Brewers of Europe House in Brussels.

Speaking at the event President of the European Parliament Beer Club, MEP Ivan Štefanec said that beer was helping to power the European economy. “Beer is responsible for 2.6 million direct jobs, but with a multiplier effect of 16 – so for each brewery job there are 16 more jobs created in connected industries like agriculture and transport,” he said, adding that he would continue fighting in the parliament for fairer regulation for beer.