For the first time in France’s recorded history, beer has overtaken wine as the country’s most consumed alcoholic drink, marking a symbolic shift in national drinking habits.
Traditionally, wine has been closely associated with French identity and everyday life, embodied in the saying “a meal without wine is a sad meal.” However, recent data suggests this long‑standing pattern is changing.
According to figures from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), wine consumption in France reached 22 million hectolitres in 2025. By comparison, data from the French brewery association Brasseurs de France shows beer consumption slightly higher, at 22.1 million hectolitres.
At the same time, wine consumption has fallen to its lowest level since 1957, highlighting a long-term downward trend in demand.
Changing habits
Several factors are driving the shift.
France’s beer market has expanded steadily in recent years, supported by the growth of craft breweries and changing consumer preferences. Beer is also often associated with more informal social occasions, such as watching sports or casual gatherings.
At the same time, experts point to wider lifestyle changes. Wine remains closely linked to traditional sit‑down meals, but people are dining at the table less frequently, particularly in smaller households and faster‑paced routines.
Lower alcohol content in many beers and a broader trend of reduced overall alcohol consumption have also contributed to the change.
Economic pressures
Economic factors are also playing a significant role. Beer is generally cheaper than wine, and rising living costs are influencing consumer choices, especially among younger people.
Global pressures on the wine industry have added to the shift. Trade tensions and climate-related challenges are also reshaping the sector and affecting consumption patterns.
A symbolic turning point
Despite the change, France remains one of the world’s leading wine-consuming nations. However, the fact that beer has overtaken wine, even marginally, reflects a broader transformation in how, when and what people drink.
Ordering a pint in France may no longer seem out of place, a sign that traditions, even deeply rooted ones, continue to evolve.
Source: euronews
