Young Germans enjoy alcohol -free beer with low breast sales

The Germans drink less and less beer, but non -alcoholic varieties are more popular than ever.

The Federal Statistics Office in Germany says that non -alcohol sales have multiplied more than twice in recent years – an increase of 109 % since 2013 – although beer sales are wider in their lowest level in more than 30 years.

For the first time, they decreased less than 4 billion liters in half a year.

German beer sales decreased by 6.3 % – or 262 million liters – to about 3.9 billion liters in the first half of 2025, compared to the same period last year.

Erdinger Brewery, near Munich of beer since the eighties of the nineteenth century, says, CEO, Stephen Krisz, says that drinking habits change and these days are about a quarter of their non -alcohol.

“We need to find a way to make beer, even if it is not alcoholic and attractive to young people.

“You need to understand the ways they meet and the ways they pack together. There is no algorithm that tells you that you need a beer now.”

Stefan Krisz still sees that the German beer culture is flexible, and at the present time, his alcohol -free beer encourages alcohol in sporting events, as a natural alternative to energy drinks.

At Kosmos Café in Munich, Barman Louis Von Tucher says that many of his customers are more aware of health.

“In the first decade of the twentieth century, I remember that the people who were postponed if I told them may have a cup of water … and they will really feel insulted.”

Now, however, discover the change.

“Everyone is more aware of their consumption. I think most people are still drinking alcohol, but they do so with more awareness and have alcohol -free drinks between them.”

However, Lewis says that the full beer will not disappear.

“It is a simple shift,” he said. “

At the Popular Sandaroa Festival in the town of Bamburg in northern Bavaria, the tradition of drinking alcoholic beer in Germany is alive and in good health.

During the five -day celebration, the bamberg streets are filled with musicians, sausages and endless beer stalls in huge trade.

In Sandstrasse in the old city, Pascal had a beer with a friend.

“The beer is very important for the city and we have a lot of beer factories here,” he said.

“People come here for beer and the festival. I cannot imagine that beer consumption here in Bamberg is less than before.”

Magdalina, who stands outside the beer park.

“I look around, and everyone has a cup of beer in their hands. So I think, especially in this part of Germany, that beer is just a huge part of daily life, although it is not healthy. We all know that.”

“I feel, especially in my generation, people tend to drink less daily, but it is still Germany, still Bavaria.”