Beer Surpasses Wine in France: What It Tells Us About the Future of Drinking
For the first time in modern history, more beer is consumed than wine in France. In 2025, according to data from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) and Brasseurs de France, beer consumption reached 22.1 million hectoliters, compared to 22 million hectoliters of wine. A difference of just 100,000 hectoliters — but enough to mark a historic shift that until a few years ago would have seemed impossible.
Source: Gambero Rosso, article by Marzio Taccetti, May 25, 2026.
More Beer, Less Wine
Beer consumption increased by 12% in the last year. A clear sign of how the market is shifting towards lighter, less demanding drinks that better fit irregular and informal drinking habits.
For French wine, this overtaking comes at a complex time. Production remains central — in 2025 France was the world’s second-largest producer with 35.9 million hectoliters, behind Italy’s 47.3 million — but consumers no longer have the same relationship with the bottle.
Wine Is No Longer the Centerpiece of the Table
Wine consumption has dropped to its lowest levels in decades: -3.2% compared to 2024 and -7.2% compared to the average of the last five years. Several factors weigh in: the cost of living, changing eating habits (fewer structured meals, more quick and individual consumption), and a new generation that drinks less alcohol and chooses products less culturally codified.
Beer fits more easily into this context: immediate access, generally lower price, lower alcohol content. This paints a picture of France — and more broadly Europe — drinking less, but drinking differently.
What This Means for Craft Beer
While industrial beer gains ground for price and convenience, craft beer meets a different need: those who want to drink less but better. Those who choose craft beer aren’t looking for just any drink — they seek an experience, a story, a character.
That’s exactly what you find in our catalog. Here are some of the most loved beers by our customers, perfect for those who want to discover (or rediscover) the pleasure of mindful drinking:
- Amen — One of our bestsellers. Bold character, perfect balance. For those who won’t compromise.
- Mezzo Fatto — Light, easy to drink, ideal for any occasion. The craft beer that even skeptics enjoy.
- Chain Breaker – Birrificio Impavida — An IPA that breaks the mold. Hoppy, aromatic, memorable.
- Alice 2.0 — Fresh, fruity, surprising. A beer that tells a story of evolution and creativity.
The overtaking of wine by beer in France is not an isolated case: it signals a profound cultural change. And craft beer is at the heart of this transformation — not as an economic alternative, but as a conscious choice.
