N.Z. seventh on beer list

Press, 12 September 1987, Page 37

N.Z. seventh on beer list

By

HELENA WISNIEWSKI

NZPA London New Zealand is the seventh-blggest beerdrinking nation in the world, according to a survey published by Britain’s Brewers’ Society. The average New Zealander drinks 114.8 litres of beer a year — half a glass less than his Australian rival, who consumes 115 litres. Topping the list of big drinkers are the central Europeans — led by the West Germans, who drink 145.8 litres a head, and closely followed by their neighbours in East Germany, Czechoslovakia,

Denmark and Belgium. Lagging in tenth place are the British, who drink 108 litres a head, in spite Britian’s position as the fourth-largest beer producer in the world. “Britain’s drinkers,” the society said, “remain moderate compared with the rest of the world.” For the health conscious, however, there is consolation in the fact that over the last decade beer consumption in New Zealand •— as in the rest of the world — has dropped. In 1986 the average New Zealander drank five litres more than he or she does today.