These are the 20 largest beer producers in the world (2023)

Although it is virtually impossible to confirm, beer is believed to be the oldest alcoholic beverage in history. Today,Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage.worldwide and is the second most popular drink after tea.

There are over a hundred different ways to brew beer., and some countries became famous for their variations of the drink. For example,Belgiumis known for Witbier, a traditional Belgian wheat beer, while Britain is better known for its lager beers. While certain regions are known for specific styles of brewing, brewers around the world produce a variety of styles to meet the demand of beer lovers.

The country that produces the most beer in the world

According to BarthHaas, a German hop trader responsible for 30% of the market share, China was the world's largest beer producer in 2020, followed by the United States in second place and Brazil in third place.

Read on to find out which countries produced the most beer in 2020.

Top 20 Beer Producing Countries

Information on the main beer-producing countries in the world

Porcelain

Chinese archaeologists estimate that beer was first brewed in China around 7,000 to 9,000 years ago, using rice as the grain of choice. while modern brewing using barley and hops only began in the early 20th century.Hoy, China produces more beer than any other country in the world, with annual production increasing by three to five percent per year. The Chinese beer market is now dominated by seven major brewing groups, most of which have partnered with major foreign brewers to improve their access to new techniques and new markets. In 2020, China produced 341.1 million hectoliters of beer, equivalent to approximately 286 million barrels.

The United States

Americans love beer-- That is not a secret. In fact, in 2020, American drinkers of legal drinking age consumed 26 gallons of beer per person for the entire year. American beer production is dominated by AB InBev, which makes recognizable bottlesBudweisermiCorona, as well as Molson Coors, the producers ofblue Moon,color lightand MillerLite. Craft beer is also very popular in the United States, and the number of craft breweriesincreased exponentiallyin the last 10 years. In 2020, Americans produced 211,166,000 hectoliters of beer, which is equivalent to more than 177 million barrels.

Brazil

oImportance of the beer sector for the Brazilian economyit is growing rapidly and in 2019 the Brazilian Ministry of Livestock and Supply established the Chamber of the Beer Sector to support the sector. Thanks to the increasingly globalized world we live in, Brazilians have been able to experience new brands and flavors from international brewers, boosting the country's beer industry. In 1999, there were only 33 microbreweries in Brazil; by 2019, that number had risen to 1,209. In 2020, Brazil produced 151.9 million hectoliters of beer, equivalent to more than 127 million barrels.

Mexico

The first beer is said to have been brewed in Mexico in 1544. Today, the brewing industry accounts for around 30% of the country's total gross production.beverage industry in mexico, one of the most important economic factors. In addition, Mexico is the world's largest beer exporter and almost half of the beer produced in the country is exported internationally. The country produced 126.9 million hectoliters of beer in 2020, or more than 106 million barrels.

Germany

Undoubtedly, Germany has one of theoldest continuous brewing culturesin the world and has been the leader in beer production in the European Union for years. It's no surprise that German beers are so well known, especially with annual festivals like Oktoberfest and the Spring Festival attracting millions of beer lovers from around the world. Today, Germany produces more than 20% of all beers in the EU, with pilsner and wheat beer being the most popular. Germany produced 87,027,000 hectoliters of beer in 2020, almost 73 million barrels.

Russia

Beer is the second most popular drink in Russia after vodka and is often the drink of choice for many Russians during the summer months and at sporting events and barbecues. In Russia it's beerdifferently categorizedthan we are used to in the United States; Instead of classifying beers by their type, for example, pilsner, wheat beer, or lager, Russians classify their beers by the colors present: light, red, semi-dark, or dark. The country produced 79.5 million hectoliters of beer, equivalent to more than 66 million barrels.

Japan

Japan's Great Beer Breakit did not appear until the late 19th century when an American opened the Japan Brewery in Yokohama in 1869 to sell beer primarily to foreign business travelers. Throughout the remainder of the 19th century, more Japanese-owned breweries opened, and by 1900, domestic beer production was in full swing. Today, Japan's beer culture includes beers ranging from craft beers to low-malt beers called Happo-Shu, which are very popular in the country. Happo-shu is unique to Japan due to its low malt content (typically 25% or less), which is a major factor in the cost of the drink. Beer taxes in Japan are around $2.50 per pint, so a typical six-pack costs upwards of $15. However, Happo-Shu can contain up to 65% malt before it is classified as a beer, which means it is much cheaper in cost. A six-pack costs about $8. In 2020, Japan produced more than 46 million hectoliters of beer, which is equivalent to million barrels.

Vietnam

According to a survey conducted byInstitute of Population and Social Affairs, the second most popular alcoholic beverage in Vietnam is beer.From 2005 to 2019the Vietnamese beer market has nearly tripled in terms of average annual production. Sabeco and Habeco, two of Vietnam's leading breweries, account for more than 50% of the beer industry's market share and dominate the economy and mid-range sectors of the industry. The country produced 40 million hectoliters of beer in 2020, or more than 33 million barrels.

