Are Germans Drinking Less Beer?

It's an odd topic, and likely to get a group of Germans (especially in a pub) into a discussion.

The answer?  Back in the early 70s....the national average for West Germany, was 140 liters per adult (more or less).  The statistic is thrown around and various groups have differing numbers, but they tend to average out at 140 liters (that 40 gallons for Americans)....per year. 

Today, the amount is said to be in the 100-liter range (26.5 gallons).

So, what's the story?

When I arrived in 1978 to the Frankfurt region....it's safe to say that after work....most working-class Germans sat down and had a minimum of half-liter stein, after work....each and every day.  For the intellectual crowd and managers....the habit wasn't that apparent.  Adding to the working-class guy's habit....at least one shot of some cognac, or cheap alcohol.  Then after that, they drove home.  Yes, some drank more, and were probably not in great shape to be driving.

As you looked around in the 1980s and 1990s.....three things began to happen.

First, cops were pulling guys over more often.  The threat of losing a license was a bigger deal than it was in the 1970s. 

Second, the working-class guys began to buy their beer and store it in the basement.....drinking it on the patio or balcony.  This meant pubs and bisto-operations suffered profit-cuts.  If you look around today.....it's probably one-third of the pubs still in existence. 

Third, guys drifted around to favorite beers, which a fair number of pubs weren't going to offer.  A good example is the fact that a lot of Germans hate Bitburger, Astra, and Kaiser Pilsner.  A lot of pubs serve these brands (maybe for cost purposes), and guys just avoid places like this.

The adaption to cocktails?  To some degree, this has caught on. 

Plus you have to bring up health aspects, and consumption of beer was lessened to some degree.

Will the trend continue?  This is an odd topic to bring up as well.  I suspect as you get to 2030....we might be down to 85 liters of beer per year.

Less beer at soccer games?  Well....this has been brought up on occasion that a fair number of stadiums now will cut off beer sales at the half-time event.  Drunk fans, as they've found out.....are more likely or prone toward violence after the game ends.

A bad thing for the lesser amount?  No, not necessarily.  It simply tells the story of society evolving and changing.