German Beer Statistics
Production - Consumption - Breweries - Brands
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The latest version of this site is at my new domain http://www.europeanbeerguide.net/gerstats.htm.

Introduction
This page contains various German brewing industry statistics - beer production, beer consumption, beer consumption per head, number of breweries - that sort of stuff. (I know it's a bit sad, but I find it fascinating. I wouldn't go to all the trouble of putting these pages together if I didn't.)

The sources from which the information has been assembled are listed at the end of each table. (Awfully dull some of this junk, isn't it? But I am trying to do this semi-seriously, so I fell obliged to do the didactic bit. Look, if you're after laughs, why are you reading a page of statistics?)

I add new figures as soon as they are available. When I have time (where have you heard that one before?) I will append more historical statistics.
Index
Overview (1996)
German Beer Classifications
Beer production
Beer consumption
German Breweries
Beer brands


German Beer Statistics
Overview of the German Brewing Industry (1996)

Total beer production: 114,237,000 hl
%age of European production: 26.5%
Total beer consumption: 107,800,000 hl
Consumption per head: 131.7 l
Number of breweries: 1234
Beer exports: 8,539,000 hl
Beer imports: 2,168,000 hl
Draught beer percentage: 22%
Notes:
The only countries with which Germany has a trade deficit in beer are Belgium, the Czech Republic and Mexico.


Beer Market shares of largest brewery groups (1997)
rank Market share (%) Brewery group
1 9% Brau & Brunnen
2 7.3% Binding Group
3 5.5% Haus Kramer
4 5.3% Holsten Group
5 4.3% Bitburger
6 4.3% März group
7 3.9% Krombacher
8 3.2% Gilde
9 2.9% Karlsberger
10 2.7% Beck
  51.6% Others
Source:
Brauwelt Brevier 1998


German brewing industry finances
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Turnover (euros)     9,682,000,000 9,455,000,000 9,397,000,000 9,273,000,000 9,227,000,000* 9,325,000,000 9,022,000,000
Tax paid (euros)   878,664,000 868,208,000 842,237,000 844,625,000 830,342,000 828,533,000 811,478,000 783,000,000
Tax per hl (euros)   8.42 8.42 8.41 8.41 8.40 8.56 8.42  
Beer production cost index 100 101.6 102.8 103.7 104.1 105.4 107.1 109.7  
Beer price index   98.6 99.3 99.7 100 100 101 102.7  
Cost of living index   95.3 95.3 97.1 98 100 102 103.4  
Source: Deutscher Brauer-Bund
* Breweries with more than 20 employees.



German Beer Statistics
German beer Classifications

Type Plato % Alc
Einfachbier 2-5.5° 0.5-1.5
Schankbier 7-8° 0.3-2.6
Vollbier 11-14° 3.0-5.3
Starkbier 16°> 5.0-10.0
Notes:
  • Until 1990, beer outside these bands (i.e. 8°> <11° and 14°> <16°) was not permitted.
  • In 1991 98.8% of production was vollbier.

Source: Die Biere Deutschlands, 1993.



German Beer Statistics
Beer Production


German Beer Production, Beer Imports, Beer Exports and Beer Consumption (1000 hl)

1881/1882 1885/86 1890/91 1891/92 1892/93 1893/94 1894/95 1895/96 1896/97 1897/98 1898/99 1899/1900
Production:                        
Deutsches Zollgebied 36,663,000 39,822,000 49,925,000 50,268,000 51,795,000 52,528,000 52,311,000 57,299,000 48,169,000 62,649,000 64,164,000 65,621,000
Brausteuergebied 19,244,000 22,105,000 29,374,000 29,695,000 30,186,000 31,290,000 30,916,000 34,337,000 34,904,000 37,707,000 38,465,000 39,320,000
Bayern 11,826,000 12,655,000 14,427,000 14,490,000 15,104,000 15,025,000 15,186,000 16,034,000 16,206,000 16,982,000 17,455,000 17,739,000
Baden 1,155,000 1,244,000 1,679,000 1,643,000 1,714,000 1,710,000 1,728,000 1,914,000 2,192,000 2,741,000 2,947,000 3,095,000
Württemberg 3,396,000 2,879,000 3,508,000 3,454,000 3,749,000 3,478,000 3,493,000 3,885,000 3,796,000 4,100,000 4,069,000 4,128,000
Alsace-Lorraine 932,000 691,000 837,000 875,000 912,000 907,000 869,000 997,000 937,000 964,000 1,058,000 1,128,000
Exports 890,000 1,249,000 626,000 612,000 577,000 590,000 576,000 647,000 664,000 648,000 625,000 682,000
Imports 101,000 111,000 229,000 283,000 353,000 428,000 465,000 547,000 561,000 576,000 568,000 631,000
Consumption 35,874,000 38,684,000 49,528,000 49,939,000 51,571,000 52,366,000 52,200,000 57,199,000 58,066,000 62,577,000 64,107,000 65,569,000
Consumption per head     99.90 97.70 101.90 102.50 100.90 109.20 109.20 116.10 117.10 117.90
Source:
"Jahrbuch der Versuchs- und Lehranstalt für Brauerei in Berlin, 1911", p.585-589

