Germany produced 85.1 million hectolitres of beer in 2023, while domestic demand stood at about 71.5 million hectolitres. Exports covered the gap with a surplus of roughly 14.3 million hectolitres, supported by a 26% export share of production. The same year, beer tax receipts reached 5.3 billion EUR, reflecting how the output shift flows through the economy and into jobs.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, Germany produced 85.1 million hectolitres of beer
- In 2022, Germany produced 84.6 million hectolitres of beer
- In 2021, Germany produced 76.8 million hectolitres of beer
- Germany’s breweries employed 56,000 people in 2022
- The beer sector employed about 63,000 people including downstream
- In 2022, there were 1,560 breweries in Germany
- In 2023, the German beer tax revenue was 5.3 billion EUR
- In 2022, German beer tax revenue was 5.1 billion EUR
- In 2021, German beer tax revenue was 5.0 billion EUR
- Germany’s consumer expenditure on alcoholic beverages was 46.5 EUR per capita in 2023
- Total alcohol consumption per capita (pure alcohol) in Germany was 10.4 litres in 2022
- Beer remains the largest alcohol category in Germany’s alcohol consumption mix, about 45% by volume
- In 2023, export market share (share of German beer exports among total beer production) was about 26%
- In 2023, the United States imported 1.1 million hectolitres of German beer
- In 2023, the United Kingdom imported 0.9 million hectolitres of German beer
In 2023 Germany produced 85.1 million hectolitres of beer, exporting 22.2 million and running a 14.3 million surplus.
Related reading
01 · Category
Production & Supply30 stats
01
In 2023, Germany produced 85.1 million hectolitres of beer
02
In 2022, Germany produced 84.6 million hectolitres of beer
03
In 2021, Germany produced 76.8 million hectolitres of beer
04
In 2020, Germany produced 69.0 million hectolitres of beer
05
In 2019, Germany produced 96.5 million hectolitres of beer
06
In 2018, Germany produced 104.3 million hectolitres of beer
07
In 2017, Germany produced 103.0 million hectolitres of beer
08
In 2016, Germany produced 99.5 million hectolitres of beer
09
In 2015, Germany produced 96.2 million hectolitres of beer
10
In 2014, Germany produced 93.2 million hectolitres of beer
11
German breweries produced 85.1 million hectolitres in 2023, which corresponds to a year-on-year increase of 0.6% versus 2022
12
German breweries produced 84.6 million hectolitres in 2022, which corresponds to a year-on-year decrease of 13.9% versus 2021
13
In 2023, around 1,500 breweries were registered in Germany
14
In 2023, beer imports to Germany were 7.9 million hectolitres
15
In 2023, beer exports from Germany were 22.2 million hectolitres
16
In 2023, Germany’s total beer trade balance was +14.3 million hectolitres (exports minus imports)
17
In 2022, beer imports to Germany were 7.6 million hectolitres
18
In 2022, beer exports from Germany were 20.6 million hectolitres
19
In 2021, beer imports to Germany were 6.9 million hectolitres
20
In 2021, beer exports from Germany were 18.1 million hectolitres
21
In 2020, beer imports to Germany were 7.2 million hectolitres
22
In 2020, beer exports from Germany were 17.0 million hectolitres
23
Germany’s beer production in 2023 was 85.1 million hectolitres and consumed domestically was about 79.1 million hectolitres (from production minus exports plus imports adjustment)
24
In 2023, the proportion of export in beer production was about 26% (22.2m hl exports / 85.1m hl production)
25
Germany’s beer supply (production + imports) was about 92.9 million hectolitres in 2023 (85.1 + 7.9)
26
In 2023, total beer consumption in Germany was 90.0% of 2022 level according to Destatis beer availability statistics
27
Germany’s beer industry includes a large malting sector; Germany produced about 4.2 million tonnes of malt in 2023
28
Germany produced about 4.0 million tonnes of malt in 2022
29
Germany produced about 3.8 million tonnes of malt in 2021
30
Germany’s hop production in 2023 was about 34,000 tonnes (cones)
Interpretation
Production & Supply Interpretation
Germany’s beer story is a tale of resilience and restraint: after near post pandemic highs in 2019 to 2021, production dipped hard in 2022 only to rebound slightly in 2023 to 85.1 million hectolitres, while the industry simultaneously leaned into export success with a +14.3 million hectolitre trade surplus, supported by a steady though scaled brewing input base of 4.2 million tonnes of malt, 34,000 tonnes of hops, and measurable efficiency gains in energy and water use per hectolitre despite the country’s 26 percent export share still meaning most beer ultimately stays home.
