Ireland tops European beer consumption table
Ireland is the number one consumer of beer in Europe, according to a new report on the sector.
Irish people consumed on average 128 litres of beer per head of population in 2008 said the report produced by Ernst & Young into the beer industry in Europe.
Draught lager makes up the majority of beer sales (61%) in Ireland, with stout (33%) and ale (6%) making up the remainder.
The report also found that Ireland has the fourth-highest excise duties in Europe on beer – nine times the European average
Ireland is the third-largest exporter of domestically-produced beer behind the Netherlands and Belgium.
The report also confirms a long-standing difference in drinking cultures between Ireland and its fellow European nations.
Non-Irish European nations purchase 60% of their beer for home consumption from supermarkets and off-licences unlike their Irish counterparts, who only purchase and consume 31% of beer in this manner; rather choosing to purchase and consume the majority of beer in pubs and hotels.
However, the report confirms that this trend has been changing since 2007 as beer consumption in the Irish hospitality industry has dropped by 4%, whilst beer purchases in shops and off-licences has increased by over 8% over the same time.
The introduction of the smoking ban in Irish hospitality venues is believed to have contributed to this trend.
The report also shows that despite a less favourable economic environment, Europe has defended its leading position as the world’s largest beer producer.
With a yearly production of 427 million hectolitres (hl), Europe remained ahead of China (393 million hl) and the US (234 million hl), the report stated, which was conducted in all 27 EU countries plus Norway, Switzerland, Croatia and Turkey.
Germany remains Europe’s largest beer producer (103 million hectolitres), followed by the UK (49.5 million hl), Poland (36.9 million hl) and Spain (33.4 million hl).
“This report proves that Ireland's beer sector remains a key component of our export economy and the Government needs to ensure that their future approach to taxation policy does not further negatively impact an industry already heavily burdened by taxation," said Dermot Quinn of Ernst & Young.
“In the current environment it is important to protect any industry which is bringing in revenue and sustains jobs," Quinn added.
"Business conditions for the brewing industry must remain competitive if we are to sustain the current benefits of this export market brings to Ireland."