Notes:
Deutsches Zollgebied includes Luxemburg.


German Beer Production, Beer Imports, Beer Exports and Beer Consumption (1000 hl)

1929 1938 1950 1960 1970 1976 1980 1983 1986 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
1998
1999
2000 2001 2002 2003
Production                                               
Germany 64,000** 31,424& - - - - - - - 104,281# 118,031 120,158 115,800 118,300 116,900 114,200 114,800 111,700 112,800 110,400 108,500 107,600 105,300
(West) - - 16,692& 53,739& 87,051& 92,700 92,342& 95,100 94,100                            
(East) - - 3,800& 13,424& 16,642& 19,300 24,200& - 24,300 (estimated) 9,900&                          
Exports                               8,999 9,237 8,930 9,475 10,752 10,842 11,057 12,095
Imports                     2,809$$         3,015 3,279 2,823 3,054 3,228 3,806 3,305 2,738
Consumption         85,603++   89,820++     98,283++ 113,871++ 114,424++ 110,338++ 112,386++ 110,999++ 107,987 107,679 104,550 104,767 103,105 100,904 100,438 97,107
Sources:
# http://www.germannews.com/biercontest/e_biersonstig.html
@ The Confederation of Belgian Brewers.
+ Brauwelt Brevier 1998
* Brauwelt 30/2002
** ABC o napojich, 1986
& Brauwelt 50/2002
$ Brauwelt 08/2003
Years 1996 - 2003 Deutscher Brauer-Bund, Bonn
++ Deutscher Brauer-Bund, Bonn
$$ Brauwelt 4-5/2004, page 112



German beer production by state (1000 hl)
State 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Baden-Württemberg 9,022 8,619 8,023 7,987 7,881 7,700 7,750 7,700 7,730
Bayern 24,900 24,800 23,500 23,300 22,900 22,800 23,100 22,938 22,533
Berlin/Brandenburg 4,349 4,383 4,221 3,933 3,724 3,800 3,782 3,609 3,801
Hessen 7,329 7,092 6,547 6,235 5,932 5,300 4,821 3,615 3,436
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 1,829 1,973 2,131 1,517 1,959 2,500 2,099 2,746 3,096
Niedersachsen/Bremen 11,088 12,053 11,815 12,143 12,446 11,500 11,724 10,619 11,140
Nordrhein-Westfalen 30,482 29,937 29,263 29,355 28,744 28,300 28,200 26,684 26,728
Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland 8,893 8,877 9,113 9,325 8,229 7,700 8,425 8,193 7,884
Sachsen 7,118 7,681 7,807 8,325 8,439 8,400 8,460 8,646 8,740
Sachsen-Anhalt 1,831 2,154 2,267 2,302 2,382 2,100 2,592 2,990 2,965
Schleswig-Holstein/Hamburg 4,491 4,663 4,337 4,683 4,732 4,300 3,459 4,280 4,270
Thüringen 2,394 2,600 2,670 3,084 3,127 4,100 4,000 3,548 3,579
Germany 114,200 114,800 111,700 112,800 110,400 108,500 108,400 105,568 105,804
Source:
1996-2002: Deutscher Brauer-Bund
2003-2004: Brauwelt Brevier 2005, p.62


German beer imports by origin (1000 hl)
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Denmark 1,070 956 1,071 1,321 1,372 1,487 1,389
Netherlands 932 656 542 689 734 431 143
Czech Republic 548 503 493 450 526 583 735
Belgium/Luxembourg 399 396 450 546 526 506 207
Austria 1 2 2 4 80 111 128
Ireland 195 152 71 172 29 4 -
UK 18 10 133 29 8 16 36
Italy         1* 14*  
France         87* 2*  
Total 3,279 2,823 3,054 3,228 3,806 3,305 2,738
%age of consumption 3.0 2.7 2.9 3.1 3.8 3.3 2.8
Sources:
Deutscher Brauer-Bund, Bonn
* Brauwelt 4-5/2004, page 112


