Which City Consumes The Most Beer?

Beer is the world's most popular alcoholic beverage, and also the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. While China, the United States, and Brazil are the top three beer-drinking countries by total consumption, per capita, the Czech Republic comes out on top, with 140.12 litres consumed per person in 2021. In the US, per capita consumption varies by state, with New Hampshire drinking the most, likely due to its lack of tax on alcohol.

US beer consumption by state

Beer is America's drink of choice, with Americans drinking about 6.3 billion gallons of beer every year. Beer consumption per capita varies significantly by state and region.

New Hampshire residents drink the most beer per capita of any state, likely due to the state's lack of tax on alcohol. In 2020, New Hampshire consumed 41.5 gallons of beer per capita annually. In 2024, this figure rose to 43.9 gallons. The lowest-consuming state in 2020 was Maryland, which consumed 19.7 gallons per capita.

The states that follow New Hampshire in beer consumption per capita are Montana, North Dakota, and Vermont. However, when looking at the total volume of beer consumed, highly populated states such as California, Texas, and Florida top the list, with Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York trailing behind.

Overall, the average US adult over the age of 21 consumes about 10 ounces of beer per day, or roughly one six-pack per week.

Global beer consumption by country

While beer is the world's most popular alcoholic beverage, global beer consumption has been falling. The volume of alcoholic drinks consumed globally fell by 1.4% in 2016, to 250 billion litres. This was the second consecutive year of decline since data was first collected in 1994. The drop is largely due to people drinking less beer, which accounts for three-quarters of all alcohol drunk by volume.

China is the world's largest beer-drinking country in terms of total volume. In 2016, China consumed 38,093 thousand kilolitres of beer, maintaining its position as the largest beer-consuming country for the 14th consecutive year since 2003. However, China did not make the top 35 countries for beer consumption per capita.

The United States is also one of the world's biggest beer drinkers, consuming 6.3 billion to 6.5 billion gallons of beer every year. However, it only ranks 17th in the world for beer consumption per capita.

The country that consumes the most ethanol from beer per capita is Gabon, where citizens drink an average of 6.37 litres of ethanol from beer per year. The Czech Republic comes in second place, consuming 6.3 litres of ethanol from beer per capita each year. The Czech Republic has held this position for 29 consecutive years. Austria is in third place, with 5.88 litres consumed per capita.

Other countries that make the top ten for beer consumption per capita are:

• Croatia – 82.4 litres per capita
• Namibia – 85.7 litres per capita
• Spain – 88.5 litres per capita
• Germany – 90.4 litres per capita
• Estonia – 91.4 litres per capita
• Poland – 94.1 litres per capita
• Romania – 95.6 litres per capita
• Lithuania – 96.3 litres per capita
• Austria – 98.7 litres per capita
• Czech Republic – 184.1 litres per capita

Why does the US drink so much beer?

While the US is known for its beer consumption, it doesn't even rank in the top 15 countries for per-capita beer drinking. According to the Global Health Observatory (GHO) branch of the World Health Organization (WHO), the US consumes 6.3 billion gallons of beer annually, or 6.5 billion according to another source. This works out at 28.2 gallons per adult per year, or around 10 ounces per day for adults over 21.

So why does the US drink so much beer? One reason could be that beer has been the world's most popular alcoholic beverage. Beer has been losing popularity in the US in recent years, with Americans turning to other types of alcohol or avoiding alcohol altogether. However, beer remains a popular drink, with Americans drinking 26.5 gallons per person in 2021, down from 36.7 gallons in 1981.

Another factor contributing to high beer consumption in the US could be the lack of tax on alcohol in certain states, such as New Hampshire, which has the highest per-capita beer consumption. Additionally, highly populated states like California, Texas, and Florida top the list of states that consume the most beer overall.

Beer consumption also varies by region, with Midwesterners drinking more beer than those in other regions, while Northeasterners drink the least. Demographics play a role as well, with adults aged 35-54, those with a college degree, those with higher incomes, and those who attend church less than once a week being more likely to consume alcohol.

The economic impact of beer

While beer is a beloved beverage worldwide, some cities and countries are particularly notable for their beer consumption and interesting drinking cultures. But what is the economic impact of beer?

Beer is big business, contributing over half a trillion dollars to the global GDP. The industry is deeply interconnected, with its web stretching from the barley fields of France and Argentina to the manufacturing hubs of Brazil and China. Yet, it remains a localised industry, with 89% of supplies sourced from within the domestic markets where the beer is sold. This means that the economic impact of beer is often felt most strongly at a local level, supporting farmers, producers, and retailers.

The global beer market is dominated by China, the United States, and Brazil, which together account for over 40% of consumption. China has been the world's top beer consumer for 20 consecutive years, with 90% of its market share belonging to domestic brands. The country's beer revenues are expected to soar to $124.2 billion in 2024, reflecting the growing demand and dynamic nature of the Chinese market.

The United States, ranked second, has a robust beer market valued at $116.9 billion. Interestingly, domestic beers lead the market, followed by imported and craft beers, showcasing the diverse tastes of American consumers. The US beer industry has a significant economic impact, with beer being the most consumed alcoholic beverage in the country.

Brazil, a major player in third place, is responsible for 7.8% of global beer consumption. The country's love for beer is evident, and its market is expected to generate $49.3 billion in revenue by 2024. Brazil's substantial share of global consumption cements its key role in the industry.

While China, the US, and Brazil are the top consumers, Europe has the highest consumption per capita. The Czech Republic, with its affordable beer, tops the list, followed by Austria and Germany. Beer is cheaper than water in the Czech Republic, and the country is the birthplace of the pilsner, contributing to its high per capita consumption.

Beer vs. other alcoholic drinks

While beer is the world's most popular alcoholic beverage, with the US drinking 6.3 billion gallons of beer annually, the country that consumes the most ethanol from beer per capita is Gabon, with an average of 6.37 litres per person. The Czech Republic comes in second, with 6.3 litres, and Austria is third with 5.88 litres. China, on the other hand, consumes the most beer in terms of total volume, with 38,093 thousand kilolitres. However, due to its large population, it does not make the top 35 countries in beer consumption per capita.

Beer is made by extracting raw materials with water and fermenting them. The raw materials used are usually malt, hops, or yeast, as opposed to the fruits, grains, and vegetables used in distilled spirits. Beer is not distilled, butsection instead goes through a process of fermentation.

Beer has more antioxidants than hard liquor, which often has fewer or no carbohydrates. Pure forms of spirits like vodka, rum, whiskey, gin, and tequila have no carbohydrates, which is beneficial for those watching their blood sugar. However, when mixed with sugary drinks, the total calorie count of these spirits may double. Beer has a calorie range of 95-210 calories for a regular-sized 12 oz bottle. Darker beers usually have more calories than lighter ones.

Liquor has a higher alcohol content than beer, which is measured by alcohol by volume (ABV). A shot of liquor can have a stronger effect than a can of beer, and liquor is easier to abuse because its flavour can be masked by non-alcoholic beverages. However, both beer and liquor pose similar risks to a person's health, and excessive consumption of either can lead to alcohol-related liver disease. Therefore, moderation is key when it comes to reaping the health benefits of alcoholic drinks.

Frequently asked questions