Asia’s growing middle class is a key driver for growth in global beer consumption as craft and premium segments continue to surge

The global beer market is undergoing a significant transformation, with Asia-Pacific emerging as the engine of growth, according to a recent report by Mordor Intelligence. Estimated at about USD805 billion in 2025, the market is forecast to reach nearly USD1 trillion by 2030, expanding at a steady 4.42% compound annual growth rate.

While Europe remains the traditional home of craft beer and North America continues to innovate with new styles, Asia is driving volume through its growing middle class and rising disposable incomes. The region already commands nearly 29% of the global market, led by China, Vietnam and India, and is projected to expand at 4.63% annually over the next five years.

Consumer tastes are shifting dramatically, however. Lager still dominates with an 86% market share, but ales and craft styles are gaining traction, particularly among millennials and Gen Z. In India, breweries such as Bira 91, Simba and Arbor are experimenting with wheat beers, IPAs and stouts infused with local flavours like mango and kokum, mirroring global preferences for distinctive and seasonal offerings. This appetite for variety is reshaping markets that were once reliant on standard, mass-produced lagers.

Premiumisation is another defining trend. While standard beer still accounts for over three-quarters of global consumption, premium brands are growing faster at nearly 5% CAGR. Rising incomes across Asia, coupled with the perception of beer as a lifestyle product, are fuelling demand for higher-end brews. In markets such as South Korea, policy changes have further boosted premium imports, with U.S. beer exports surging in 2023.

Packaging and distribution are also evolving. Bottles remain dominant, but cans—valued for convenience and sustainability—are the fastest-growing format. Off-trade sales via supermarkets and e-commerce are also expanding quickly, particularly in Asia where home consumption is rising.

For global brewers, the opportunities lie in balancing tradition with innovation. Heineken’s new “Studio” platform, which allows consumers to customise beer flavour and alcohol levels, exemplifies how the industry is experimenting to stay relevant. Meanwhile, Indian craft collaborations, such as Simba’s partnership with Rolling Mills Brewery, highlight innovation in emerging markets.

With consumer health trends spurring growth in low- and no-alcohol beers, alongside regulatory pressures and raw material challenges, the market remains complex. Still, the trajectory seems clear: Asia’s taste for beer, coupled with a global pivot towards craft, premium and sustainable production, is reshaping the world’s beer industry.