What European country produced the most beer in 2023?

Germany maintained its position as the top beer producer in the European Union in 2023, producing some 7.2 billion litres, or more than a fifth (22.3%) of total EU production.

Other countries that produced a significant amount of beer included Spain (4 billion litres, 12.4% of total EU production), Poland (3.5 billion litres, 10.8%), the Netherlands (2.4 billion litres, 7.5%) and Belgium (2.0 billion litres, 6.3%).

In total, EU countries produced 32.5 billion litres of alcoholic beer and 1.8 billion litres of low- or non-alcoholic beer last year, a total of 34.3 billion litres, according to Eurostat.

The production of alcoholic beer was down 5% on the previous year, while non-alcoholic beer production rose by 13.5% on 2022, it added.

Beer exports and imports

In addition, the Netherlands – the home of Heineken – was the top exporter of beer (containing alcohol) in 2023, importing a total of 1.8 billion litres, ahead of Germany and Belgium, which both exported 1.4 billion litres and Czechia and Ireland, which both exported 0.5 billion litres.

In terms of imports, France was the largest importer of beer in the European Union, importing some 0.9 billion litres, or 17.1% of total EU imports.

Italy followed with over 0.7 billion litres, while Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany each imported nearly 0.6 billion litres.

Beer (alcoholic) production by EU country, litres (2023)