Breweries in Germany are closing due to a drop in demand for beer
The number of breweries in Germany is declining amid falling beer consumption. In 2025, there were 1,415 breweries left in the country—9% fewer than six years ago—and demand for beer continues to fall, especially among the younger generation.
In 2025, there were 1,415 breweries operating in Germany—a 9% decrease from 2019, according to the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden. Beer producers are facing a steady decline in demand for their products.
The number of breweries in Germany is declining. In 2019, there were 1,552 breweries in the country—the highest figure in three decades. By 2025, that number had fallen to 1,415, representing a decline of nearly 9%, the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden reported on Tuesday, August 4, ahead of International Beer Day, which is celebrated on August 7.
Declining demand for beer, particularly among young people
In the past year alone, the number of German breweries has fallen by 53, with the decline continuing for the third consecutive year. “This trend is likely due to a decline in beer sales,” the statistical office noted.
In 2025, German beer producers sold approximately 7.8 billion liters of beer, which is 6% less than the previous year and 15.7% less than in 2019.
"The German brewing industry is going through a difficult economic period," said Holger Eichele, head of the German Brewers’ Association.
According to him, brewers are facing not so much a short-term drop in demand as structural changes. Companies are being negatively affected by consistently low consumer sentiment caused by economic and political uncertainty, as well as demographic trends.
“Breweries are noticing that young people, on average, consume less alcohol than previous generations,” explained Eichele.
Although demand for non-alcoholic beer is growing, it cannot offset the decline in sales of traditional beer.
More than a third of German breweries are located in Bavaria
Among Germany’s 16 federal states, Bavaria has the most breweries—588, according to 2025 data. Next are Baden-Württemberg (190) and North Rhine-Westphalia (131).
More than half of German breweries are small businesses that produce no more than 100,000 liters of beer per year.
Eight companies fall into the category of large brewing companies, with an annual production volume of at least 200 million liters of beer.
This was reported by DW.
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