The Czech Republic remains a beer powerhouse, but the trend of declining beer consumption continues. According to data from the Czech Association of Breweries and Malthouses, a total of 15.2 million hectoliters of beer were drunk in the Czech Republic last year, 300,000 hectoliters less than in 2022. Average consumption fell by 8 liters to 128 liters of beer per inhabitant. This is still the most of any country in the world.
“It’s a combination of factors, in addition to price growth, it’s mainly a change in consumer behavior. The young generation is no longer fond of hanging out in pubs,” Tomáš Slunečko, director of the Czech Association of Breweries and Malthouses, summarized the reasons for the decline for SZ Byznys.
Czech breweries brewed a total of 20.05 million hectoliters of beer last year, which, according to the association, is roughly 2.5 percent less than in 2022. Since the last pandemic year, 2019, production has grown in the following two years. So far, breweries recorded the lowest production in 2011, when production fell to 18.6 million hectoliters.
“For the fourth year already, the values of the annual beer exhibition for the domestic market are below the level of 2010. Unfortunately, the expected revival of sales last year was directly and indirectly hindered by the unfavorable economic situation,” says Slunečko.
Czechs drink more ale and lager, interest in ten drops
The overall decline in beer consumption is also reflected in the preferences of Czech brewers. They increasingly prefer stronger and more expensive lagers at the expense of draft beer, formerly known as ten. Its share decreased by 1.6 percentage points year-on-year to 38.2 percent, while the share of eleven- and twelve-degree beer slightly increased by 1.2 percentage points to 57.3 percent.
“People are looking for quality, craftsmanship and authenticity, in short, products with a soul. When the price level rises, people want higher quality,” notes Luboš Kastner from the consulting firm BC21. “Overall consumption is falling because people no longer want to go to pubs that have lost their substance,” he adds.
On the contrary, the production of non-alcoholic beer and beer-based mixed drinks, i.e. so-called beer mixes or radlers, is growing. The exhibition of this segment reached the level of 1.42 million hectoliters last year, which represents a year-on-year increase of 9.3%. Compared to the pre-covid year 2019, the production of this type of beer drink increased by more than a third.
The consumption of beer specialties from the production of microbreweries is also increasing. At the same time, the popularity of classic artisan tens is growing in this segment. “Minibreweries fall into the category of specials. Lager is still the strongest, but in recent years lager has become very strong,” says Michal Voldřich, head of the Association of Minibreweries.
Czechs don’t drink in the pub, but in the living room
While sales of draft beer increased slightly in the early 2000s, the trend reversed again last year. In 2023, 30 percent of the total amount of beer sold in pubs and restaurants was drunk, one percentage point less than in 2022. households. At the same time, even 15 years ago, more than half of Czech beer was drunk in pubs and restaurants,” explains Slunečko
“Czech beer culture is changing faster than suppliers and pub operators are able to respond to these changes,” claims Kastner. “Breweries with a high-quality and wide offer and pubs that can offer guests an above-standard experience will be attractive,” he adds.
After two years of growth, there was also a decline in the export of Czech beer last year, which fell by 4.3 percent year-on-year to 5.17 million hectoliters, i.e. the level of 2018. The most beer was exported to Slovakia, Germany and Poland. “The trends we talked about also exist abroad. According to what colleagues from other countries tell me, beer consumption is changing throughout Europe,” says Slunečko.
On the contrary, very little beer is imported to the Czech Republic from abroad. Imports decreased by 21 percent year-on-year last year and accounted for only 2.9 percent of total domestic consumption.
