International Days

International Beer Day: an overview of the market

International Beer Day is an annual celebration that takes place on the first Friday of August. It is a global event dedicated to appreciating and enjoying the culture of beer and those who brew and serve it. The day aims to bring people together to enjoy the diverse range of beers from various countries and cultures and to promote friendship, camaraderie, and socializing over this popular alcoholic beverage.

The celebration of International Beer Day began in 2007 when a group of friends in Santa Cruz, California, decided to create a holiday to gather and celebrate their mutual love for beer. It has since grown into an international phenomenon, with people from different parts of the world participating in beer-related events, tastings, brewery tours, and gatherings.

On International Beer Day, beer enthusiasts often raise a toast to the brewers and other individuals involved in the beer-making process. It is also a day to explore and appreciate different beer styles, try out new and unique brews, and engage in responsible drinking practices. The day is not only about indulging in beer but also emphasizes responsible consumption, awareness of alcohol-related issues, and the appreciation of the social and cultural aspects of beer around the world.

A look at the Market

In 2021, several countries stood out as major exporters of beer made from malt. Mexico led the pack with a significant export value of $5,015,653.34 billion and a volume of 3,635,010,000 liters. Following closely were the Netherlands, exporting beer worth $2,166,034.31 billion and a volume of 1,858,340,000 liters. Belgium also played a significant role in the beer export market with $1,962,862.46 billion in value and 1,687,420,000 liters exported. Lastly, Germany contributed substantially, exporting beer worth $1,402,045.35 billion, equivalent to 1,587,550,000 liters.

Beer consumption per capita refers to the average amount of beer consumed by an individual within a specific country or region over a given period, usually measured in liters per year. Beer consumption per capita can vary significantly from one country to another due to cultural, social, economic, and regulatory factors. Some countries, particularly in Europe, have a long-standing beer-drinking tradition and tend to have higher beer consumption per capita. For example, countries like the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria are known for their beer culture and have relatively high levels of beer consumption. Indeed, Czechia is the world’s country where beer consumption registered the highest data with almost 150 liters consumed per person, followed by Romania and Austria. Although Mexico is by far the largest beer producer and exporter in the world, it does not feature in the top countries per beer consumption.

On the other hand, countries with cultural or religious restrictions on alcohol consumption may have lower beer consumption per capita. Additionally, economic factors such as affordability and availability of beer can also influence consumption levels.

In 2021, Beer ranked as the 246th most traded product globally, with a total trade value of $16.8 billion. The exports of Beer witnessed an 8.21% growth between 2020 and 2021, increasing from $15.5 billion to $16.8 billion. Beer trade accounted for approximately 0.08% of the total world trade.