- Beer is the most popular alcohol in Europe – it dominates 21 countries, especially Central Europe, Scandinavia and the Balkans.
- Wine He rules in the South – France, Italy and Portugal are the main wine countries, but his popularity besides grows in the North (e.g. in the UK and Scandinavia).
- Strong alcohols They reign in the East – Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania and Latvia have a tradition of drinking spirit drinks, especially vodka.
- Regional preferences are historically conditioned, but trends change – wine gains in beer countries and beer gains popularity where wine previously ruled.
Beer, wine or strong liquor?
The preference for alcohol in Europe varies greatly, and the scenery of the most preferred drinks is constantly changing. The following map shows: which kind of alcohol dominates countries, based on average consumption (in litres of pure alcohol) among people over 15 years old. Data comes from the study World wellness Organization (WHO) from 2020. |
| Number of infirmary beds per 100,000 people; development of interesting statistics.pl based on WHO data |
Europe is simply a continent full of contrasts – from warm vineyards to cool lands, where beer and vodka reign. conventional wine bastions, specified as France, Italy, Spain or Greece, are increasingly giving up places for a golden beverage – beer. Globalisation, the improvement of craft brewing and changing consumer tastes make wine-famous countries open up to hop alternatives.
In the east of Europe, the dominance of strong alcohol, especially vodka, is profoundly rooted, but there are besides changes. In Romania and Serbia, more people are reaching for lighter beer, indicating the gradual evolution of alcoholic tastes.
Beer: number 1 beverage in Europe
If Europe were to choose 1 favourite drink, statistic indicate that it would be beer. In as many as 21 countries, it reigns in glasses and mugs, beating on the head both wine and strong alcohol. This is not surprising, given that countries specified as Germany, Spain and Poland are European brewing powers.
Czechs – known for their love of the golden drink – have been beating planet records in terms of beer per person. Germany, of Oktoberfest and hundreds of craft brewers, for centuries have been a symbol of beer culture. In Poland, although there were spirit drinks for years, beer gained dominance, especially thanks to the improvement of kraft breweries and changing tastes of consumers. akin trends are besides seen in Balkan countries, Scandinavia and the British Isles (although wine is becoming increasingly popular there). Interestingly, even in traditionally wine-growing countries specified as Spain, beer is gaining popularity, which is the consequence of changing consumer preferences and increasing popularity of craft beer.
Wine: Taste of the South (and more)
When we think of wine, there is simply a image of vineyards in France, Italy or Spain – and rightly so! It has been these countries that have for centuries perfected the art of winemaking and exported their liquors to the full world. Wine besides dominates Greece, Portugal and Moldova – a country that boasts any of the oldest wine traditions in the world.
An interesting fact is the increasing popularity of wine in northern countries specified as Denmark, Norway and the United Kingdom. Although these are not typically wine-making regions, globalisation and changing consumer habits have made them increasingly choose wine alternatively of beer or stronger drinks.
Spirit drinks: east European tradition
When we talk about vodka, the first association is east Europe – and WHO data confirm it. Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia and Bulgaria are the countries where spirit drinks reign. The tradition of drinking strong alcohol in these regions goes back centuries and is profoundly rooted in culture.
In the Baltic and east Europe, vodka is not only a popular drink, but besides an crucial component of hospitality and tradition. Many national drinks specified as Bulgarian rakija Estonian Vana Tallinn, maintains this strong trend in the region.
Breakdown of Europe by alcohol
WHO data clearly indicates regional preferences:
- Beer dominates Central Europe, Scandinavia and the Balkans.
- Wine rules in the South, but it besides gains popularity in Northern Europe.
- Strong alcohols hold tight in the East of the continent.
This division reflects not only historical and cultural influences, but besides changing tastes and availability of alcohol. Interestingly, wine is slow gaining supporters in beer countries, and beer begins to appear where wine has dominated so far.
What will the future bring?
Trends in alcohol consumption are constantly changing. expanding popularity of craftsmen's alcohol, experimenting with fresh flavors and expanding wellness awareness can affect future consumer choices. Will beer hold its dominance? Will the wine take over another countries? Or will spirit drinks be renaissance in places where they are little popular now?
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