One in three beers drunk in Australia now low or no-alcohol

Australia’s beer-drinking image is getting a revamp, with research showing one in three beers drunk here is now ­low-alcohol, mid-strength or has no alcohol at all.

Australia’s image as a country of heavy beer drinkers is a thing of the past, with new research showing one in three beers drunk here is now ­either low-alcohol, mid-strength or has no alcohol at all.

But while more than 30 per cent of beers drunk in Australia are now less than full strength, globally low-­alcohol beers still only ­account for 1.7 per cent of the beer sold.

The findings come from a new report by economist Kym Anderson at the ­University of Adelaide, which shows the relentless march of low-, mid- and no-strength beers.

The low- and no-alcohol share of the market has risen from 23 per cent in the 1990s and up to 28 per cent in the first decade of the 2000s, compared to more than 30 per cent in 2021.

The only countries with a higher share of low-alcohol beer sales than ­Australia are Germany and Sweden.

Australia and Sweden are the only countries in the world with substantial mid-strength consumption — with about a quarter of the beer drunk now mid-strength.

Sweden taxes mid-strength beer at a much lower rate than full-strength beer, and the report argues that if the same applied here, it would lead to more customers switching to it, leading to lower alcohol ­consumption.

Morgan Johnson and Sam Maguire enjoy a mid-strength Pacific Ale at 4 Pines Truckbar in Brookvale. Picture: Tim Hunter

Dr Anderson found “lower-alcohol beers are becoming more similar in flavour and style to full-strength beers”, and a drop in the “price of mid- relative to full-strength beers would encourage more substitution away from full-strength beer, and possibly also from wines and spirits”.

“In so doing, Australia’s overall alcohol and calorie consumption would decline,” Dr Anderson said.

Brewers Association of Australia chief executive John Preston said the report highlighted the strength of the brewing sector and its contribution to the “unparalleled progress” that has been made in Australia on responsible alcohol consumption.

“We have seen beer drinkers reduce their pure alcohol consumption by three million litres as lower-alcohol beer products have become more popular,” he said.

Morgan Johnson and Sam Maguire, both 25, said they enjoyed mid-strength beers for several reasons.

“Whether I’m driving, I’ve got a big day the next day or I’m just not in the mood for a big one, it’s great to have an option a little lighter in alcohol,” Mr Maguire said.

Ms Johnson said: “The way it tastes you wouldn’t even know you’re drinking a mid anyway, so there’s no real compromises.”

4 Pines Brewing chief executive Todd Atkinson said the company’s Pacific Ale, which is a full-flavoured mid-strength beer, had “dispelled the myth that mid-strength beers lack flavour”.

“(It’s) for consumers looking for all the taste but the moderation benefits of being lower in alcohol,” he said.

“Publicans love it too — they tell us it keeps punters around in their venues for longer.”

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Originally published as One in three beers drunk in Australia now low or no-alcohol