Poland

Poland is responsible for 12% of all beers produced in the European Union, making it the second largest beer producer in the EU. Director of the Association of Employers of the Brewing Industry Browary Polskie Bartłomiej Moryzyckiconditions, “Poland experienced a beer revolution, going from a vodka country to a beer country”. Today there are more than 310 breweries in the country and the industry as a whole provides more than 9,000 jobs nationwide. In 2020, the Poles produced more than 38 million hectoliters of beer, with a total of more than 32 million barrels.

spain

first cluesBeer production in Spainwas discovered by archaeologists from the University of Barcelona who found remains of malt and beer still attached to the mill wheels in a cave in Begues, Barcelona. TOkey factorsof the Spanish beer industry is a growing interest in craft beer. Spain is the largest producer of craft beer in the European Union after Germany, Great Britain and Poland. Furthermore, Spain's success in the beer industry may be due to the fact that more than 90% of all beers consumed in Spain are domestically produced, making it increasingly difficult for foreign producers to penetrate the Spanish market. In 2020, the country produced more than 34.7 million hectoliters of beer, about 29 million barrels.

or UK

Widely considered one of theTop Beer and Drinking Nations, the United Kingdom remains stagnant in its traditional production of beer. Unsurprisingly, the classic pub is behind the success of the country's brewing industry. Beer is popular across Britain, with London known for its historic pubs and trendy craft breweries, but not unique in its claim to the industry: Derby and Sheffield are now fighting for the right to claim their city has more beer. on tap. and Edinburgh's craft beer industry is on the rise. In 2020, the UK produced more than 32 million hectoliters of beer, for a total of more than 27 million barrels.

South Africa

Beer production in South AfricaIt is largely dominated by South African Breweries (SAB), a subsidiary of AB InBev, which accounts for around 88 percent of the beer produced in the country. While SAB retains a near monopoly over beer production in the country, the craft beer market has accelerated in recent years with 220 craft breweries opening. These craft brewers use local ingredients and the drinking culture of South Africa to create their independent beers. In 2020, South African breweries produced 26 million hectoliters of beer, more than 21 million barrels.

Colombia

colombian beerIt is known for its tasty and refreshing properties, necessary to relax after a hot sunny day. Two of the most popular breweries in the country are Aguila and Bavaria, the Colombian subsidiary of AB In-Bev. In 2020, the country produced more than 23 million hectoliters of beer, about 20 million barrels in total.

Belgium

WhileBelgiumThe country, which ranks 14th in terms of beer production, produces ten times more beer per capita than the world average. In addition, Belgium is characterized by the production of diverse and versatile beers. More than two-thirds of Belgium's beers are approved for export, allowing many small independent breweries to thrive in the country. Belgium produced 23.4 million hectoliters of beer in 2020, almost 20 million barrels.

Have

Brewing in CanadaIt began with the first settlers and traders in New France, who did so out of necessity, not pleasure. Back then, the region's milk and water were unfit to drink, full of dangerous microorganisms and bacteria that often made settlers seriously ill. However, the long boiling time involved in brewing killed the bacteria and left something drinkable. Today, beer is no longer necessarily brewed in Canada and the brewing industry is dominated by two national breweries, Labatt and Molson. The brewing industry contributes significantly to Canada's tax revenue, generating more than $5.7 billion for federal, provincial and local governments in 2017. Canada produced 22.6 million hectoliters of beer in 2020, for a total of about 19 million barrels .

The Netherlands

The most popular beer brewed in the Netherlands is undoubtedly Heineken. Pilsner is exported to countries around the world and its iconic green bottle has become a trademark of the Dutch brewery. Pilsner as a whole accounts for more than 90% of all beers sold in the Netherlands, but craft brewing has arise in popularityto no less than 60 different styles. The country produced more than 22 million hectoliters of beer in 2020, just over 18 million barrels.

France

When someone thinks of alcohol and France, the first thing that probably comes to mind are wines from famous regions like Bordeaux and Champagne. However, beer is bothconsumed and enjoyed throughout the country, particularly in northern regions such as Nord-Pas de Calais and Alsace-Lorraine, which border Belgium and Germany. Nord-Pas de Calais is more popular than any other French brewery for producing a wide range of specialty beers. French beers tend to be lower in alcohol than those brewed in other countries and tend to prefer malty flavors. France produced 20.7 hectoliters of beer in 2020, equivalent to more than 17 million barrels.

Czech Republic

pilsner house, whichThe Czech Republic is arguably one of the most important countries in the history of modern beer.. The region has been producing beer since the Middle Ages, and today most of the beers sold in the country are light beers. The country also produces half a million tons of malt and grows about 7,000 tons of hops a year. Although the Czech Republic has approximately 125 breweries, options in the country can be limited as the dominant Czech brewery, Budvar, is state-owned. In 2020, the Czech Republic produced 20,122,000 hectoliters of beer, almost 17 million barrels.

thailand

Beer production in ThailandIt is dominated by two family-owned corporate giants, Boonrawd Brewery and Thaibev, both of which hold more than 90% of the market share. To protect these beverage giants, the Thai government passed a law banning homebrewing in 1950; the law also states that beer can only be made in factories that produce more than a million liters a year. Persons who violate this law may be subject to arrest, police raids and/or fines. The country produced more than 20 million hectoliters of beer in 2020, for a total of more than 16 million barrels.

South Korea

The brewing industry in South Koreais dominated by two local breweries, Oriental Brewery Company, a subsidiary of AB InBev, and HiteJinro Co. Although the industry is dominated by these two brands, microbreweries remain popular across the country, with the number of breweries increasing from 61 per anus. to 133 in 2018 in 2014. The country produced 19 million hectoliters of beer in 2020, almost 16 million barrels.