Beer production in Czechia falls as drinking habits shift

Czech breweries produced slightly less than 20 million hectolitres of beer last year, a drop of 4.3 percent year-on-year, according to the Czech Beer and Malt Association. The decline reflects lower exports, changing lifestyles and a shift away from alcohol consumption. Industry representative Tomáš Slunečko said Czechs increasingly favour moderation and quality over quantity. This trend is reflected in the continued rise of non-alcoholic beer, which reached 1.68 million hectolitres, up four percent. Overall consumption also fell, with average intake at 121 litres per person. Drinking is increasingly moving away from pubs, while similar trends are seen across Europe.