From COMMSEC:
The apparent consumption of alcohol consumed in the form of beer fell from 4.04 litres of pure alcohol per person (aged 15 years or more) to 4.01 litres in 2013/14. It was the lowest result in 68 years.
Consumption of full-strength beer fell from 3.32 litres to 3.28 litres; mid strength lifted from 0.58 litres to a record high of 0.61 litres;
and low strength fell from 0.15 litres to a record low of 0.13 litres. The consumption of alcohol in the form of wine slumped from 3.70 litres to an 8-year low of 3.64 litres in 2013/14. White wine consumption fell from 1.75 litres to 1.74 litres, red wine consumption fell from 1.39 litres to 1.35 litres and consumption of “other” wines (ports, sherry etc) fell from 0.56 litres to 0.55 litres.
Consumption of alcohol in the form of spirits fell from 1.95 litres to a 13-year low of 2013/14. Consumption of spirits fell from 1.29 litres to 1.23 litres. Meanwhile “ready to drink” eased from 0.65 litres to a record low of 0.61 litres.
Cider consumption continues to rise. The consumption of alcohol in the form of cider rose from 0.19 litres to 0.22 litres in 2013/14. Five years ago cider consumption was around half current levels.
Total apparent consumption of alcohol fell for the seventh straight year, down from 9.88 litres of pure alcohol per person to a 50-year low of 9.71 litres per person. As a standard drink consists of 12.5 mls of pure alcohol, this is equivalent to an average of 2.2 standard drinks per day per person aged 15 years and over.
