As experts in the beverage industry drawing from authoritative surveys like those by Nederlandse Brouwers, we've analyzed the latest data on Dutch beer consumption. Lager remains the top choice, with 53% of Dutch consumers favoring familiar local brews for their taste and regional appeal. Overall, 48% enjoy beer at least monthly—a habit more common among men (66%) than women (30%), and higher among the more educated (57% high, 51% medium, 37% low education levels). Specialty beers and mixes are surging: 40% of drinkers experiment with varieties, drawn by diverse options (42%) and tap selections (43%). This has boosted beer's edge over other alcoholic drinks (40% vs. 32% in 2016), especially among women (44% vs. 38% for men). These findings stem from a survey of 1,000 Dutch beer drinkers by Nederlandse Brouwers.
Low-alcohol specialty beers are gaining traction, with one in three drinkers choosing them more frequently than two years prior—particularly women (41%) over men (29%). Alcohol-free beers hold steady popularity, chosen sometimes by half of drinkers, while non-alcoholic mixes like Radlers lead at 66%. They're ideal for warm weather due to refreshing flavors. Dutch drinkers predict beer mixes and innovative beer-food pairings as top 2018 trends.
Beer-food pairings are emerging strongly: one in three drinkers select beer to complement meals, though matching proves challenging. Nearly half (46%) appreciate tailored recommendations in hospitality settings, and 50% view beer advice as a natural extension of wine pairings.
