Core Insights - Beer sales in Germany experienced the steepest annual decline since 1993, with a total of approximately 7.8 billion litres sold in 2025, marking a 6% decrease from the previous year [1] - The decline in beer sales is part of a long-term downward trend, with sales in 2025 being 18.9% lower than in 2015, equating to a reduction of 1.8 billion litres [2] Sales Breakdown - Domestic beer sales accounted for 82.5% of total sales in 2025, falling 5.8% year-on-year to 6.4 billion litres, while tax-free sales, including exports and "company beer," decreased by 7% to 1.4 billion litres [4] - Beer mixes, which include combinations with lemonade, cola, and fruit juices, also saw a decline of 5.2% compared to 2024, totaling 402 million litres, or 5.2% of total beer sales [5] Market Sentiment and Challenges - The Deutscher Brauer-Bund (DBB) attributed the decline in beer sales to weak consumer sentiment, noting that breweries are affected by consumers' reluctance to spend [3] - The brewing industry continues to face cost pressures, particularly related to energy and wages, emphasizing the need for a reliable and competitive energy policy [3]