Posted on 06/26/2005 11:08:39 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
AUSTRALIANS are drinking less full strength beer but more wine and ready-made spirits, according to figures released today.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics said full strength beer consumption fell to 80.1 litres a person in 2004 from 85.9 litres a year in 2003.
But mid-strength beer consumption increased slightly, to 15.5 litres a person from 13.8 litres previously while low strength beer consumption fell to 14.3 litres a person from 14.9 litres.
The amount of beer available for consumption fell to 1.76 billion litres, down from 1.81 billion litres.
However, it appears Australians are increasingly turning to wine, consumption of which rose to 27.5 litres a person from 26.8 litres previously.
This may be partly due to the greater availability of wine. There was almost 440 million litres of wine available for consumption in 2004, up from 432 million litres in 2003.
The amount of ready-to-drink pre-mixed spirits increased 13.8 per cent to 13.9 million litres.
Just five years earlier the bureau did not keep records on pre-mixed spirits because there was so little of it available.
The increase in available pre-mixed drinks is perhaps the driving force behind the sharp lift in consumption, which is now at 2.05 litres a person.
About two months after I stopped, the bar declared bankruptcy...I'm serious.
It all goes to show you that truly, one man CAN make a difference!!
We Texans could write the instruction manual on beer consumption.
Don't tell me you Aussies are getting all "cultured" and "sophisticated" on us?
Then again, there is a serious worldwide glut of decent wine. But promise you won't drink any that doesn't come out of a box.
Not in Milspec's humble abode!!! AND we (me, myself, and I) get to smoke too!.
The only way Texans would ever drink less beer is if the days got shorter.
And that's easy to fix by just drinking faster.
Gracious. That's a pretty significant "per person" consumption of alcohol -- and if you factor in that "per adult" is going to be even higher than the "per person" figure, well, it means that the Aussies that I have met were not statistical outliers by any means.
I used to brew my own beer, but lost interest in it because drinking it left me so full. I've since turned on to wine, but lost interest again and turned to cigars and scotch. Again, lost interest and turned to roasting and brewing my own coffee now. The whole cycle is about to collapse because last night I found a good deal on an ice cream maker. I should have stuck with beer...
And you wonder why the French are complaining. The French used to corner the wine business worldwide but competition from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Australia and the United States will likely force the French to seriously cut back production of most of their wines (with the likely exception of champagne).
In Texas its 6%.
I'm doing my part too. Somebody is really slacking off.
BTTT
I have never thought it was a coincidence that there are 24 cans of beer in a case and 24 hours in a day.
Actually, I have had to leave beer behind after 40. It makes me gain weight at a quite impressive rate anymore. I had to resort to dry red wine - such as Merlot. If I want a light refreshing drink, I mix it with Diet Sierra Mist.
And that's easy to fix by just drinking faster.
I'd better start practicing to drink my beers faster now. You know, so I'm ready in case the days do get shorter.
One time I heard someone on Art Bell say that could happen.
Uhhh, last I checked it was always 3.2%, same as here in Iowa. Noone told me on a trip to Minneapolis that it's 6.0% up there. Four beers and I was getting a little snockered.
I attended University of Texas and pledged a fraternity. I was a musician then and now, so my friends and I can consume mucho cerveza, so if beer consumption is down, it's not because of us.
Just reporting in. :)
Wine ping.
Wisconsin's doing her part; 28.6 GALLONS per household per year. I'd believe it.
"BEER CONSUMPTION BY STATE
Where do all the states rank for beer consumption per year? Check out this beer consumption chart to see which states are leading the pack! The figures are in gallons of beer per household per year (GPHPY). New York is almost last... that means our mission is clear. We need to pick up the slack for New York and do whatever necessary to bring up our figures next year. Get to work."
http://www.pubdeuce.com/SCP/Beer_consumption.htm
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