Dutch beer enthusiasts are increasingly open to the expanding array of beer styles on offer. Yet, when it comes to selecting one, familiar flavors and trusted brands carry the most weight. These findings emerge from the National Beer Survey by the Dutch Brewers association, based on responses from 1,059 beer-drinking Dutch adults.
Taste tops the list for 70% of beer consumers. Familiarity follows at 40%, then beer type (37%), price (35%), and brand (33%). The broadening beer selection doesn't intimidate drinkers—in fact, younger adults aged 18-49 experiment more than those 65 and older.
A classic beer grab remains hugely popular, especially at family parties (62%), home gatherings (59%), or drinks with friends (55%). Those who choose alcohol-free, low-alcohol, or no-alcohol beers report doing so more often than two years ago, with 57% of 18-29-year-olds leading the trend.
Taste preferences vary by gender but unite on fresh and fruity notes (41% favorite). Men favor spicy (23%) and bitter (20%) beers, while women prefer sweet (24%) and caramel (18%). The ideal alcohol content, per respondents? A balanced 4.9%.
Over half (55%) of Dutch beer drinkers see beer as a great food pairing, and in 2019, one in three selected a matching beer for their meal.
Other beer facts 2019:
- Two out of three beer drinkers welcome the growing selection and enjoy trying unknowns. Older drinkers are less adventurous (50%).
- Most stick to the same beer type (61%) and brand (53%).
- Men prioritize brand (35%), unknowns (18%), and brewer origin (13%) more.
- Half mistakenly equate two brown cheese sandwiches (320 calories) with a lager glass (115 calories). One in five (21%) thinks a 250 ml non-alcoholic beer (58 kcal) has more calories than lager.
- 42% of beer drinkers know beer's ingredients well.
