Cultural change is killing our beer

BEER drinking, the pastime that helped define our nation's culture, has hit its lowest level in 62 years. 
 
Guilt over our expanding waistlines and the search for a more refined tipple is being blamed for the downturn.
The average beer drinker now consumes just a six-pack a week.

Not since the first Holden rolled off the production line in 1948 have Aussies drunk less beer.
ABS data released yesterday showed the consumption of beer fell from 4.62 litres to 4.56 litres per capita in the year to June, the lowest result since 1947-48.

The average lover of booze now guzzles just two litres of the brew - or about a six-pack - each week.
It pales in comparison to a spike in the mid-70s when we happily consumed 3.7 litres - or about 11 stubbies each.

"There are a number of contributors over time. In the late '70s and '80s there was the implementation of tougher drink-driving regulations coming through," he said.

"But now there is considerably more market choice and people are opting for quality over quantity."
Figures show consumption of full-strength beer fell from 3.82 to 3.78 litres per capita, mid-strength rose from 0.56 to 0.57 and low strength fell from 0.24 to 0.22 litres.

Meanwhile, wine consumption rose from 3.73 to 3.81 litres in the last financial year.