Spaniards drank less beer in 2025, as rising prices and changing habits took their toll. Average consumption fell to 50.5 litres per person, 4.4% less than in 2024, according to the brewing industry’s annual figures.
Where the fall came from
- Sales in bars and restaurants fell by 2.4% in volume.
- Sales in shops and supermarkets were almost flat, up 0.4%.
The industry points to three main reasons: households keeping a closer eye on spending after years of inflation, changes in leisure habits, and growing interest in healthier lifestyles.
The rise of 0.0
Alcohol-free beer is the exception. Its sales rose 4.6% to 3.3 million hectolitres, and it now accounts for about one in seven beers drunk in Spain. Almost every bar offers an alcohol-free option, and the category is particularly popular with younger drinkers who want the taste and social ritual without the alcohol.
A major producer
| 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Production | 41.52 million hectolitres (-0.5%) |
| Breweries | 261 |
| Exports | 3.64 million hectolitres (+8%) |
| Ranking | 2nd in the EU after Germany |
Imports fell by 4%, with Belgium supplying almost half.
Economic weight
The sector says beer contributes around 1.3% of Spain’s GDP and supports some 540,000 jobs, most of them in hospitality. Foreign tourists are a big part of the picture: they account for around 30% of the beer drunk in Spain, and their consumption rose by 4.1% last year.
How Spain drinks beer
Beer remains the most popular drink in Spanish bars, accounting for 44% of drinks ordered. It is the drink of choice for the aperitivo (64%), afternoon drinks (53%) and dinner (44%). And most beer served in bars — over 80% — comes in reusable kegs and bottles.
Why it matters for the Balearics
In the islands, where tourism dominates the economy, beer sales are closely tied to the summer season. A shift towards alcohol-free beer and more moderate drinking is also visible in the resorts, where bars have expanded their non-alcoholic ranges in recent years.
