Five reasons why the timeless beer consistently tops the list of summer drinks

--- News that beer has overtaken wine as the national drink of choice in France, the world’s most famous wine country, made headlines worldwide last month ---

 

--- Beer is having its moment and Justin Kissinger, President and CEO of the World Brewing Alliance, shares his top five reasons why beer reigns supreme as the world’s favourite summer drink ---

 

Whether you’re firing up the BBQ with family, dancing in the sun at a music festival or cheering on your national team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one thing is certain: beer is at the heart of all our favourite summertime events. 

 

And right now, beer is having its moment in the spotlight. In a surprising twist last month, media outlets worldwide reported that for the first time ever, beer has overtaken wine as the national drink of choice in France, a country world-renowned for its wines. 

 

So, what is it about this timeless beverage that keeps beer at the top of the podium? 

 

Justin Kissinger, President and CEO of the World Brewing Alliance, believes he has the answers. He said: “There is so much to love about beer – from the wide variety of uniquely delicious products on offer, to the sense of community that beer inspires, as well as the wide range of lower and no-alcohol options available that allows everyone to enjoy a beer on their own terms. Whenever someone asks me what my favourite beer is, I always tell them: the one I’m currently drinking.”

 

Kissinger shares his top five reasons why an ice-cold beer reigns supreme as the season's go-to drink: 

 

Control - Beer empowers you to stay in control. Unlike hard liquor which is often free poured by eye, beer offers a reliable and standard measure. Its single-serve packaging, whether it’s in a can or a bottle, comes with clear labels, so people know exactly how much alcohol they are drinking. Brewers remove any uncertainty, empowering consumers to stay in complete control of their alcohol intake.

 

Moderation - Beer encourages you to drink moderately. Beer is the original "low and slow" beverage. It is typically lower in alcohol content than hard liquor or wine, making it moderate by nature, while the high volume of liquid in say, a pint of beer, creates a built-in pacing mechanism. Beer is perfectly aligned with the cultural shift toward mindful drinking. You can pace yourself, enjoy the afternoon, and still feel great.

 

Community - Beer brings people together. Beer has brought people together for millennia, and now, everyone can join in on their own terms. Thanks to brewers’ investment in high-quality lower and no-alcohol products, beer is more inclusive than ever before. Whether you choose to drink alcohol or not, you can still join in the age-old tradition of sharing a beer at a festival, campsite, or backyard party.

 

Refreshing - Nothing beats the taste of an ice-cold beer. Cracking open a cold one in the summer heat hits different. The unique interplay of sweet, malted barley, bitter hops, and yeast esters found in a beer is incomparable, and means even no-alcohol beers deliver a premium, flavourful experience that’s simply unmatched. 

 

Tradition - Beer is deeply woven into the fabric of our society. At its core, beer brings people together. For thousands of years, it has been the ultimate social glue, providing vital support to the local pubs, bars and restaurants that make up the heart of our communities, and it will continue to do so for thousands more.