Comparison on water footprint of beer industry between the Czech Republic and Germany

Bc. Andrea Pacáková, MSc. MBA

Diplomová práce

Abstract:

The brewing industry is classified among industrial sectors with high water consumption, with its volume influenced by regional conditions and applied technological processes. This thesis presents a comparative analysis of the water footprint of beer production in the Czech Republic and Germany, assessing water consumption in different phases of the brewing process and identifying key differences between the two countries. Based on the conducted research, the average annual production of small breweries in the Czech Republic reaches 1 562 hectoliters, whereas in Germany, it amounts to 5 511 hectoliters. For medium-sized breweries, production is recorded at 120 000 hectoliters in the Czech Republic and 217 000 hectoliters in Germany, while large breweries produce 1 863 750 hectoliters in the Czech Republic and 1 600 000 hectoliters in Germany. A broader production range was observed in German breweries. Statistical analysis did not confirm a significant difference in total annual water consumption between the Czech Republic and Germany (p = 0.626), indicating similarities in technological processes and operational efficiency. A detailed analysis of water consumption in different production phases revealed that the largest share of water is used for sanitation and equipment cleaning (60% in the Czech Republic, 41% in Germany) and the brewing process (36% in the Czech Republic, 42% in Germany). Statistical tests did not identify significant differences between the two countries in water consumption during brewing (p = 0.409), cooling (p = 0.564), cleaning (p = 0.082), and fermentation (p = 0.166). However, a significant difference was found in the packaging phase (p = 0.032), suggesting distinct technological approaches to optimizing water consumption. Based on the findings, a broader implementation of modern water-saving technologies, more efficient consumption monitoring, and a stronger emphasis on sustainable water management strategies are recommended to reduce the overall water footprint of the brewing industry.

Keywords

Brewing industry, water footprint, Czech Republic, Germany

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 26. 3. 2025

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 20. 5. 2025
• Vedoucí: doc. Zhongbing Chen
• Oponent: Monika Vitvarová, externi

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta životního prostředí

Magisterský studijní program:
Regionální environmentální správa