Global beer consumption expected to be a whopping 800 million cases down on last year.
The outlook for 2020 is forecasting the world's beer drinkers will consume 82 million litres less beer than 2019 - almost a 4.5 per cent drop, taking levels back to those of 10 years ago.
While at-home consumption has lifted, it has not made up for the drops experienced outside the home, most notably at large-scale events.
Rabobank senior grain and oilseed analyst Cheryl Kalish Gordon said there was a tendency for most people to drink more when at large gatherings or special occasions, than when at home.
"The locations that will be most affected are those with a higher degree of on-premises drinking," she said.
"This includes craft brewers, which typically rely on consumption at the premises as part of the experience."
Dr Kalish Gordon said the postponement of live sporting events such as the Australian Football League, the National Rugby League and soccer events would have an effect, echoed globally, particularly with the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics.
While there are signs of lockdown restrictions easing, she said this would involve many steps before Australia would likely return to large-scale gatherings, and any celebrations would not make up for the deficit.
Other countries would likely take even longer to reach that stage.
Coopers Brewery malting manager Doug Stewart is not expecting the major brewer to reduce its demand for SA malt barley in the foreseeable future.
Farmers will still be able to make good money for their barley this year, but they might have to revise their expectations.
- CHERYL KALISH GORDON