Beer consumption in the Czech Republic fell to a “historic” low last year, pulling down brewery output and exports.
Domestic breweries produced 19.96 million hectolitres in 2025, down 4.3% year on year, according to the Czech Association of Breweries and Malteries
That was 894,000 hectolitres less than in 2024 and 1.6 million hectolitres below 2019 levels, the trade body said. In a statement, Tomáš Slunečko, the association’s executive director, said: “Compared to the pre-Covid year, 320 million fewer half litres of Czech beer were drunk last year in the Czech Republic and abroad. Only 2021 was weaker in the last ten years but it was affected by the pandemic.” Domestic consumption fell 3.2% to a “historic” low of 121 litres per capita, with the average Czech drinking eight fewer large beers than a year earlier, the association said.
Exports, which accounted for more than a quarter of total output, dropped 8.2% after reaching a record in 2024. “Not only we, but also other brewery associations across Europe are noticing the declining beer consumption,” Slunečko said. “For example, Slovaks or Germans, which are key countries for the export of Czech beer, also drink less beer than before, and this has a significant impact on our exports.” Slunečko said the shift reflects changing consumer habits, with drinkers opting for moderation, healthier lifestyles and a broader range of higher-quality beers. The production of non-alcoholic beer, including flavoured variants, rose 4% to 1.68 million hectolitres. Domestic consumption has more than doubled over the past decade, the association said.