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The marriage between Germans and their beer appears to be heading towards a divorce. We’ve that, “Words to Drink By” with Charles Darwin, and more…
Beer Sales Continue, Long, Slow Decline In Germany
Few countries are associated with beer as Germany. It’s home to the oldest and largest Oktoberfest celebration in the world and most of today’s mainstream lager recipes and beer styles can be traced back to Germanic regions.
But, no matter its heritage, beer sales are sliding in Germany, and it’s a long, slow decline.
According to Fortune, German beer sales dropped 4.5% last year, resuming its long-term downward trend. “In 2022, beer sales increased 2.7% thanks to a recovery in demand at home and in the EU following the end of COVID-19 restrictions. But demand in both markets was lower again in 2023.”
Although the latest numbers don’t include non-alcoholic beer and beer imported from outside the European Union, beer sales inside Germany, which makes up more than four-fifths of the total count, dropped 4.2% to 1.8 billion gallons.
Reflecting a growing migration away from beer due to health concerns or other reasons, Germany’s Federal Statistical Office noted that last year’s sales were 11.3% lower than in 2013 and 25.3% lower than in 1993.
Words to Drink By
“‘It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” Charles Darwin, English naturalist, geologist and biologist
Homebrew Con 2024 Canceled
It’s hard not to think that the cancellation of the annual gathering, Homebrew Con, isn’t worrisome. It’s the American Homebrewer Association’s biggest and most important event, generating money for the AHA and bringing the nation’s homebrewers together.
This from the AHA’s February 15th announcement…
Homebrew Con is taking a break in 2024 to reimagine the event. We aim to honor traditions, keep expenses affordable, and come back to the roots of the AHA.
The Great American Beer Festival was introduced by the AHA in 1982 and will be a central part of the 2024 gathering, highlighting the ongoing contributions of AHA members to the world of beer.
For 2025, stay tuned for full details and sign up for the AHA Newsletter.
On February 14th, the Boulder, Co-based Brewers Association, which sponsors the AHA, released its 2023 Annual Report. And in it, BA president and CEO Bob Pease acknowledged that 2023 was “challenging for many small and independent brewers” and added that the craft beer advocacy organization’s revenue declined -2% last year.
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