Harry Dalian observes and discusses how beer growing in popularity in France, while wine is losing favor.

1. Beer Growing in Popularity in France! ! France has long had a reputation for focusing
on drinking wine. However, according to an
article recently completed for Wine Searcher,
that fact has been in the process of changing
in recent years. Three decades ago, the
industry of microbreweries in France was on
the verge of extinction. However that is in
the process of changing; within recent years,
the United States claimed the title of the
world’s largest wine consumer, taking the title
from France. In addition, figures recently
reported indicate that over seventy percent of
the French people consider themselves
clueless in regards to wine. !
! !
Combining all these facts, it makes it less surprising that the French are in the process of
turning towards beer as the alcohol of choice instead of wine. As a result, the number of
microbreweries has increased incredibly in the last few years. Since 2010, the number of small
breweries in the country has doubled. In 2010, there were only three hundred and thirty four
microbreweries in the country; by 2013, that number had increased to six hundred small
breweries. There are also now twenty microbrew bars with unique beers on tap and over one
hundred and fifty others available in a bottle. Several well known microbrew bars in the country
include Le Supercoin, Express de Lyon and La Fine Mousse. With all of these options
available, craft beers are now able to be purchased very cheaply in the country, sometimes with
prices as low as ten euros a bottle, which is the equivalent of thirteen American dollars a bottle. !
! !
Despite all of this, France still consumes less beer than its European neighbors, and what they
do choose to drink is often softer, less bitter and more refined than the typical choice in beer. In
general, craft beers only account for just barely three percent of the beverage market in France.
However, as the microbreweries continue to be created and developed, more unique and craft
beers are brought about. This allows for more options, which could motivate even the wary
consumer to give beer a try; in essence, with more craft beers, there is nearly a beer for
everyone.