Which countries drink the most beer?
Global beer consumption exceeded 185 million kiloliters in 2021, enough to fill more than 74,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Nigeria is not one of the top 50 drinking nations in the world.
So, which countries drink the most beer and which are the top beer brands?
China was the largest beer-consuming country for the 19th consecutive year.
The tradition of brewing and enjoying beer in China spans approximately nine millennia. Recent archaeological discoveries have revealed that as far back as 7000 BC, ancient Chinese communities were engaged in producing beer-like alcoholic beverages, primarily on a small and localized basis.
China was also the leading producer of beer in 2022, followed by the United States.
Other countries in the top 10 beer-consuming nations are these;
| Rank | Country | Total Consumption (thousand kl) | Market Share |
| 1 |  China |
38,093 | 20.5% |
| 2 |  U.S. |
24,170 | 13.0% |
| 3 |  Brazil |
14,540 | 7.8% |
| 4 |  Russia |
8,937 | 4.8% |
| 5 |  Mexico |
8,660 | 4.7% |
| 6 |  Germany |
7,584 | 4.1% |
| 7 |  United Kingdom |
4,608 | 2.5% |
| 8 |  Japan |
4,188 | 2.3% |
| 9 |  Vietnam |
4,159 | 2.2% |
| 10 |  Spain |
4,131 | 2.2 |
The Nigerian beer market
According to the Nigeria Beer and Cider Market Overview, the market size for beer in Nigeria was estimated to be around $22 billion in 2021, and it is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 11% during 2022-2027. This indicates that there is a significant demand for beer in Nigeria.
Nigeria is reported to have produced about 18.18 million hectoliters of beer in 2022, which was the second highest in Africa after South Africa.
The average Nigerian consumes the equivalent to about 82 liters per year, which is slightly lower than the global average of 86 liters per person.
Nigerians spent over N599.11 billion on alcoholic and soft drinks in the first six months of 2022, which was a 31.2% increase from the same period in 2021.
The most popular beer brands in Nigeria are Guinness, Heineken (Nigerian Breweries), Star, Budweiser, Orijin and Trophy (International Breweries)
In Nigeria and all over the world, suffering, smiling and drinking all find a way to go together!
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