Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data released last week showed the consumption of beer fell from 4.62 litres to 4.56 litres per capita in the year to June, the lowest since 1947 as the consumption of wine rose from 3.73 litres to 3.81 liters per capita last year.
The per capita volume was at its lowest since it was recorded at 4.52 litres in 1947-48. By contrast, the highest level had reached 9.22 litres per person in 1974-75.
But, in terms of overall volume, beer continues to be Australia's biggest-selling alcoholic beverage. More than 81 million litres of beer was sold last year (less than in India), compared with 68 million litres of wine, according to several reports.
A United Breweries spokesman in Australia said beer remained the drink of choice for most Australians, but the range of beverage options had expanded greatly.
It seems beer drinking has become less attractive to a health-conscious market of new-generation drinkers and those watching their girths. Also, wine education was almost non-existent 30-40 years when Aussies started to drink wine, a scenario that is comparable to India only a few years ago.
The whisky and beer drinkers may not agree with the possible changing trends towards wine but Australia was in a similar situation in the 70s when beer was the king. In the coming years, the younger generation is expected to shift more towards wine because of the health benefits.
Meanwhile, Australia is reeling under the problem of grape glut. According to a news report released yesterday, wine grape growers resisted un-seasonal rains and disease to harvest 1.6 million tonnes in 2011, up 1 per cent from last year and The Winemakers' Federation of Australia data showing the wine industry needed to take decisive steps to address a wine oversupply. |