The Swiss are drinking less beer. In the last brewing year 2022/23, sales fell significantly, with the main reason for this being the deteriorating consumer sentiment. Meanwhile, non-alcoholic beer is becoming increasingly popular.

According to initial calculations by the Swiss Brewers’ Association (SBV), the Swiss beer market recorded a year-on-year decline of 2.5% in the 2022/23 brewing year (as at the end of September). A total of 4.57 million hectoliters of beer were sold during this period.

However, it should be borne in mind that beer consumption had risen sharply in the previous year in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, said SBC President Nicolò Paganini at the annual media conference on Tuesday. Compared to the average beer output from 2010 to 2019, last year’s sales were within the expected range.

According to Paganini, the weather had little impact on beer sales. While the rainy months of April and May had a negative impact on business, the beer statistics improved during the warm and long-lasting summer. Meanwhile, inflation and economic fears had depressed consumer sentiment and beer consumption.

Non-alcoholic beer is becoming increasingly popular with the Swiss. According to the Brewers’ Association, output rose by 5.3% in the last brewing year to just under 280,000 hectoliters. This means that non-alcoholic beer now accounts for 6.1% of total beer output, up from 5.8% in the previous year.

©Keystone/SDA