South Korea: Beer output increases continuously since 2010

South Korea’s beer output has increased continuously since 2010, while whiskey output has declined, according to data from the National Tax Service out on December 28.

That suggests Koreans are gradually losing their taste for potent spirits and mindless inebriation and coming round to a milder buzz.

Last year beer output rose 9.2 percent compared to 2011 to 2.21 million kilolitres, but whiskey production dropped 26 percent to 17,000 kilolitres.

Output of soju, makgeolli or rice wine and whiskey all dropped.

One brewery executive said, "Beer imports are up, while competition has increased with Lotte Group entering the beer market in 2014, resulting in a wider range of product choices. The market is growing."

30 December, 2016