Beer-drinking image takes another blow

Press, 2 August 1979, Page 2

Beer-drinking image takes another blow

PA Wellington The shock and horror stories continue . . . First the All Blacks lose two tests in a row, and now this . . . The rugby, racing, and beer image of the good, keen New Zealander has taken another blow, this time from a Department of Statistics news release. To add to the news that New Zealanders are not much good at rugby these days is the information that they are not much better at beer consumption. In just one month, earlier this year, beer consumption sank by 7,579,000 litres, or about 15 per cent. Industry sources say the big increases in prices earlier this year are partly to blame. But the continued loss of population also plays a part. In May this year, 39,505,000 litres of beer and stout were consumed. In June, only 31,926,000 litres went down consumers’ throats. One brewery industry source suggested that perhaps beer drinkers were moving over to sherry,

but on reflection admitted that did not sound likely. “Most beer drinkers remain beer drinkers,” he said. “I guess they are just drinking less.” The brewing industry was feeling the pinch produced by price rises, he said, and was not in a position to project trends. He believed the breweries were not likely to recover lost ground until New Zealand saw population growth again. “The young people, the beer drinkers, are all going over to Australia,” he said. Most beer drinkers are aged between 20 and 40, and they take their refreshments at their local. People are still showing up at the hotels, but the price of beer seems to be inhibiting them. A substantial part of the loss in consumption has come in bulk beer sales. The regular anti-drink-ing-and-driving campaigns have changed consumption patterns, but not volume. People drink less bulk beer, but buy more bottled beer for drinking at home. The price rises are even holding baric on this.