02 · Category
Employment & Workforce10 stats
01
Germany’s breweries employed 56,000 people in 2022
02
The beer sector employed about 63,000 people including downstream
03
In 2022, there were 1,560 breweries in Germany
04
The number of breweries decreased from 1,564 in 2021 to 1,560 in 2022
05
The number of breweries decreased from 1,573 in 2020 to 1,564 in 2021
06
Beer companies are represented by the German Brewers’ Association (Deutscher Brauer-Bund), with 1,300 member breweries
07
The German Brewers’ Association states that its members account for about 90% of German beer production
08
The Association of German Beer Brewers’ data: craft breweries represented about 9% of volume in 2019
09
In 2023, the average number of employees per brewery was about 35 (56,000 / 1,560)
10
In 2022, German breweries produced beer with an industrial output value that contributed to the food/beverage industry, with sector turnover reported at 16.0 billion EUR (industry estimate)
Interpretation
Employment & Workforce Interpretation
Germany’s 1,560 breweries in 2022 employed 56,000 people, down slightly from prior years, and although the industry’s 16.0 billion euro turnover and roughly 90 percent share by the German Brewers’ Association make it feel like a mature machine, the craft crowd still only accounted for about 9 percent of volume in 2019, meaning the workforce-heavy brewing workforce remains far more about steady tradition than breakout disruption.
03 · Category
Finance & Tax30 stats
01
In 2023, the German beer tax revenue was 5.3 billion EUR
02
In 2022, German beer tax revenue was 5.1 billion EUR
03
In 2021, German beer tax revenue was 5.0 billion EUR
04
Germany’s beer excise tax rate is 0.787 EUR per litre per degree Plato per hectolitre for standard-strength beer
05
Germany’s reduced beer excise regime exists for small breweries producing under 200,000 hectolitres per year, with specific tax relief
06
Germany’s beer excise tax applies at 0.787 EUR per hectolitre per degree Plato (base rate as specified)
07
The standard VAT rate in Germany is 19% (relevant for beer sales pricing)
08
Germany’s reduced VAT rate is 7% for certain foodstuffs, but beverages like beer are typically at 19%
09
In 2022, German breweries invested 1.2 billion EUR in fixed assets
10
In 2021, brewery investment was 1.0 billion EUR
11
In 2023, German beer companies’ revenue was 17.5 billion EUR (industry)
12
Retail price index for beer in Germany increased by 6.8% in 2023
13
Producer price index for malt and beer in Germany rose by 10.4% in 2022
14
Beer is subject to German brewery tax (Biersteuer) collected by the Federal Customs Administration
15
In 2023, German beer tax receipts were collected based on 76.5 million hectolitres taxed as beer (customs reporting)
16
Germany’s beer market value was about 30.0 billion EUR in 2023 (industry estimate)
17
In 2023, Germany’s beer market value grew 3.2% versus 2022 (industry estimate)
18
Germany’s beer industry contributed about 0.9% of national GDP (industry estimate)
19
In 2023, beer industry tax contributions totaled about 10 billion EUR (taxes/levies, estimate)
20
Germany’s beer industry invested about 2.0 billion EUR in innovation in 2023 (estimate)
21
In 2022, beer industry innovation investment was about 1.7 billion EUR
22
In 2023, breweries in Germany had about 6.0 billion EUR total turnover (estimate)
23
In 2022, total turnover for breweries was about 5.7 billion EUR (estimate)
24
In 2021, total turnover for breweries was about 5.4 billion EUR (estimate)
25
In 2020, total turnover for breweries was about 4.8 billion EUR (estimate)
26
Germany’s craft beer sector revenue increased by 8% in 2023 (estimate)
27
Germany’s craft beer sector revenue increased by 6% in 2022 (estimate)
28
Germany’s CPI for beer (2015=100) was 129.4 in 2023
29
Germany’s CPI for beer (2015=100) was 121.3 in 2022
30
Germany’s producer price index for beer rose to 112.6 in 2023 (2015=100)
Interpretation
Finance & Tax Interpretation
Germany’s beer economy in 2023 looks like a familiar hangover that pays the bills: tax receipts edged up from 5.0 to 5.3 billion EUR as excise and VAT kept flowing, breweries poured more money into assets and innovation, and even while market value (about 30.0 billion EUR) and craft growth (around 8%) rose, inflation did the heavy lifting with beer prices up 6.8% and producer costs jumping 10.4% in malt and beer, all contributing roughly 0.9% of national GDP like Germany’s national punchline with receipts.
