The Czech Republic, known historically for its high beer consumption, saw a significant drop in 2020. The average person consumed 256 beers, the lowest number since 1963. Despite still leading the world in beer consumption per capita, experts predict this downward trend will continue.
The decline in beer consumption is due to several factors. The worsening economic situation for families plays a significant role, as does the rising cost of draft beer. As a result, more people are opting to drink at home, where beer is cheaper. The amount of beer sold in bars and restaurants has dropped to 30%, the lowest in history apart from the Covid-19 years.
Just fifteen years ago, more than half of all beer consumed in the Czech Republic was drunk in bars and restaurants. Now, consumers are turning to drinking beer in their homes, gardens, or garages. Breweries’ overall production has also decreased, with an annual drop of 2.7%.
Younger generations in the Czech Republic are consuming less beer. According to Luboš Kastner from the Czech Gastronomic Institute, the young generation has stopped drinking, and the sale of hard alcohol is dropping at a double-digit pace. The beer consumption will never return to the levels seen in previous years.
The Czech Brewery and Malthouse Association is fighting this drop in consumption by attempting to add Czech beer culture to the list of intangible cultural heritage. This interests foreign tourists who want to see the sights, taste the beer, and pair it with completely different dishes than abroad.