German beer exports by destination (1000 hl)
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Italy 1,579 1,598 1,625 1,711 2,232 2,420 2,616
UK 1,458 1,252 1,136 1,111 2,069 1,555 1,514
USA 1,219 1,321 1,421 1,466 1,490 1,517 1,527
France 1,099 1,164 1,122 919 2,372 1,213 854
Netherlands 814 676 511 487 820 762 698
Spain 637 774 784 926 1,304 1,268 793
Russia 421 283 29 23 30 35 25
Total 9,237 8,930 9,464 10,752 10,842 11,056 12,095
%age of production 8.0 8.0 8.4 9.8 10.0 10.2 11.38
Source:
Deutscher Brauer-Bund, Bonn


German beer production by fermentation type
Beer type 1983 1991 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Bottom-fermenting: 84.7% 85% 89.2% 89.3% 89.5% 89.5% 89.3% 89% 88.7%    
Top-fermenting: 15.3% 15% 10.8% 10.7% 10.5% 10.5% 10.7% 11% 11.3%    
Sources:
1983: Das Deutsche Bier (Bild Atlas), 1984.
1991: Die Biere Deutschlands, 1993.
1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001: Brauwelt Brevier 2003
2002: Deutscher Brauer-Bund, Bonn


German beer production by package type (%)
Beer Package Type 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Draught 22.7 21.7 21.0 19.9 19.5  19.3 19.5 19.5 19.3 19.5
Returnable bottles 60.3 59.6 60.0 59.9 58.8 57.9 55.5 53.6 51 64.9
Nonreturnable bottles and cans 17.1 18.7 19.0 20.1 21.7 22.8 25.0 27.0 29.7 15.6
Source:
Deutscher Brauer-Bund, Bonn


German beer production by beer type (%)
type 1968 1970 1976 1992
Export 57% 50% 32%  
Pils 19% 25% 41% 80% (North)
        60-70% (Middle)
        50% (South-west)
        25% (Bavaria)
Source:
Die Biere Deutschlands, 1993.


German beer production by beer type (%)
Beer type 1968 1970 1976 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003
Pils 19 25 41 64.1 66 68.1 67.8 67.9 66.9 68.6  
Export/Edel/Spezial 57 50 32 10.1 9.7 8.8 8.8 9 9.5 7.3  
Weizen       4.5 4.8 4.9 5.3 5.7 6 6.3  
Hell       4.5 4.4 3.7 3.7 3.4 3.2 2.9  
Alt       3.6 3.5 3.4 3.1 2.9 2.9 2.9  
Kölsch       2.7 2.4 2.2 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1  
Malz       2.1 2 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.8 2.6  
Alcohol free       3.7 3.4 2.9 2.7 2.7 2.8 2.6  
Leichtbier       1.7 1.4 1.1 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6  
Schwarzbier                   1.0  
Bock                   1.1  
Diet                   0.4  
Sources:
1968, 1970, 1976: Die Biere Deutschlands, 1993.
1992-2001: Brauwelt Brevier 2003
2002: Deutscher Brauer-Bund, Bonn


Beer production by type (DDR) (%)
type 1985
Helles vollbier 57%
Pils 38%
Source: Die Biere Deutschlands, 1993.


When first bottom-fermenting beer was produced
city Münchener pils
Berlin 1830 1890
Hannover 1832  
Dortmund 1843  
Holzminden 1848  
Pfungstadt 1846  
Hamburg   1901
Bitburg   1909
Source:
Die Biere Deutschlands, 1993.





