Is the weather to blame?

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Beer bottles being filled(Bild: industrieblick - stock.adobe.com)

Despite the European Football Championships, German breweries sold a historically low amount of beer last year. 8.3 billion liters were counted, according to the Federal Statistical Office on Monday. Exports increased by 1.6 percent.

According to tax statistics, domestic sales fell by two percent in the previous year. This does not include non-alcoholic varieties, which are not taxed and have been on a continuous upward trend for years.

Since 2014, sales by breweries and beer warehouses have even fallen by 13.7% or 1.3 billion liters. The lowest level since reunification has now been reached. The reasons for this are trends towards a healthier lifestyle with less alcohol and the ageing of society.

According to the German Brewers' Association, the weather also contributed to the decline in sales. There were several periods of rain in spring and summer. "Many beer garden visits literally fell through, and events surrounding the European Football Championship were also affected. The wet month of June was the worst beer month compared to the previous year, with national sales down 13.5 percent."

Beer sales had started with a plus of 2.5 percentage points until May 2024, but the minus finally developed in the summer.