Distribution of beer consumption in the Netherlands 2022, by beer type
Good old pilsener was the most popular beer in the Netherlands in 2022. 67 Percent of beer drinkers in the Netherlands indicated that they drank pilsener, a European lager, at least once a month. Pilsener is the most widely available beer type in the Netherlands, with well-known breweries such as Heineken, Amstel, and Hertog Jan being served and sold in bars, restaurants, and supermarkets. While the Dutch preference for pilsener is an established fact, the popularity of non-alcoholic beers and craft beers is also undeniable. Approximately half of the respondents to this widespread survey indicated that they had enjoyed an alcohol-free beer and a craft beer (speciaalbier in Dutch) in the last month.
Although the present statistic suggests that non-lager beers are nearly as popular as pilseners in the Netherlands, official sales figures offer a more realistic image of the Dutch beer market. The sales volume of lagers was roughly six times as high as that of special beers (craft beers) in 2021. Furthermore, the Dutch bought only 743 thousand hectoliters of non-alcoholic beer in that year, compared to nearly 8.5 million hectoliters of lager.
In the last few years, the sales of non-alcoholic beers, low-alcohol beers, and craft beers have increased, as the Dutch beer consumers introduced more variety in their beer palate. Back in 2017, even Heineken, which is generally considered to be a conservative brewery in terms of the variety of their portfolio, launched a non-alcoholic beer know as Heineken 0.0. This beer was such a hit that the beverage was considered to be the most successful innovation in the Netherlands in 2017.
Pilseners dominates the market…
Although the present statistic suggests that non-lager beers are nearly as popular as pilseners in the Netherlands, official sales figures offer a more realistic image of the Dutch beer market. The sales volume of lagers was roughly six times as high as that of special beers (craft beers) in 2021. Furthermore, the Dutch bought only 743 thousand hectoliters of non-alcoholic beer in that year, compared to nearly 8.5 million hectoliters of lager.
...but other beers are closing the gap
In the last few years, the sales of non-alcoholic beers, low-alcohol beers, and craft beers have increased, as the Dutch beer consumers introduced more variety in their beer palate. Back in 2017, even Heineken, which is generally considered to be a conservative brewery in terms of the variety of their portfolio, launched a non-alcoholic beer know as Heineken 0.0. This beer was such a hit that the beverage was considered to be the most successful innovation in the Netherlands in 2017.