German Beer Statistics
German beer consumption


German Beer consumption per capita (litres)
  1970 1976 1980 1986 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Germany - - - - - 141.9 142 135.9 138 135.9 131.9 131.2 127.5 127.5 125.3 122.4 121.5 117.7
(West) 141.1 147 145.9 153 142.7                          
(East)   118   153*                            
Sources:
1976 - World Guide to Beer, Michael Jackson, 1977
1986 - Larousse la bière, 1988
Years 1970, 1980, 1990 - 2003 Deutscher Brauer-Bund, Bonn




German Beer Statistics
German breweries


Total number of breweries in Germany
  1880 1933 1938 1950 1960 1970 1976 1980 1990 1991 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
  19000# 3795 2100@ 3200@* 2218@* 1815@ 1626* 1364@* 1329@* 1315 1243 1234 1273 1285 1281 1279 1298 1287 1275 1274
DDR         218@     152@       139 145 145 152 156 162 166 170 172
Sources:
Die Biere Deutschlands, 1993.
Brauwelt Brevier 1998
Hopfen & Malz, C.Seidl, 1995
@ Brauwelt 50/2002
Years 1997 - 2004 Deutscher Brauer-Bund, Bonn

Notes:
# = maximum number ever achieved
* = W.Germany only


Number of Breweries per German State
state 1976 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Schleswig-Hol/Hamb 10 20@ 23@ 22@ 22@ 19* 17* 16 18 15 13 13 13 12 13
Schleswig-Holstein 6 - - - -                    
Hamburg 4 - - - -                    
Nieder-Sachs/Bremen 38 38@ 39@ 39@ 39@ 38* 37* 42 42 44 47 49 48 49 49
Nieder-Sachsen 32 - - - -                    
Bremen 6 - - - -                    
Nordrhein-Westphalen 121 101@ 108@ 106@ 102@   105 107 114 115 114 121 121 117 118
Hessen 49 51@ 53@ 53@ 53@ 53* 53* 56 61 62 62 65 66 64 63
Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarl 47 36@ 38@ 35@ 34@ 35* 38* 39 39 42 48 53 51 49 52
Rheinland-Pfalz 36 28 - - -                    
Saarland 11 8 - - -                    
Baden-Würtemburg 237 180@ 179@ 176@ 168@ 170* 166* 169 170 167 169 179 177 173 178
Bavaria 1,122 787@ 797@ 766@ 744@ 702* 691* 699 696 684 670 656 643 641 629
West Berlin 12 - - - -                    
Berlin/Brand. - 23@ 26@ 26@ 20@ 22* 27* 32 33 31 35 34 34 36 38
Sachsen - 40@ 34@ 33@ 32@ 32* 34* 38 45 50 51 56 56 54 55
Mecklenburg/Vorp.   9@ 7@ 7@ 6@ 9* 9* 11 11 12 14 17 18 19 18
Sachsen-Anhalt - 20@ 16@ 15@ 13@ 13* 13* 12 13 16 15 15 18 18 18
Thuringen - 51@ 45@ 41@ 45@ 46* 48* 52 43 43 41 40 42 43 43
Germany - 1356@ 1365@ 1319@ 1278@ 1243* 1234* 1273 1285 1281 1279 1298 1287 1275 1274
Germany (West) 1,626 - - -                      
Sources:
* Brauwelt Brevier 1998
@ Die Deutsche Brauwirtschaft in Zahlen, 1994
Years 1997 - 2002 Deutscher Brauer-Bund, Bonn

June 1997: the USA has for the first time the most breweries in the world - 1,273 to 1,234 in Germany (Source: Institute of Brewing Studies)





