Beer Sales in Spain Fall for the First Time Since Covid

The Post-Covid Thirst Has Finally Worn Off

Beer consumption in Spain fell by 2.8% in 2025 — the first decline since 2020, when pandemic lockdowns forced bars to close and brought social life to a halt. According to data from the Spanish Tax Agency, the years of post-pandemic rebound in beer sales have now come to an end.

It is the first meaningful contraction in the market since Covid, and it marks a turning point after several years in which Spanish drinkers — and the bars, restaurants and festivals that serve them — more than made up for what was lost during the lockdowns.

What the Numbers Show

• Beer consumption: Down 2.8% in 2025
• Beer tax revenue: Fell to €336 million
• Other alcoholic beverages and spirits: Down 1.3%, with tax revenues falling 3.8% to €793 million
• Beer price increase in 2025: A modest 1.1%

Overall excise duty revenues across all categories reached €23,083 million in 2025, up 4.3% year-on-year — meaning the drop in alcohol revenue is offset by gains elsewhere, and the broader public finances are not significantly affected.

The Pandemic Rollercoaster in Numbers

The trajectory of Spanish beer sales since 2020 tells a vivid story:

• 2020: Alcohol tax revenues plummeted 23.4%; beer specifically dropped 7.8% as bars closed and social gatherings were banned
• 2021–2022: As restrictions lifted and people returned to bars and restaurants, demand surged. By 2022, alcohol revenues had jumped 34.5% and beer was up 9.5%
• 2025: The first contraction since the pandemic — a sign that the bounce-back has run its course

What's Behind the Drop

The data suggests a combination of factors. Cost-of-living pressures on Spanish households have been significant — while beer prices rose a relatively modest 1.1% in 2025, the broader squeeze on disposable income appears to be affecting spending on alcohol and eating and drinking out.

There may also simply be a degree of normalisation after the post-pandemic surge. The pent-up demand that drove exceptional consumption in 2022 and 2023 has worked its way through the system, and spending patterns are returning to something closer to their pre-pandemic baseline.

What It Means for Spain's Bar Culture

Spain's bar and restaurant sector — one of the most vibrant in Europe — has navigated a turbulent few years. After the devastation of lockdowns, the recovery was strong. But declining beer volumes are a signal that the sector cannot take continued growth for granted, particularly as consumers become more price-conscious.

For expats who enjoy Spain's café and bar culture, the day-to-day experience is unlikely to change. But behind the scenes, the industry will be watching the 2026 figures closely to see whether this is a one-year blip or the beginning of a longer trend.

This article is based on reporting from Spanish News Today, published April 27, 2026, drawing on Spanish Tax Agency excise duty data.