The 10 Most Popular Countries For Beer Drinkers

Beer remains the beverage of choice for millions around the world, but some countries are better known for their beer brewing capabilities, than others.

If you’re a beer lover who also enjoys traveling and exploring different countries, here are 10 who play host to some of the top beers in the world:

1. The Netherlands: With popular beers made by companies like Grolsch, Amstel and Heineken all originating from this region, it’s little wonder it remains a thriving destination for beer lovers. During the summer months you can enjoy a low alcohol, fruity beer known as ‘Witbier,’ while in the darker, winter months, you can sip on a stronger, darker beer called ‘Herfstbok.’
2. Belgium: With a long and celebrated heritage of beer prodiction in its most traditional form, Belgium is home to 6 of the world’s 12 Trappist monasteries producing Trappist beer, and in 2016, the country was recognized by UNESCO for its longstanding beer culture. You’re likely already familiar with beer brands from here, such as Stella Artois and Hoegaarden.
3. Australia: With beer produced in Australia for the first time to try and decrease high levels of drunkenness from overseas convicts addicted to rum, many states now have their own brews that they are fiercely territorial over. While Fosters Lager, still a popular Australian export, isn’t widely available throughout the country itself, it remains on the global market as a top seller.
4. U.S.A.: With drinking practices formed around the traditions of England and the Netherlands, beer largely ruled its colonial era. Did you know that at the turn of the century, Wisconsin began producing bottles of beer made with brown glass to try and stop the sun from having a negative impact on the beer’s quality. With prohibition laws easing from 1933 onwards, the beer market developed further and today, popular light beer brands such as Coors Light and Bud Light, make up as much as half of the country’s beer sales.
5. United Kingdom: With a brewing history that has its roots in monasteries and abbeys, the UK is now enjoying a real ale revival, with as many as 70% of all pubs serving at least one real ale. With the microbrewery industry thriving here, fans of craft beers will find many different brews catering to all types of beer lovers.
6. Ireland: Although only a small country, Ireland ranks 5^th in the world in terms of beer consumption, with the national brew being dry stout; Guinness being a name synonymous with the country, produced from Arthur Guinness’s brewery established in 1756. How, just like the UK, Ireland has a thriving craft beer and microbrewery industry. 
7. New Zealand: With its latitude making it an ideal location for the cultivation of crops such as barley and hops, the country exports these to overseas countries for beer production, but is a great beer drinking nation itself. With a whole host of programs designed to bring new varieties of hops to the country, it has become known as one of the world’s most innovative beer producing countries.
8. Japan: With top exported beers such as Sapporo, Kirin and Asahi, beer is believed to have first been introduced to the country in the 17^th century, by Dutch traders. Locals tend to prefer lighter lagers in the Pilsner style, but both Tokyo and Osaka have thriving craft beer bars, with microbreweries increasing in popularity.
9. Germany: With a whole host of brewing traditions dating back through the centuries, while Germany isn’t known for drinking the most beer, it does have a more relaxed culture surrounding the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and many drinkers can be seen enjoying a beer on their way home from work, or in public parks. Domestically, Germans tend to favor the light Pilsner.
10. Czech Republic: With the worlds highest consumption of beer per capita, Czech Republicans consume around 161 litres of beer on average a year! With a brewing history dating back to the 6^th century, Pilsner beer remains a significant export for the country. You may notice when visiting, that bars here serve their beers with a lot more foam than other countries.

If you’re on a quest to find the top 10 best beer in the world, you’re highly likely to locate them in one of these beer producing destinations, and even if you don’t find them, you can have a lot of fun trying!