Beer drinking in Germany is falling, while alcohol-free options are booming. The federal statistics office reports sales of alcohol-free beer have grown by 109 percent since 2013. Meanwhile, overall beer sales have reached their lowest level in over 30 years.
For the first time, total sales dropped below four billion liters in a six-month period. Between January and June 2025, breweries sold around 3.9 billion liters. That marks a decline of 6.3 percent, or 262 million liters, compared with the same period last year.
brewers adjust to younger audiences
The Erdinger brewery near Munich has been producing beer since the 1880s. Chief executive Stefan Kreisz says drinking habits are changing. Around a quarter of Erdinger’s production is now alcohol-free.
He argues that brewers must appeal to younger generations. “You need to understand how they meet and how they celebrate. No algorithm tells you to drink beer,” he explains.
Kreisz remains confident in German beer culture. Erdinger markets its alcohol-free range at sporting events as a natural alternative to energy drinks.
conscious drinking shapes nightlife
At Café Kosmos in Munich, barman Louis von Tucher notices more health-conscious habits. “In the 2000s, people were offended if you suggested water,” he recalls. “Now guests are more mindful. They still drink alcohol, but more carefully, with alcohol-free options in between.”
Still, von Tucher emphasizes that traditional beer dominates. “It’s only a slight shift,” he says. “We sell 150 to 500 liters of regular beer per night, compared with around 20 liters of alcohol-free. The gap remains large.”
festivals show beer culture remains strong
At Bamberg’s Sandkerwa folk festival, beer traditions remain central. For five days, medieval streets fill with music, food stalls and crowded beer stands.
In the old town, Pascal enjoys a beer with a friend. “Beer is very important here. We have many breweries. Visitors come for the beer and the fest. I don’t think people drink less than before,” he says.
Magdalena, a student, agrees while observing the crowd outside a beer garden. “Everyone has a glass of beer. It’s a big part of daily life, even if unhealthy. We all know that,” she admits. “In my generation, people drink less every day, but it’s still Germany, and it’s still Bavaria.”
