31 Intriguing Beer Consumption Statistics

At the end of a long, hard day, nothing sounds better than a cold beer to wash some troubles away. This alcoholic beverage is consumed around the world and billions of gallons are produced annually. What may surprise people, however, is that the US is not the world’s leading beer producer.

China is the #1 producer of beer, doubling US production levels every year.

Beer Consumption

China also leads the world in the total amount of beer that is consumed every year. China averages 28,640 mega liters of beer consumed every year. How much is a mega liter? 1 million regular liters. That’s a lot of beer.

• In terms of per capita beer consumption, the Czech Republic leads the world with 158 liters consumed per person.
• In comparison, the US per capita consumption rate is 81 liters per person, almost 50% less per person.
• In the United States, people in the state of Nevada consume the most beer per person. People in the state of Utah consume the least amount.
• Bud Light is the top selling beer in the world, averaging more than $5 billion in annual sales.
• In the US, more people drink beer on Independence Day than any other day. Interestingly enough, more beer is consumed on Easter than during the Super Bowl.
• The beer market in China is growing by 39.7% per year. The next closest nation in growth is Brazil at 8.3%.
• In 2015, 85 percent of all beer was domestically produced, and 14 percent was imported from more than 100 different countries around the world.
• Based on beer shipment data and U.S. Census population statistics, U.S. consumers 21 years and older consumed 27.5 gallons of beer and cider per person during 2015.

Beer is one of the fastest growing beverages in the world today. The inexpensive brands have the greatest impact on sales, as evidenced by the overwhelming support for Bud Light. Regular Budweiser branded beer comes in second in sales every year, but at just $2.5 billion, doesn’t even reach 50% of the market share that Bud Light has. When a quick beverage is wanted and alcohol is desired, the statistics show that beer is one of the world’s top choices.

How Strong Is The Beer Market?

• US beer sales actually declined by 1.9% overall for the year 2013.
• Despite the overall decline, craft beer sales rose 17.2% in the same year. Export craft beer sales increased by 49%.
• The overall beer market in the US is estimated to be $100 billion annually. The craft beer market accounts for 14% of this total market in sales volume, but 7.8% of the market share.
• 7% of beer drinkers say that they were drinking more craft beers in 2013 when compared to 2012.
• 93% of people who prefer imported beers say that the discovery of a new beer is very important to them.
• 49% of Millennials prefer drinking craft beers, but only 29% of Baby Boomers say that they prefer craft beer.

Budweiser aired a commercial during the 2015 Super Bowl that was intended to put the smack down on the craft beer industry. The Budweiser brand might bring in $42 billion in revenues per year when all beers are considered, but the craft beer industry is taking a good chunk of revenues as well. Craft beer is more expensive, but is being regularly purchased because of the perceived value that it contains. Macro-breweries can provide consistent products, but people are craving variety. They’ll be loyal to their preferred brands, but they will incorporate new brands into their loyalty as well.

How Extensive Is The Beer Market Today?

• Anheuser-Busch took 40 years to get to 50% of the beer industry from 12%.
• 80%. That’s the percentage of beer that is made in the US, but controlled by just two companies – both that are not American based.
• Bud, Miller and Coors’ beers are made using rice or corn as adjuncts to the original ingredients.
• The beer industry employs approximately 1.7 million Americans, paying them almost $55 billion in wages and benefits.
• At the beginning of 2013, there were 2,336 breweries in the United States and a new one opening every day.
• If beer sales were allowed online, the growth of beer would be extensive, especially in the craft beer market, as people often have a preferred beer that is outside of their distribution area.
• In the US alone, beer is sold in over 530,000 different retail establishments.
• The number of beer laws that exist in the United States: 37,000.

If you want to have a beer today, then in most parts of the world you’re going to be able to have one. Although income plays a small role in the access to beer, it only costs a couple of bucks to purchase a 40 ounce beer of certain brands. If people will spend $3 on an energy drink, then they’ll spend $2 on a beer. The issue that the beer market faces today, however, and what is driving beer consumption to the craft makers is that fact that the macro market has become so consolidated. It’s a virtual monopoly and that’s something that the average beer consumer just doesn’t want to see today.

Should You Be Drinking More Beer?

• Regular beer consumption lowers the risk of developing kidney stones in men by 40% according to a study in Finland.
• People who drink beer regularly also have 30% higher levels of Vitamin B6 in their bodies compared to those who do not drink beer.
• Beer has even been shown in one study to provide better fluid replenishment than water, being recommended in moderate amounts for athletes.
• With over 400 different types of beer, there is plenty of variety for everyone to find a personal favorite.
• If someone were to drink 30 12 oz cans of beer, the humulone that is within the beer could guard against pneumonia and bronchitis infections.
• Lactoflavin and nicotinic acid are both found in beer, substances that help people sleep.
• 26,000. That’s the number of lives that the USDA says are saved every year because of lower disease risks thanks to beer consumption.
• Moderate beer drinkers experience a 31% reduction in their risks of developing heart disease.

Beer could be healthy for you, but it could also be devastating to your digestive tract. Many beers have high amounts of gluten in them, making them unsuitable for people with tolerance issues or celiac disease. There are gluten-free beers that are available on the market, but there are not many options on a mass scale. Beer consumption does, however, seem to have certain benefits for the general population that are often ignored. Forget about using beer to get drunk. Use it to fortify your B vitamins and maintain your hydration instead.