Hops and Beer in Numbers

Hops & Beer Around the World: Tipsy Trip Thru Global Brew Stats

Reading Time: around 6 min

Beer lovers, get ready for a hoppy adventure! Ever wondered how many pints are chugged around the globe? Or how many hops it takes to keep the world’s beer taps flowing? Let’s dive into the frothy numbers that make the beer world go round.

In 2023, hop farmers harvested a mind-boggling…

…118,415 metric tons of hops worldwide. 

That’s enough to fill 47 Olympic-sized swimming pools! Imagine diving into that sea of green gold. The European Union leads the pack in hop production, with the United States hot on its heels. But don’t worry, there’s plenty to go around for your next pint.

Speaking of pints, did you know that global beer production tops 1.8 billion hectoliters annually? That’s roughly 317 billion pints! From the crisp lagers of Germany to the hoppy IPAs of America, there’s a brew for every taste bud. 

So next time you raise a glass, remember you’re part of a worldwide suds celebration.

Key Takeaways

  • Global hop production reached 118,415 metric tons in 2023, with the EU and US leading the way
  • Beer production worldwide exceeds 1.8 billion hectoliters annually
  • The hop and beer industries continue to grow, driven by craft brewing and changing consumer tastes

 

Around the World in 80 Beers: Global Beer Market Overview

Ready for a globe-trotting beer adventure? Let’s dive into the foamy world of brews and hops. You’ll be amazed at how much beer is sloshing around out there!

The Big Brewers: Top Countries by Beer Production

Ever wonder where all that beer comes from? China’s the king of the keg, brewing up a whopping 341 million hectoliters in 2020. The USA comes in second, pumping out 211 million hectoliters. 

Brazil and Mexico are battling it out for third place, each producing around 140 million hectoliters. Germany, the land of Oktoberfest, rounds out the top 5 with 87 million hectoliters.

But what about hops? The USA leads the pack, growing over 50,000 tons annually. Germany’s not far behind, with the Czech Republic and China hopping along in third and fourth.

Sipping Stats: Beer Consumption Figures

Now, who’s drinking all this beer? The Czech Republic takes the crown, with each person guzzling about 188 liters per year. That’s like chugging a beer every day and still having some left over!

Austria and Germany aren’t far behind, each downing around 100 liters per person annually. The USA? You’re sipping about 75 liters each year.

And all that beer uses about 250,000 tons of hops. Cheers to that!

Cultivating Green Gold: Worldwide Hop Production

Hop farming is a global affair, with acres of these aromatic cones stretching from the Pacific Northwest to the fields of Poland. You’ll be amazed at how these little green nuggets have taken root across continents.

America’s Hop Heartlands: Pacific Northwest Profusion

Ever wondered where your IPA’s punch comes from? Look no further than the good ol’ USA. The Pacific Northwest is the hop capital of the world, pumping out a whopping 116 million pounds in 2021. That’s enough to make your head spin!

Washington state is the big cheese, growing 69% of all U.S. hops. The Yakima Valley is where the magic happens. Oregon and Idaho chip in too, with their Willamette and Treasure Valleys.

Popular hop varieties:

  • Citra (15.9%)
  • CTZ (13.3%)
  • Mosaic (11.8%)

 

The Noble Hop Heirs of Hallertau

Germany’s Hallertau region is like the royal family of hops. It’s the largest continuous hop-growing area in the world. You’d think they’d be tired of beer by now, but nope!

These fields have been cranking out noble hops for centuries. Varieties like Hallertauer Mittelfrüh give German lagers their distinct flavor. It’s like a time machine in your glass!

Fun fact: German hop farmers often pass down their knowledge through generations.

Talk about a family tradition!

Hop Growers’ Map: Spanning Spain to New Zealand

Hops are world travelers, just like you! From sunny Spain to the land of kiwis, these plants have found homes in some unexpected places.

China’s hop production might surprise you. They’re quietly climbing the ranks. Poland’s in the game too, keeping Eastern Europe well-hopped.

Down under, Australia and New Zealand are making waves. Kiwi hops like Nelson Sauvin are so unique, they’re like the craft beer world’s secret weapon.

Spain’s hop scene? It’s bigger than England’s! Who would’ve thought? It just goes to show, there’s always room for surprises in the world of hops.

Craft Beer Crusades: The Flavor Frontier

Buckle up, beer buddy! We’re about to embark on a hoppy adventure through the wild world of craft beer. Get ready for a taste explosion that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.

Crafting Revolution: Small-scale Brewers Big Impact

Ever wonder how David beat Goliath? Well, craft brewers are pulling off the same trick in the beer world. These plucky underdogs are shaking things up big time. In the USA alone, craft brewers pumped out 24.8 million barrels in 2022.

That’s enough to fill 8,267 Olympic-sized swimming pools!

But it’s not just about quantity. These flavor wizards are cooking up some seriously funky brews. Pumpkin ale? Check. Beetroot beer? You bet. They’re tossing everything but the kitchen sink into their tanks. And guess what?

Beer lovers are eating (or should I say drinking) it up.

Aroma Warriors: The Rise of Aroma Hops

Hold onto your noses, folks! Aroma hops are the new rock stars of the beer world. These fragrant little cones are turning ordinary brews into olfactory orgasms. Craft brewers are going nuts for varieties like Mosaic and Nelson Sauvin.

Why the hype? Well, these hops pack a punch of flavor without the bitter bite. They’re like the cool kids at school – everyone wants to hang out with them. In 2022, U.S. hop growers harvested a whopping 116 million pounds of hops. 

That’s enough to make 51 billion pints of IPA!

So next time you crack open a craft beer, give it a good sniff. 

You might just smell the revolution brewing.

Hop ‘Tistics: Crunching the Numbers

Ready to dive into the world of hops? Let’s explore the fields where your beer’s flavor is born and the mountains of green gold harvested each year.

The Acreage Saga: Land Devoted to Hops

Picture this: a sea of hop bines stretching as far as the eye can see. In 2021, farmers around the globe dedicated a whopping 62,886 hectares to growing hops. That’s like 88,000 soccer fields full of beer’s favorite flower!

The USA is killing it in the hop game. 

Washington state alone grows 69% of all American hops. You could say the Pacific Northwest is where hops go to college and get their Ph.D. in Bitter Brewing.

Want to impress your friends at the next pub quiz? Drop this nugget: hop acreage has been on the up and up for eight years straight. It’s like these plants are on a mission to take over the world, one beer at a time.

In Ton-nes of Trouble? The Hop Report

Hold onto your pint glasses, folks! The global hop harvest is measured in mind-boggling numbers. We’re talking millions of pounds here.

In 2021, the USA alone churned out 116 million pounds of hops. That’s heavier than 58,000 cars! And the variety is wild – from Citra to Mosaic, it’s like a flavor rainbow for your taste buds.

But it’s not just about quantity. 

Brewers are all about that alpha acid content. It’s the secret sauce that gives your IPA its bite. So next time you sip your favorite brew, remember there’s a whole world of hop math behind that hoppy goodness in your glass.

Picture of Damian

Damian

A lifelong learner, hop enthusiast and a lover of the state of extreme exhaustion.

Finance Analyst in the Investment Bank and co-founder of hopsmatcher.com