Aussie drinking habits revealed in alcohol consumption report

AUSTRALIANS are turning into a nation of red and white wine drinkers but tradies still love a beer, a report on our alcohol consumption has found.

BEER drinkers are most brand loyal, our taste for wine improves with age, and Baby Boomers are the biggest boozers, a report has found.

Nine in 10 adults surveyed for the Australian Consumer Drinking Habits study said they drank some amount of alcohol.

Most were classified as moderate or light drinkers.

Value-priced and premium red and white wine toppled major beer labels as the most frequently bought.

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More men than women said they drank red wine, while white was slightly more popular with females.

Tradies were most likely to frequently down a full or mid-strength beer, and many women avoided light beer, scotch and bourbon.

Ami Denniss, 28, Juanita Bahl, 27, John Steer, 52 and Natasha Busbridge, 31, toast to the new study. Picture: Tim Carrafa.

The younger generation had the strongest thirst for cider and cocktails.

The report, produced by hotel and hospitality trade publisher Intermedia, also found:

BABY Boomers and retirees drank most often. One in four aged 60-69 said they drank alcohol most days, compared with one in 12 aged under 30.

ONE in four men were identified as heavy drinkers — double that of women.

ONE in 10 were teetotallers. Non-drinkers were most ­likely to be on low incomes.

ALCOHOL was most commonly consumed at home, ­especially for heavy and ­moderate drinkers.

The report focused on how frequently alcohol was bought and consumed rather than amounts consumed.

“What we found was that older, not younger, people drank more often, and most drinking occurs at home, ­particularly among heavier drinkers,” report author Graeme Philipson said.

“The overall level of consumption has declined in ­recent years, but concerns about binge drinking and ­alcohol-fuelled violence have increased.”

For those who said they’d cut alcohol intake, ready-to-drink mixes, vodka and full or mid-strength beer were the biggest cutbacks.

“Most drinkers drink at home, with over a quarter (27.6 per cent) saying they drink at home a few times a week, and 18.3 per cent saying they drink at home most days,” Mr Philipson said.

The report was based on 1027 responses to an online survey. Most people who took part were aged 40-69.

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Never — 9.4%

Once a month or less — 19.3%

Once a week or less — 21.3%

Few times a week — 32.5%

Most days — 17.5%

Source: Australian Consumer Drinking Habits report

@KarenCollierHS