For generations, the French identity has been inseparable from wine—a staple at every meal, celebrated in literature, and defended against foreign stereotypes. Yet new data reveals a quiet revolution: in 2025, beer consumption overtook wine for the first time in recorded history.
According to figures from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) and the French brewery association Brasseurs de France, the French consumed 22.1 million hectolitres of beer last year, edging past the 22 million hectolitres of wine. Wine drinking has fallen to its lowest level since 1957, a decline that has accelerated over the past decade.
A Cultural Shift Beyond the Glass
The change reflects deeper transformations in French society. A lecturer at Sciences Po told Les Echos that “wine and its 75cl bottle are still associated with dining at the table, whereas people are eating at the table less often.” Beer, by contrast, is increasingly linked to casual, social occasions—sports matches, outdoor gatherings, and after-work drinks.
France’s craft beer scene has expanded rapidly, with microbreweries flourishing in cities like Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux. This domestic production has helped normalise beer as a sophisticated choice, challenging the old notion that it belongs primarily to Germans, Belgians, or the British.
Economic pressures also play a role. Beer is generally cheaper than wine, and the rising cost of living has pushed younger consumers toward more affordable options. The OIV noted that US tariffs have added strain to the global wine trade, compounding long-term shifts in consumption patterns.
“What we can see in the 2025 data is a sector that's reacting to real-time impacts of US tariff policies, but also adapting to some longer-term changes in terms of climate and consumption,” said OIV Director General John Barker.
Health considerations may also be at play. Many beers have lower alcohol content than wine, and public health campaigns have encouraged moderation. While some studies suggest moderate wine drinkers may have lower heart risk, the overall trend in France—as across much of Europe—is toward reduced alcohol consumption.
Despite the milestone, France remains the largest European consumer of wine, and the country’s vineyards continue to produce some of the world’s most revered vintages. But the data signals a generational shift that is unlikely to reverse. As the French saying goes, “repas sans vin, repas chagrin”—a meal without wine is a sad meal. Yet increasingly, that meal may be accompanied by a pint or a pichet of beer.
For visitors to France, the change means less pressure to order wine in a bar or brasserie. Ordering a beer is no longer a faux pas—it is simply a reflection of the times.