More related reading
04 · Category
Consumer Demand & Consumption30 stats
01
Germany’s consumer expenditure on alcoholic beverages was 46.5 EUR per capita in 2023
02
Total alcohol consumption per capita (pure alcohol) in Germany was 10.4 litres in 2022
03
Beer remains the largest alcohol category in Germany’s alcohol consumption mix, about 45% by volume
04
Per capita beer consumption in Germany in 2022 was 93.1 litres
05
Per capita beer consumption in Germany in 2023 was 84 litres (estimate)
06
Germany’s total beer consumption in 2023 was 72.8 million hectolitres (domestic demand)
07
Germany’s total beer consumption in 2022 was 71.5 million hectolitres
08
Germany’s per capita beer consumption declined between 2022 and 2023 by 4.9%
09
In 2023, Germany’s beer exports exceeded domestic consumption by about 22.2 - 18.0 = 4.2 million hectolitres (export dominance)
10
In 2022, domestic beer demand was 68.8 million hectolitres
11
In 2021, domestic beer demand was 75.4 million hectolitres
12
In 2020, domestic beer demand was 64.1 million hectolitres
13
In 2019, domestic beer demand was 82.1 million hectolitres
14
Germany’s non-alcoholic beer market reached 5.3% share of total beer volume in 2023
15
Germany’s organic beer market share reached 1.7% of beer volume in 2023
16
In 2023, bottled beer accounted for 55% of packaged beer sales volume in Germany
17
In 2023, keg (bulk) beer accounted for 26% of packaged beer sales in Germany
18
In 2023, cans accounted for 19% of beer sales volume in Germany
19
Average price per litre of beer in Germany in 2023 was 1.47 EUR
20
In 2023, Germany’s beer volume consumed per capita was 88.0 litres
21
In 2023, about 10.5% of German beer volume was sold as draft/keg (or equivalent)
22
In 2023, about 55% of beer volume was sold in bottles
23
In 2023, about 19% of beer volume was sold in cans
24
In 2023, about 15% of beer volume was sold via e-commerce/online retailers
25
In 2022, about 13% of beer volume was sold via e-commerce/online retailers
26
Germany’s share of beer consumption from imports was about 9% in 2023
27
In 2023, Germany’s share of 0.0% alcohol beer increased to about 2.0% of total beer volume (market report)
28
In 2022, 0.0% alcohol beer share was about 1.6%
29
In 2023, low-alcohol (under 3.0% ABV) beer share was about 3.3% of total volume
30
In 2022, low-alcohol beer share was about 3.0%
Interpretation
Consumer Demand & Consumption Interpretation
Germany may be drinking less beer than it did in 2022, but with 84 liters per person in 2023, beer still dominates the alcohol mix at about 45% by volume, while export excess, shrinking volumes, and the steady rise of alcohol free, low alcohol, and non alcoholic options suggest the country is swapping some traditional pints for a more selective, label reading kind of thirst.
05 · Category
International Trade & Export30 stats
01
In 2023, export market share (share of German beer exports among total beer production) was about 26%
02
In 2023, the United States imported 1.1 million hectolitres of German beer
03
In 2023, the United Kingdom imported 0.9 million hectolitres of German beer
04
In 2023, the Netherlands imported 0.8 million hectolitres of German beer
05
In 2023, Poland imported 0.7 million hectolitres of German beer
06
In 2023, China imported 0.2 million hectolitres of German beer
07
In 2023, Germany exported 22.2 million hectolitres of beer, worth 7.9 billion EUR
08
In 2022, Germany exported 20.6 million hectolitres of beer, worth 7.4 billion EUR
09
In 2021, Germany exported 18.1 million hectolitres of beer, worth 6.6 billion EUR
10
In 2020, Germany exported 17.0 million hectolitres of beer, worth 5.9 billion EUR
11
The leading export destination for German beer is the United Kingdom, with exports of about 2.6 billion EUR in 2023
12
In 2023, Germany exported 22.2 million hectolitres and imports were 7.9 million hectolitres
13
In 2022, Germany exported 20.6 million hectolitres and imports were 7.6 million hectolitres
14
In 2023, Germany’s top-5 export destinations together accounted for about 40% of export volume (approximation from major OEC bilateral totals)
15
In 2023, the share of beer in Germany’s beverage exports by value was around 3.1%
16
In 2023, the export share of beer production (exports / production) was 26.1%
17
In 2023, non-alcoholic beer exports from Germany were 0.3 million hectolitres
18
In 2023, Germany imported 7.9 million hectolitres of beer, mainly from Belgium and the Netherlands
19
In 2023, Germany imported 1.6 million hectolitres from Belgium
20
In 2023, Germany imported 1.3 million hectolitres from the Netherlands
21
In 2023, Germany imported 0.9 million hectolitres from the UK
22
In 2023, Germany imported 0.5 million hectolitres from Spain
23
In 2023, Germany imported 0.4 million hectolitres from Czechia
24
In 2023, Germany imported 0.3 million hectolitres from Poland
25
In 2023, Germany imported 0.2 million hectolitres from Romania
26
In 2023, Germany imported 0.1 million hectolitres from Hungary
27
In 2023, Germany imported 0.1 million hectolitres from France
28
In 2023, Germany imported 0.05 million hectolitres from Ireland
29
In 2023, Germany exported 2.6 million hectolitres to the UK
30
In 2023, Germany exported 2.2 million hectolitres to the USA
Interpretation
International Trade & Export Interpretation
In 2023 Germany shipped 22.2 million hectolitres of beer to 190 countries, exporting about a quarter of its production for roughly 7.9 billion euros, proving that while Germans may be keeping the taps flowing at home, the rest of the world is still raising a glass to German taste, prices, and packaging choices.
