In spite of the growth of craft beer in the Netherlands, as well as its Trappist heritage, mass-market lagers still dominate. But according to a study, that dominance has taken a major hit.

Here’s the deal….

Beer has long been pretty important part of Dutch culture, with a history the dates back to the Middle Ages when monasteries brewed it to provide income. But it’s also one of the country’s biggest exports products, and home to major brewers like Heineken and Bavaria, breweries primarily known for their lagers…

But locals are drinking significantly less lagers according to a recent study from Nederlandse Brouwers (Read: Dutch Brewers) that was published in NU.nl as younger drinkers transition to non-alcoholic brews.

(Nederlandse Brouwers)

According to the study beer consumption in the Netherlands has dipped 8% lower during the summer of 2021, compared to the same period last year.

But over that same timeframe the consumption of alcohol-free beer increased by 3%, according to the study.

Research by the Dutch brewers showed that the cross section of Netherlands residents who would sometimes drink beer has decreased from 48% to 45% in the past five years. And interestingly, the study found fewer men are drinking beer while beer consumption among women remained stable.

Beer drinking decreased among older age groups, but increased among young people between the ages of 18 and 30, according to Nederlandse Brouwers who noted: “Beer has become hipper, especially thanks to the non-alcoholic variants and specialty beers.”

Obviously Covid-19 impacted this study, with bars and restaurants in the Netherlands closed down for long periods.

“A large part of consumption in the catering industry has of course disappeared,” Nederlandse Brouwers added. “We drink more beer at home, but not much more to make up for that.”

And the Netherlands isn’t the only place seeing beer consumption declines…

BEER CONSUMPTION SHOWS DECADE DECLINES IN ALMOST EVERY US STATE

BEER CONSUMPTION DOWN DURING SUPER BOWL 2020