Beer Drinking Champions: Who Consumes The Most?

Beer is the world's most popular alcoholic drink, with China drinking the greatest total volume. However, when it comes to per-capita consumption, the Czech Republic tops the list, with 140.12 litres consumed per person in 2021. This is the equivalent of 290.8 633ml bottles of beer per person per year, almost double that of second-placed Austria. The UK and US don't even make the top 10, coming in at 25th and 17th place, respectively.

Which country drinks the most beer per capita?

The country that drinks the most beer per capita is the Czech Republic. According to the Kirin Brewery Company's latest poll, which examined total per-capita beer consumption by country in 2021, the Czech Republic consumed 184.1 litres per capita annually. This is close to double the amount of beer consumed in Austria, which came in second place. This marks the 29th year in a row that the Czech Republic has topped the list.

The other countries that made it into the top ten for beer consumption per capita are: Austria, Lithuania, Romania, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Spain, Namibia, and Croatia. Interestingly, the UK, despite its reputation for binge drinking, ranked 25th, while the US came in 17th.

When it comes to total volume of beer consumed, China takes the lead, drinking 38,093 thousand kilolitres. However, due to its large population, China does not even break the top 35 countries in beer drunk per capita.

It is worth noting that beer consumption is influenced by various factors, including cultural and social dynamics, affordability, and the availability of other alcoholic beverages.

Which country drinks the most beer overall?

When it comes to drinking the most beer overall, China takes the top spot. According to JP Morgan Chase, China has the largest beer market in the world, accounting for 22.4% of the global beer industry. This equates to a staggering 38,093 thousand kilolitres or 34,979 thousand tons of beer consumed annually.

However, when looking at per-capita consumption, the Czech Republic takes the lead. The Czechs have been crowned the world's biggest beer drinkers per capita for 29 consecutive years, according to Kirin Brewery Company's 2021 poll. With a consumption rate of 184.1 litres per capita annually, the Czech Republic's beer consumption per person is nearly double that of second-place Austria's 98.7 litres.

Beer in the Czech Republic is often cheaper than bottled water, typically costing around $1 USD for a half-litre. The country also has a long history of brewing, with a brewery founded in the Břevnov Monastery in Prague as far back as 933 AD.

While China and the Czech Republic stand out as the top beer-consuming countries, beer is widely enjoyed around the globe. Europe, in particular, dominates the top 10 list for per-capita consumption, with nine countries from the continent making the cut.

In the United States, beer consumption varies significantly by state, with Midwestern states drinking more beer per capita than their Northeastern counterparts. New Hampshire, known for its lack of alcohol tax, tops the list for beer consumption per capita within the US.

Which US states drink the most beer per capita?

Americans are known for their love of beer, and with well over 9,000 operational breweries across the country, it's no surprise that beer is the most consumed alcoholic beverage in the US. In 2021, Americans consumed 6.5 billion gallons of beer, far surpassing wine and spirits.

When it comes to beer consumption per capita, the Midwest region of the US consumed the most beer, with 1.09 gallons of ethanol from beer per person. However, when looking at individual states, New Hampshire takes the lead with the highest per capita consumption. This is likely due to the state's lack of alcohol taxation, attracting drinkers from neighbouring states like Vermont and Maine. Montana and Vermont follow closely behind New Hampshire, each boasting dozens of craft breweries despite their small populations.

Other states with high per capita beer consumption include North Dakota, with an impressive 45.8 gallons per person, followed by New Hampshire at 43.9 gallons, Montana at 41.0 gallons, and South Dakota at 38.9 gallons. Wisconsin, Nevada, Vermont, Nebraska, and Texas also make it into the top ten, with Texas being a notable mention as it is the second most populous state in the US.

Which US states drink the most beer overall?

Americans are known for their love of beer. With over 9,000 breweries operating in the country, it's no surprise that beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in the United States. In 2021, Americans consumed a whopping 6.5 billion gallons of beer, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

When it comes to which states drink the most beer overall, the answer depends on whether you're looking at total volume or per capita consumption.

By Total Volume

The states that consume the most beer by volume are typically the most populous states. California, being the most populous state, leads the pack with 772 million to 795.2 million gallons of beer consumed per year. Texas and Florida are close contenders for the top spot, with Texas consuming 655 million gallons and Florida following with 443.2 million gallons. These three states are followed by Pennsylvania and New York, respectively, to round out the top five.

By Per Capita Consumption

On the other hand, when it comes to per capita consumption, less populous states tend to rank higher. New Hampshire tops the list, thanks in part to its lack of alcohol taxation, which attracts drinkers from neighbouring states like Vermont and Maine. Montana and Vermont themselves complete the top three, each boasting dozens of craft breweries despite their small populations. North Dakota and Maine also make the top five for per capita beer consumption.

By Region

Breaking it down by region, the South consumed the most beer in 2021, with a total of 2.5 billion gallons. However, when analysed on a per capita basis, the Midwest comes out on top, with 1.09 gallons of ethanol from beer consumed per person. The South and West are close behind at 1.07 gallons per capita, while the Northeast consumes the least at 1.01 gallons per capita.

Which country has the largest beer market?

China is the largest beer market in the world, consuming 34,979 thousand tons of beer in 2021. This is the 16th consecutive year that China has been the largest consumer of beer, although its consumption decreased by 2% in 2018. China's beer market accounts for 22.4% of the global beer market.

The United States is the second-largest beer market, accounting for 13% of the global beer market. However, in terms of per-capita consumption, the US ranked 17th in the world in 2021 and 24th in the world in 2023, with 72.89 litres consumed per person.

The Czech Republic has the highest per-capita consumption of beer in the world, with 140.12 litres consumed per person in 2021. This is the 29th consecutive year that the Czech Republic has had the highest per-capita consumption of beer.

Other countries with high per-capita consumption of beer include Namibia, Spain, Germany, Estonia, Poland, Romania, Lithuania, Austria, and Croatia.

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