Largest Breweries

Total Production (1000 hl)
Company 1989 1991 1993 1994 1995 1996 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Brau & Brunnen - Total sales
Domestic sales
5350
5196
7050
6928
- - 10281
-
9950
-
7981
-
7548
-
7094
-
7190
-
7200
7200
8500
8000
Radeberger (Binding) group - Total sales
Domestic sales
5544
4971
8950
8178
- - 9179
-
8750
-
9800
-
9800
-
9500
-
8920
-
8806
7806
8000
7000
Holsten group - Total sales
Domestic sales
3775
2875
6100
5000
- - 7300 7100 7100 8455 10000 9900 9800
8700
8800
7700
Haus Kramer -Total sales
Domestic sales
2940
2816
4840
4639
- - 6450
-
6240
-
5645
-
5667
-
5677
-
 5637
-
5697
4903
4800
4100
Interbrew (Becks, Gilde) -Total
Domestic sales
3843
1960
4373
2373
- - 5500
-
5624
-
5431
-
5437
-
5743
-
5740
-
7230
4500
11400
8000
Bitburger - Total sales
Domestic sales
2721
2672
3129
3005
- - 4700
-
4800
-
4955
-
5133
-
5060
-
5030
-
5102
4806
5800
5500
März group (Henninger, etc.) 4850 - - - 4776 4613 3999 3925 4317 4320 -
-
Stute Nährungsmittel - - - - - - 5680 5600 5500 5650 6000  
Krombacher -Total sales
Domestic sales
1729
1679
2700
2625
- - 4130
-
4290
-
4610
-
4830
-
4790
-
4693
-
4865
4747
5200
5130
Spaten group (2004 on Interbrew) - - - - - - 3852 3905 4055 3975 4011  
Gilde (after 2002 Interbrew) 1694 - - - 3358 3576 3901 3840 4207 4463 4809 n/a
Karlsberger 2309 - - - 3773 3483 3475 3479 3500 3600 4000  
Kulmbacher 1818 2011 - - n/a 2345 1917 1896 1921 1950 n/a n/a
Paulaner 2285 - - - 2277 2333 2686 2743 2748 2750 n/a n/a
Bayerische Brau Holding (Paulaner & Kulmbacher)
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
4724
-
4647
-
4690
4160
4700
4170
Veltins - Total sales
Domestic sales
605
-
1987
-
- - 2270
-
2281
-
2242
-
2320
-
2360
-
2360
-
2378
2359
2400
2340
König (after 2001 Holsten group) 2211 - - - 2207 2156 2032 2178 2300 2300    
Oettinger group -Total sales
Domestic sales
1729
-
1013
-
- - 1880 2055 2684 2934 3121 3397 3989
3684
5200
4800
Verbund Homburg - Total sales
Domestic sales
2309
2122
3330
3092
- - - - - - - - 3800
3400
4000
3500
Actris group -Total sales
Domestic sales
- - - - - - - - - - 2340
2258
1940
1860

Source:
Brauwelt nr. 10/11 (1998)
Brauwelt Brevier 2002 (for the years 1998-2000)
Brauwelt nr. 27 2003 (for the years 2001-2002)
Brauwelt 4-5/2004, page 95 (years 1991 and 2003, domestic sales 1989,1991, 2002 and 2003)

Brewery groups (as of 2003):
Interbrew: Becks, Diebels, Gilde.
Holsten Group: Feldshlößchen, König, Licher, Landskron
Brau und Brunnen: Berliner-Verbund, Leipziger-Verbund, Kölner-Verbund, Jever, Schlösser, Rostocker, Tucher.
Bitburger: Köstritzer, Schultheiss, Koblez, Wernesgrüner.
Oettinger: breweries in Gotha, Dessow, Schwerin, Mönchen-Gladbach.
Haus Kramer: Paderborner, Isenbeck, Weißenberg.
Verbund Homburg: Trierer Löwen, Becker, St. Ingbert, Königsbacher, Nette.
Actris: Eichbaum, Freiberger, Mammut.
Spaten group: Löwenbräu, Dinkelacker.



German Beer Statistics
German beer brands


Largest Beer Brands

Total Production (1000 hl)
Company 1991 1995
1996 1997 2000
Krombacher 2650 4024 4174 4454 4672
Warsteiner 4643 5700 5511 5127 4503
Bitburger 2987 3958 3980 3946 3972
Oettinger 1013 1170 1230 1300 2810
Veltins 1987 2257 2260 2267 2304
Hasseröder 350 1456 1711 2003 2293
König 2188 2073 2001 2157 2175
Holsten 2900 2400 2200 2100 2050
Radeberger 400 1360 1535 1712 1996
Beck's 1250 1650 1605 1717 1860
Paulaner 1900 1566 1632 1689 1795
Diebels 1575 1648 1619 1599 1472
Jever 1200 1358 1464 1540 1450
Karlsberg 1524 1400 1400 1400 1450
Kulmbacher 2011   1582 1421 1284
Henninger 1800 1330 1673 1558 1273
Erdinger 1100 1286 1243 1265 1275
Licher 1507 1438 1338 1320 1050
Berliner Kindl 1174 1140 1107 1005 1013

Source:
Brauwelt Brevier 1998, 1999, 2002.


Foreign Beer Brands in Germany (1000 hl)
Country 2001 2002  
Danish Brewery Group A/S 922 962  
Tuborg (brewed in Germany) 490 450  
Desperados (Karlsberg) 280 280  
Budweiser Budvar 194 197  
Pilsner Urquell 139 153  
Staropramen 120 132  
Carlsberg (brewed in Germany) 100 100  
Guinness (including Kilkenny) 114 95  
Heineken 73 73  
Miller 55 50  
Foster's 60 43  
Corona 41 43  
Salitos Tequila 26 38  
Efes 26 35  
Sol 30 13  
Source:
Brauwelt 4-5/2004, page 113


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