Beer going global?

An analysis of the importance of beer, wine and spirits in the different regions of the world over the past 50 years (1960-2007) shows that on a world level the absolute global consumption volume of all three alcoholic beverages increased, and that the proportion of beer in total alcoholic beverages consumption has increased as more countries are defined as beer drinking in 2007 than in 1960. Today beer is the most important alcoholic drink worldwide, both in terms of volume and value. While the differences in the type of preferred alcoholic drink and the amount of consumption in the different regions may be explained by cultural preferences (e.g. its local traditions, such as a preference for spirits over beer or wine) and differences in alcohol content (e.g. people will drink less vodka, volume wise, than beer), a country’s beer/wine/spirits consumption level and pattern have been influenced by other factors as well such as its climatic conditions, its exposure to international trade, etc. The goal of this paper is to give an overview of the differences in global and national consumption patterns and preferences of beer between 1960 and 2007, and to uncover the reasons behind these differences.status: submitte