Could a Few More Beers Help Spain’s Bars? What the Latest Figures Mean for Lanzarote
Spain’s relationship with beer is changing – and the latest figures could have an interesting impact on bars, restaurants and tourism destinations such as Lanzarote.
Holidaymakers visiting Spain are being encouraged, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, to raise a glass to the country’s hospitality industry after new figures revealed that beer consumption among Spanish residents outside the home has fallen significantly in recent years.
But there is more to the story than simply saying that people in Spain are drinking less beer.
Spain is drinking less beer outside the home
Figures from Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food show a broader reduction in consumption away from home. Between 2022 and 2025, consumption of drinks outside the home fell by 9.4%, while beer consumption has been one of the biggest contributors to that decline.
Beer consumed outside the home amounted to 18.4 litres per person in 2025, compared with 19.9 litres in 2024. The latest figures represent a 16.1% reduction in out-of-home beer consumption among Spanish residents since 2022.
There are several possible reasons behind the change.
Higher living costs, tighter household budgets and changing leisure habits are encouraging people to think more carefully about how often they eat and drink out. Health and wellbeing are also playing a role, with alcohol-free and low-alcohol alternatives becoming increasingly common.
And this doesn’t necessarily mean that Spain has suddenly fallen out of love with beer.
Tourists are telling a different story
This is where the figures become particularly interesting for Lanzarote tourism.
According to Cerveceros de España, beer consumption by tourists in Spanish hospitality venues increased by 4.1% during 2025.
The brewing industry estimates that tourists account for around 30% of beer consumed in Spain, with British and German visitors among the most significant international consumer groups.
So while Spanish residents are becoming more cautious about spending and drinking outside the home, international visitors are helping to support demand in Spain’s bars, cafés, restaurants and hotels.
That distinction is particularly relevant to a holiday destination like Lanzarote.
Why does this matter in Lanzarote?
Lanzarote has an exceptionally international tourism market.
The island welcomed approximately 3.46 million tourists in 2025, with more than 3.14 million coming from international markets. The United Kingdom remains by far the island’s biggest source market, accounting for more than 1.68 million visitors during the year.
That means the fortunes of local Lanzarote bars and restaurants are closely connected to international visitor spending.
For many holidaymakers, sitting outside with a cold beer, enjoying a drink alongside lunch or having something at a beachside bar is part of the experience of being on holiday in Lanzarote.
From Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca to Costa Teguise, hospitality businesses depend not only on the number of people visiting the island, but also on how visitors choose to spend their money while they’re here.
It’s not really about drinking more
Despite the catchy headline suggesting that tourists should drink more beer, the reality is rather more balanced.
Nobody needs to drink alcohol simply to support a local business.
The bigger message is about spending locally.
Having lunch at an independent restaurant, ordering a coffee at a local café, enjoying a soft drink on a terrace, choosing an alcohol-free beer or stopping for tapas all contribute to the hospitality economy.
In fact, Spain’s brewing industry is seeing particularly strong growth in alcohol-free beer.
Sales of non-alcoholic beer increased by 4.6% in 2025, reaching around 3.3 million hectolitres and accounting for approximately 14% of beer consumed in Spain.
That means visitors who don’t drink alcohol can still be part of the picture.
Spain’s beer market isn’t collapsing
There’s another important detail behind the headlines.
Although beer consumption by Spanish residents has fallen, the overall Spanish beer market in 2025 remained 2.7% above its 2022 level, according to Cerveceros de España.
Overall beer sales were around 38.2 million hectolitres in 2025, approximately 1% below the previous year. Sales through the hospitality sector fell by 2.4%, while distribution through shops and supermarkets increased slightly.
So the story isn’t one of Spain suddenly abandoning beer.
Instead, where and how people consume beer is changing.
What does this mean for Lanzarote residents?
For people living on the island, the figures highlight something much bigger than beer.
Lanzarote’s bars, restaurants, cafés and other hospitality businesses form an important part of the local economy. Tourism provides a huge customer base, but businesses also rely on residents throughout the year.
Supporting local businesses doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune.
A coffee, breakfast, lunch, evening meal, soft drink or the occasional beer all help keep money circulating within the local economy.
And for visitors, choosing an independent Lanzarote business rather than relying entirely on supermarkets or self-catering can be a simple way of experiencing more of the island while supporting the people who live and work here.
Lanzarote’s tourism industry has plenty to celebrate
The latest tourism figures show that Lanzarote remains an extremely popular holiday destination.
The island recorded 3,455,200 tourists in 2025, an increase of 1.4% compared with 2024. The British market remained particularly important, with 1,685,496 visitors from the UK during the year.
For Lanzarote tourism, that international audience provides an important counterbalance to changing spending habits among Spanish residents.
So if you’re enjoying your Lanzarote holiday, there’s no need to feel obliged to order another beer for the sake of the economy.
But if you fancy one while watching the sunset from a local terrace… well, someone has to do their bit.
