Craft Beer In France

The Summer Olympics have turned the eyes of the world to France, a country renowned for its wine and its wine culture. When you think France, craft beer clearly isn’t the first thing that comes to mind, but increasingly, maybe it should.

Historically, France’s beer market was, and remains, dominated by mass-produced lagers. And surprisingly is home to the highest number of breweries in Europe. But historically beer has long been considered a secondary beverage in France, overshadowed by the nation’s world-renowned wines.

However, the craft beer revolution, which began in the United States in the 1980s, gradually made its way to Europe and eventually to France in the early 2000s. Understandably, France was later to the craft beer game than beer-rich cultures like Belgium, and most certainly the UK, but it quietly made up for lost time.

The number of microbreweries in France has surged in recent years. According to the French Brewers Association, there were fewer than 200 breweries in France in 2010.

By 2020, this number had grown to over 1,600, explosive growth that also reflects a broader European trend towards locally-produced, high-quality beverages.

Factors Driving Craft Beer In France

Several factors have contributed to the rise of craft beer in France, factors not all that different from those that drove its emergence the US and the UK.

But keep in mind, both the US and the UK have a deep history with beer, France much less so…

Consumer Preferences: Modern consumers, particularly millennials, have shown a preference for unique and high-quality products. Craft beers, with their diverse range of flavors and brewing techniques, catered to this demand.

Localism: Many French consumers are drawn to craft breweries because they often use locally-sourced ingredients and contribute to the local economy.

Culinary Integration: Craft beers have found their place in the gastronomic landscape of France and that can’t be minimized. Chefs and restaurants are increasingly pairing craft beers with French gourmet dishes as an alternative to wine.

Tourism: Just as in the US the rise of beer tourism has also played a role. Regions known for their craft breweries attract beer tourists, similar to wine tourism.

Craft Beer Regions in France

Certain regions in France have become notable hubs for craft beer production:

• Alsace: Alsace is a cultural region and a territorial collectivity in eastern France, on the west bank of the upper Rhine next to Germany and Switzerland. And maybe its location explains  why it is  home to many of France’s largest breweries, as well as a growing number of microbreweries.
• Brittany: Brittany is a peninsula, historical country and cultural area in the north-west of modern France, covering the western part of what was known as Armorica . This region has seen a significant rise in craft breweries, many of which draw inspiration from local Celtic culture and traditions as well as its proximity to the UK, which lies across the English Channel
• Paris: The capital city, home to the 2024 Summer Olympics,  boasts a vibrant craft beer scene with numerous microbreweries and craft beer bars.

(Courtesy 3 Monts)

French Craft Beer in 2024

Post-covid craft beer in France has been beset by the same problems as in the US and UK. Inflation has taken a toll and its explosive growth has slowed considerably. But craft beer in France  has found its own unique place, a place that celebrates the Farm-Style Saisons of its rural past much more so than the more American, Hazy IPA.

“To the French people 15 years ago, beer was a product for poor people, 3 Monts fourth-generation owner Pierre Marchica told VinePair. “But everything has changed. Now, people in France are beginning to love beer and allow it a space on the table.”

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