Chris Shanahan: Chinese drinking more beer than Americans

China now consumes more beer than the United States according to 1001beersteins.com – 28,640 megalitres a year, compared to America’s 23,974.

Australia doesn’t rank in the top 10 in total consumption. But at 104.7 litres, we still hold fifth position on a per capita basis – way behind front running Czech Republic on 158.6 litres per person. Second, third and fourth positions go to Ireland, Germany and Austria respectively. And the United Kingdom, Poland, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg and the United States occupy sixth to tenth places.

The world’s biggest brewer, ABInBev sells 18 per cent by volume of the world’s beer, followed by SAB Miller (owner since 2011 of Fosters) with 14 per cent share, Heineken on nine per cent and Carlsberg with five per cent.

China is the fastest growing beer market at 39.7 per cent, followed by Brazil (third biggest in total consumption) at 8.3 per cent.