But overall we are drinking less alcohol than any time in the past 50 years
The Australian Bureau of Statistics found there were 9.7 litres of pure alcohol available for consumption for every Australian aged 15 years and over in 2013-14 – the equivalent of 2.1 standard drinks per person per day. (And here I was, thinking the drinking age was 18!)
ABS spokeswoman Louise Gates said this was the lowest level of alcohol consumption since the early 1960s. Which kind of makes sense if you are a fan of Mad Men. Watching that show, all they seem to do is drink, smoke and sleep on the couch or have sex on the couch. I have been told by reliable sources that it is a pretty accurate representation of the working place back in the 1960’s and 70’s. It is no wonder the alcohol consumption has come down, we all have to work now.
I do remember some very boozy lunches back in the mid 90’s but I am sure they were very tame in comparison.
The figures show that over the past 50 years we are now drinking less beer – a lot less beer. Total beer consumption fell from 75% to 41%.
We are drinking more wine – YEAH!!!!, it increased from 12% to 38%
Plus more Spirits. When you factor in all the awful pre-mixed drinks the younger people seem to love– it has increased from 13% to 19%.
Have you ever tasted one of these sickly sweet drinks in a can or bottle – Truly horrible! I am told they are a stepping stone into wine- but I am not so sure!
Looking at the figures a little closer, beer consumption over the past 4 years has slightly dropped, even with all the hipsters carrying on about the virtues of Craft beer. My guess is that the spend has probably stayed the same. People are just not buying a case of VB anymore, rather they are getting a six pack of Craft beer, for about the same money. In my opinion those Craft beers are too bloody expensive!
But back to Wine
We drink more white than red – 270 million litres of white wine in 2013-14 compared with 190 million litres of red. But I reckon if we just whacked a great big tax on NZ Sauvignon Blanc this would soon even up.
The level of imported wines has also increased, due to the recent strength of the Australian dollar and the growing interest by Aussie drinkers to try something a little different.
Looking at figures can be a little time consuming and you can take a lot of contradictory positions if you want to, but I think if we can get the kids to stop drinking those awful pre-mixed drinks and drink more Riesling and less Sauvignon Blanc, then the Australian Alcohol industry and the community would be a lot healthy.
Lunch anyone?