Canada Vs The United States: Who Drinks The Most Beer

Beer is a quasi-sacred institution in the U.S. Midwest beers taste nothing like West Coast brews and totally unlike pours on the East Coast. Meanwhile, plenty of other countries around the world prize the fermented brew just as passionately — including Canada. From popular brands like Moosehead and Molson Canadian, to the the mega-viral YouTube video that humorously asks the question that every seasoned imbiber has heard on a trip north of the border — "Out for a rip, are ya bud?" — Canadian beer-drinking culture has inspired a fanbase all its own. So, at the end of the day, who drinks more of it? The United States or Canada?

According to the Global Beer Consumption Report for 2024 by Kirin Holdings Company, the U.S. far outpaces Canada in the beer-drinking department. Per the study, the U.S. ranks second in the entire world for total beer consumption (only after China), collectively putting away 22,340 thousand kiloliters of the stuff. By comparison, Canada trailed in 19th place with 1,822 thousand kiloliters of beer during the same year. Taking the total population size of both countries into account, Canada is currently home to just under 42,000,000 people, while the U.S. is home to a much larger population of nearly 343,000,000. Yet, regardless of these differing population sizes, America still seems to be drinking Canada under the proverbial table.

According to Kirin Holdings' report, per capita beer consumption in the U.S. sits at 65.4 metric liters, the equivalent of roughly 184 12-ounce bottles of beer per person each year, on average. Considering the data table only shows the top 35 per capita beer-drinking countries, and Canada is not listed among them, it's safe to say that American beer drinkers are holding down their title. The figures are even higher in states like New Hampshire — the top drinking state in the country with 4.2 gallons of alcohol per capita per year (via NIAAA). Although, these figures encompass all alcoholic beverages, not just beer. 

It's worth noting that, on the global scale of impressive heavyweights, the U.S. ranks a somewhat measly 29th. Many other countries are home to even more accomplished imbibers. Kirin Holdings has tracked global beer consumption data since 1975, and its study includes 170 major countries around the world. The Czech Republic, Lithuania, Austria, Ireland, and Croatia lead the world in per capita beer consumption, a title all five countries have respectively held in the company's report for multiple years. The Czech Republic's stouthearted population of just over 10,500,000 has led all other nations in per capita beer consumption for a whopping 32 years in a row. Perhaps also notably, the U.S. drinks more wine per year than any other country in the world, according to the 2024 State of the U.S. Wine Industry Report by Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). Canada still lays claim to the sapphire jewel that is Labatt Blue, though, so we'll call it even.