Why are Germans drinking less and less alcohol?
There are various reasons for the decline in alcohol consumption. The German-Dutch science writer Bas Kast cites for example the current fitness trend and growing nutritional and health awareness. His book “Warum ich keinen Alkohol mehr trinke” (Why I no longer drink alcohol) is a bestseller in Germany. However, the wider range of alcohol-free alternatives – for example when it comes to mixed drinks – is also contributing to the trend. Wine Institute spokesman Büscher, talking about how alcohol-free wine is produced, says: “A lot has been learnt in recent years, and the quality has improved significantly.”
Are alcohol-free drinks successful in economic terms?
In Germany, the amount of alcohol-free wine purchased soared by 86 percent year-on-year in 2024, while sales grew by 68 percent. The market share of alcohol-free wines in Germany still remains small at 1.5 percent. However, it may see a similar development as with beer, the non-alcohol version of which was long a niche product. Nowadays, experts believe that one in ten beers brewed in Germany will soon be alcohol-free.
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