The French And Beer: A Cultural Perspective

France is famous for its wine, but what about its beer? The country's beer consumption is slowly rising, with 23 million households buying at least one pack of beer in 2022. However, France still lags behind its European peers, with the average French person drinking just 33 litres of beer per year. In contrast, the average Czech drinks 129 litres per year.

The French have a particular affinity for blonde beers, but they also enjoy dark, amber, and white beers, as well as speciality beers. The country's craft beer scene is growing, with the number of craft brewers rising to nearly 2,500 over the past 15 years. However, craft beers still only account for a small percentage of the market, with most beer sold in France being pilsner lager produced by major breweries.

So, while the French may not drink as much beer as their European neighbours, they certainly appreciate a diverse range of brews and are increasingly embracing craft beers.

French beer consumption is slowly rising, with 23 million households buying beer in 2022

France is a country more commonly associated with wine than beer. However, French beer consumption is slowly rising, with 23 million households buying beer in 2022. This is an increase of 770,000 households compared to 2019. Despite this, France still lags behind its European peers in terms of beer consumption. The average French person drinks 33 litres of beer per year, far less than the average in the Czech Republic (129 litres per year) or Austria (101 litres per year).

The French preference for wine over beer may be cultural as well as traditional. Drinking alcohol in France is interpreted differently than in some other countries. Beer and wine are seen as part of a meal or an experience, rather than a means to intoxication. It is common and acceptable to enjoy a beer or wine with lunch during the workweek and simply head back to work. Beer is considered a soft drink and is often consumed with food, just like a Coke or another soda might be.

The French beer market is dominated by major breweries, which control over 90% of the market. Most beer sold in France is pilsner lager, mass-produced by these large breweries. However, there is also a strong tradition of craft brewing in the country, with a focus on speciality beers. In recent years, the number of craft brewers has risen to nearly 2,500, a tenfold increase over the past 15 years. These small breweries produce a diverse range of beers, from tequila-flavoured to fruit-flavoured.

Craft beers occupy a large niche in the French market, despite the dominance of big brewers. While craft beer sales rose 10% in 2022, they still only account for 5-10% of the total beer market in France. The enthusiasm for local craft beer consumption has not waned, but consumers have become more demanding and harder to convince. As a result, craft brewers must adjust their prices and innovate to stand out in the market.

France is a traditional wine country, and beer is seen as a soft drink

France is a country steeped in wine tradition, with a complex set of rules surrounding its consumption. In contrast, beer is viewed more casually, akin to a soft drink. While beer is certainly consumed in France, the country has a much lower beer consumption per capita than its European peers, including the Czech Republic, Austria, and neighbouring Spain.

In France, wine is considered an integral part of a meal, with specific rules dictating when and how it should be enjoyed. For example, wine is typically only consumed with food, and even then, certain types of wine are reserved for different courses. On the other hand, beer is seen as more versatile and can be enjoyed at any time of day, even in the morning. This difference in perception is reflected in the drinking culture, where ordering a glass of wine in a café in the afternoon would be considered a breach of social protocol, whereas drinking a beer would be perfectly acceptable.

Historically, France had a thriving beer-brewing culture, with over a thousand breweries in the early 20th century. However, various factors, including industrialisation and the impact of the two World Wars, led to a decline in regional breweries and a shift towards larger, urban breweries. In recent decades, there has been a resurgence of interest in beer, with the emergence of many new breweries, particularly microbreweries. These microbreweries have been instrumental in driving the current craft beer craze in France, with consumers embracing a wide range of specialty beers, from tequila-flavoured to fruit-flavoured brews.

Despite the growing popularity of craft beer, France's beer market is still dominated by major breweries, with mass-produced pilsner lager controlling over 90% of the market. However, traditional beer styles, such as top-fermented Bière de Garde, continue to be produced, particularly in regions like Alsace-Lorraine, the main beer-producing region in France.

While France may be best known for its wine, the country's beer culture is evolving, and beer is increasingly viewed as a refreshing beverage that can be enjoyed at any time, fitting seamlessly into the French lifestyle.

