In a historic reversal of centuries-old tradition, beer has surpassed wine as the most consumed alcoholic beverage in France. Data released this week by FranceAgriMer, the national agricultural and seafood agency, shows that beer now accounts for a larger share of alcohol consumption by volume than wine for the first time since records began.
A Quiet Revolution in French Drinking Habits
The figures, covering 2025, reveal that beer made up 52% of total alcohol consumed in France, compared to 48% for wine. The gap is expected to widen as younger drinkers increasingly favour beer over the traditional vin de table. The trend is most pronounced among under-35s, for whom wine has become an occasional rather than daily choice.
France has long been synonymous with wine, from the vineyards of Bordeaux and Burgundy to the Champagne cellars of Reims. Yet the country's relationship with alcohol has been evolving for decades. Per capita wine consumption has fallen from around 100 litres per year in the 1960s to roughly 40 litres today. Beer, by contrast, has seen steady growth, driven by the proliferation of microbreweries and a broader European craft-beer movement.
“This is not the end of wine in France, but it is a clear signal that drinking habits are modernising,” said Jean-Pierre Durand, a sociologist at Sciences Po in Paris. “Wine remains central to French identity, but its role has shifted from a daily staple to an occasional pleasure.”
The rise of beer is particularly visible in cities like Lille, Strasbourg, and Lyon, where new breweries have opened at a rapid pace. France now has over 2,500 breweries, up from just 300 in 2000. Many of these are small-scale operations producing IPAs, stouts, and sour ales that appeal to a younger, more experimental palate.
Meanwhile, the wine industry is grappling with overproduction and changing consumer preferences. Exports remain strong, especially to the United States and Asia, but domestic sales have stagnated. Some vintners are even uprooting vines in Bordeaux to reduce supply, a move unthinkable a generation ago.
The shift also reflects broader European trends. In Germany, beer consumption has been declining for years, while wine and spirits have gained ground. In Italy, beer has long been a popular alternative to wine, especially among the young. But France's move is particularly symbolic, given the country's deep-rooted wine culture.
“The French are not abandoning wine; they are diversifying,” said Claire Lefèvre, a drinks analyst at Euromonitor International. “The craft-beer boom is a global phenomenon, and France is catching up. What is striking is the speed of change.”
The data also highlights regional variations. In the north and east of France, near the Belgian and German borders, beer has always been more popular. In the south, wine still dominates, but even there, consumption is falling. The overall trend is clear: beer is no longer a second choice.
For the wine industry, the challenge is to adapt. Some producers are experimenting with lighter, fresher styles aimed at younger drinkers. Others are focusing on premium exports. But the days when every French meal was accompanied by a glass of wine are fading.
As one Parisian bartender put it: “Ten years ago, if someone ordered a beer with dinner, they were seen as odd. Now it's normal. The French palate is changing, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.”
