“The Germans’ desire for beer is continuing to fall

Beside the financial crisis a combination of an ageing population, changing drinking habits among younger people and the smoking ban which hit pubs and bars, had led to the drop in beer sales.

 The average German drank two litres
less beer last year
than in 2007, putting the breweries into a funk, with sales from 2008
two percent down from the previous year, the brewers’ association
reports. Average consumption fell to 109.2 litres in 2008, it was 150
liter in the '70. 

Because of the smoking ban in bars and restaurants the beer consumption fell 20-25% on this places.