There are rules around drinking in France, including only drinking wine with food

France has a long history of wine production, and this has had a significant influence on its drinking culture. While wine consumption is declining, it is still common to see people drinking wine in public parks or along the Seine. However, there are rules in place to regulate drinking in France.

The legal drinking age in France is 18 years old, and it is illegal for minors to purchase or consume alcohol in public places. This includes drinking in parks, which is prohibited, and drinking on the streets after 4 pm in certain areas. These areas include popular tourist destinations such as the Champs-Elysées, the Eiffel Tower, and the Latin Quarter. It is also worth noting that glass bottles are banned in Parisian parks and along the Seine, due to the nuisance of broken glass.

While France does not have open container laws, drinking in public places is discouraged, especially if it leads to public intoxication. Drinking and driving is also illegal, with strict rules and fines in place for those who are caught.

When it comes to drinking culture, the French have a more relaxed attitude compared to some countries. It is common for French children to be introduced to alcohol at a young age, with watered-down wine served at the dinner table. This is thought to prevent binge drinking later on. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in hospitalizations due to binge drinking among teenagers, which has led to stricter regulations.

One notable aspect of French drinking culture is the importance of food. Drinking is often accompanied by food, even if it is just small snacks. The French also have two important drink categories related to food: apéritifs and digestifs. Apéritifs are served before a meal to open the appetite and are usually lighter, uplifting drinks. Digestifs, on the other hand, are served after dinner and are typically stronger liquors.

In terms of drinking etiquette, it is considered rude not to make eye contact and clink glasses individually while saying "Santé!" during a toast.

France has a rich history of beer brewing, with many speciality beers

The Alsace-Lorraine region, with its ties to Germany, is the main beer-producing region. Breweries in and around Strasbourg, such as Licorne, Kronenbourg, and Meteor, are key players in the French beer industry. The Nord-Pas-de-Calais area, also known as French Flanders, has a longstanding brewing heritage influenced by its cultural ties to Belgium.

France boasts a variety of speciality beers, including Bière de Garde, a strong pale ale traditionally brewed in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, and Telenn Du, a beer made with buckwheat by Brasserie Lancelot in Brittany. The country also produces Trappist ales, brown beers, and saisons, which have been popular for decades.

In recent years, France has seen a rise in craft beer consumption, with an increasing number of microbreweries and craft brewers. Consumers are embracing speciality beers, from tequila-flavoured to fruit-flavoured varieties. The craft beer movement in France is thriving, with innovative brewers creating unique products and contributing to the rich history of beer brewing in the country.

The French beer market is valued at EUR 4.1 billion per year, providing jobs for over 130,000 people and contributing significantly to public finances through taxes and levies. While France may not be the top beer-consuming country in Europe, its speciality beers and craft brewing scene are testament to its rich brewing history and evolving consumer tastes.

The French prefer blonde beers, but also drink dark, amber, and white beers

While the French may be known for their wine, beer is also a popular beverage in the country. In fact, France is the largest producer of barley in Europe and has been the world's largest malt exporter in the last 30 years.

When it comes to beer preferences, the French exhibit an eclectic taste. They prefer blonde beers, but they also drink dark, amber, and white beers. The most popular type of beer sold in France is pilsner lager, mass-produced by major breweries that control over 90% of the market. However, there is also a growing appreciation for craft beers, with the number of craft brewers rising to nearly 2,500 in recent years.

The French have a unique relationship with alcohol, particularly when compared to countries like Canada and the United States. Beer and wine are not seen as a means to intoxication but rather as an accompaniment to a meal or an experience in itself. It is not uncommon to see people enjoying a beer in the morning or during lunch without raising any eyebrows. This casual attitude towards alcohol consumption is reflected in the fact that France has the highest share of its adult population drinking alcohol, yet it does not crack the top 10 countries for alcohol abuse disorders.

France's beer market is diverse, offering everything from traditional beers like top-fermented Bière de Garde to innovative craft beers and speciality beers like tequila-flavoured and fruit-flavoured brews. While the country may lag behind its European peers in overall beer consumption, the interest in beer among the French is undeniable, and the craft beer movement is gaining momentum.

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