International Beer Day sparks global celebrations and industry growth

On August 7, International Beer Day was marked worldwide, with New Zealand highlighting its brewing culture. The Brewers Association of New Zealand reported annual consumption of about 268 million litres, noting that low‑carb beers now make up 27 % of sales and no‑alcohol beers 2.7 %. Lager remains the dominant style at 68.7 % of the market, and the sector contributes over NZD 870 million each year in excise duty and GST.

Meanwhile, AB InBev launched the global "Cheers to Beer" campaign, featuring a new film produced with Wieden+Kennedy. CEO Michel Doukeris said the campaign underscores beer’s role in connecting people across cultures. An Ipsos/IWSR whitepaper cited in the release shows 73 % of legal‑drinking‑age adults choose beer, and no‑alcohol beer accounts for roughly 93 % of the no‑alcohol volume category. AB InBev’s Q2 2026 results reflected the trend, with revenue up 5.6 % and volume growth of 1.1 %, driven in part by expanding no‑alcohol offerings.