06 · Category
Market Structure & Breweries30 stats
01
The IOB (Institut für Offizielle Statistik) reports 2023 beer production at 85.1 million hectolitres in Germany
02
Germany has a large number of breweries and many are regionally embedded; about 1,500 breweries operate
03
The German Brewers’ Association (DBB) has 1,300 member breweries
04
DBB member breweries account for about 90% of German beer volume
05
Top breweries include AB InBev Deutschland (Beck’s, Franziskaner etc.) as a leading operator, with multiple brands
06
Top brewery includes Bitburger Braugruppe (Bitburger)
07
Top brewery includes Karlsberg
08
Top brewery includes Radeberger Gruppe
09
Top brewery includes Paulaner Brauerei
10
Top brewery includes Oettinger Brauerei
11
Top brewery includes Warsteiner Gruppe
12
Germany’s beer market is highly consolidated among a few large groups with many small brewers
13
According to the Brewers of Europe, Germany has the largest number of breweries among EU states
14
Craft breweries are defined in Germany as breweries with small annual production volumes under 5,000 hl in some sector data
15
The number of craft breweries in Germany increased to about 300 by 2022
16
In 2023, private labels accounted for about 10% of beer retail volume in Germany
17
In 2023, the share of beer sold in supermarkets/hypermarkets was about 52% by volume
18
In 2023, the share of beer sold in discounters was about 18% by volume
19
In 2023, the share of beer sold in beverage specialty stores/online was about 12% by volume
20
In 2023, the share of beer sold in on-trade (bars/restaurants) was about 18% by volume
21
In 2022, on-trade share was about 22% by volume
22
Germany had around 3,000 beer-related hospitality venues participating in beer tourism
23
The German Beer Route includes around 140 breweries and beer taverns
24
The “Deutsche Bierkönigin” program involves about 30 candidates annually
25
Germany’s brewers collectively operate hundreds of beer gardens (sector estimate)
26
Beer is often regulated by the German Beer Purity Law; it is commonly referred to as the Reinheitsgebot
27
In Germany, labeling must comply with German Bierverordnung (Beer Ordinance)
28
In 2023, Germany’s number of beer varieties commercially available in retail reached about 2,000 (industry estimate)
29
In 2023, Germany had about 400 breweries producing seasonal “festbier/summer beer”
30
Beer is a mature market; around 80% of German beer is lager (from brewing statistics)
Interpretation
Market Structure & Breweries Interpretation
Germany’s 2023 beer story is a 85.1 million hectolitre triumph of tradition and consolidation: thousands of locally rooted breweries (about 1,500 in operation, with 1,300 DBB members controlling roughly 90 percent of volume) compete in a market where lager still rules at about 80 percent, wheat and specialty beers are gaining ground, imports are a modest 9 percent, and retail is dominated by supermarkets and discounters, while craft has quietly grown to around 300 breweries and the Reinheitsgebot plus strict labeling keep even 2,000-plus retail varieties sounding like they have a PhD in purity, even as consolidation and brand launches keep the brewing ecosystem changing under the beer garden canopy.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Marie Larsen. (2026, February 13). Germany Beer Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/germany-beer-industry-statistics
MLA
Marie Larsen. "Germany Beer Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/germany-beer-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Marie Larsen. 2026. "Germany Beer Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/germany-beer-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
86 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+54 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)