Sales of alcohol-free beer rose by 25% in Ireland last year, according to new statistics, reports RTE.
The data, published by the Drinks Ireland organisation, also highlights that production of non-alcoholic beer increased by 77% during 2024.
The study indicates that ‘zero-zero’ beer now makes up over 2.5% of the total beer market — a 150% jump in market share over the last five years, reports RTE.
The Annual Beer Market Report states that this sharp rise “reflects a clear and growing consumer appetite for products that support a culture of responsible consumption and a response by industry through investment in brewing capacity, innovation, and new product development.”
Beer still holds its position as Ireland’s most consumed alcoholic drink, accounting for 43.3% of the overall market last year — up nearly 1% from 2023, reports RTE.
The findings also show beer production increased by 10.7% in 2024, largely driven by overseas demand.
However, total beer sales declined by 1.6%, marking a second straight year of reduced sales, with individual consumption also dropping by almost 3%.
Drinks Ireland notes that this decline fits with the long-term decrease in alcohol consumption, which has gone down by 34% over the past two decades, reports RTE.
The report states that 63.7% of all beer sold was through the on-trade channel, which includes bars, hotels, and restaurants.
This figure is consistent with 2023 levels, reports RTE.
Lager maintained its position as the leading beer type in Ireland, though it saw a slight dip for the second year in a row, now making up 57.2% of the market.
Meanwhile, stout continued to expand its market share, increasing by almost 1% to 35.9%, while ale dropped by 10% to just 4.4%, reports RTE.
The report also points out that beer exports from Ireland grew further in 2024, up 3.8% year-on-year, reaching €330 million.
According to Drinks Ireland, this growth continues the post-pandemic recovery of beer exports that began in 2022.
Almost half of Irish beer exports went to the UK, followed by 14% to the U.S., 10% to France, and 4.8% each to Germany and Canada, reports RTE.
The group, which represents the alcoholic drinks sector, also reported that Ireland retained the second-highest alcohol excise rate among EU nations and the UK in 2024.
Over the past ten years, the beer industry has paid more than €4.4 billion in excise duty, reports RTE.
The report highlights that for every pint of lager sold, €1.70 goes to Revenue in the form of VAT and excise.
Cormac Healy, Director of Drinks Ireland, said that the country’s beer sector “continues to be resilient, adaptable and innovative.”
Mr Healy noted that although domestic beer drinking is falling, export numbers are climbing — but challenges persist internationally.
“Exports to the United States – Ireland’s second-largest market – now face a 15% tariff, a weaker dollar, and ongoing trade uncertainty,” reports RTE.
“This presents a challenging environment for all exporters,” reports RTE.
Healy expressed support for Irish and EU efforts to eliminate new trade barriers and return to a tariff-free trading setup.
“Additionally, beer cans are now faced with a further steel/ aluminium linked tariff which needs to be removed,” he says, reports RTE.
He also called for more state funding via organisations like Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland to help boost export markets and encourage diversification.
Mr Healy also welcomed the ongoing expansion of the zero-alcohol beer segment, reports RTE.
He added that the latest figures indicate that “consumers are continuing to choose moderation”.
“Ireland must ensure that this growth opportunity is not undermined by restrictive or disproportionate regulation,” reports RTE.
He pointed out that “one in 15 beers consumed across the EU is now a non-alcohol beer.”
“We predict consumption levels in Ireland can reach similar levels with proper government support,” reports RTE.
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