A historic turn in the Czech Republic. The beer empire is crumbling

The consumption of traditional beer in the Czech Republic is at a historically low level, while the production and consumption of non-alcoholic beer is increasing, the daily “Mlada Fronta DNES” wrote on Wednesday. The statistical data are impressive anyway – in the Czech Republic, on average, 121 liters of beer are drunk per person.

According to statistics from the Czech Association of Breweries and Malt Houses, beer production in the Czech Republic decreased in 2025. by 4.3 percent, to 19.96 million hectoliters. Consumption dropped by 3.2% during this time, which means that the average Czech drank 4 liters of beer less than a year earlier.

“The decline in beer consumption is felt not only by us, but also by other brewing associations across Europe. For example, Slovaks and Germans, who are key countries for Czech beer exports, drink less beer than before, which has a significant impact on our exports,” the newspaper quoted the association's executive director, Tomasz Sluneczka.

According to data from this organization Sales of non-alcoholic beer, including flavored varieties, are growing in the Czech Republic. Last year, 1.68 million hectoliters were produced, 4%. more than a year earlier. Over the last 10 years, the consumption of such drinks has more than doubled. 60% of people drink non-alcoholic beer regularly. Czechs who use them in the summer or when they have to use a car.

The difference between beer consumption in catering establishments, inns and pubs and consumption at home has also increased. In 2025, 28 percent consumed in the Czech Republic was on premises (1 percentage point less than a year earlier).

“In recent years, Czechs have been putting more emphasis on moderation, they are more likely to lead a healthy lifestyle, and when they go out for a beer, they are interested in the diversity of the offer, and above all, quality, not quantity,” added Sluneczko.

Quoted by “Mlada Fronta DNES”, a representative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Jindrzich Fialka, performing the newly created position of food spokesman (potravinovy ​​ombudsman), said that the picture emerging from the statistics is not that bad at all. He pointed out that the trend of declining consumption of alcoholic beverages is visible throughout the European Union, especially in the case of spirits and wine. “However, our brewing industry is doing best,” the spokesman noted.

From Prague Piotr Górecki (PAP)

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