E-Malt.com News article: New Zealand: Beer drinkers cutting back consumption to save money - survey

Beer drinkers around New Zealand are cutting back consumption in a bid to save money, a new survey from Canstar Blue shows.

The nationwide survey of beer consumers showed that nearly half of the - more than 1,300 - people surveyed in the nationwide poll had curbed their drinking, Voxy.co.nz reported on March, 21.

Derek Bonnar Canstar General Manager New Zealand says it appears that New Zealander beer drinkers are feeling the economic pinch.

"We’ve seen that in a number of ways; firstly in reduced consumption, which has been a trend in New Zealand for some time, and perhaps has become more pronounced following the global financial crisis, and secondly, in the choices consumers are making when they buy beer.

"While around a third always buy their favourite brand, a larger group - nearly 40% - say they buy whatever is on special. We love our beer, and the public is finding ways to manage its beer budget," says Bonnar.

New Zealand is a beer drinking nation and regularly features in the world’s top 20 beer consumption by capita tables, with around 70 litres drunk per person.

"We’ve moved a long way from the six o’clock swill," says Bonnar.

"The market has innovated and matured, producing low calorie and low carb beer, which are twice as popular in Auckland as the South Island, and in craft and boutique beers which more than 50% of our survey respondents like to try."

Beer drinkers were not immune to the impact of their drinking on their families, with 20% saying their loved ones wanted them to drink less. Male drinkers, Gen X drinkers and Auckland drinkers were more likely - than the survey result overall - to agree to this statement.

There was strong support (73%) for lowering the blood-alcohol limit, and a large majority (85%) said they always took a taxi or had a designated driver if they were drinking away from home.

Corona drinkers were the most satisfied, says Bonnar.

"Casting patriotism aside, Corona took out the overall satisfaction award from a field that included well known domestic and international brands.

"Corona also shared top honours for taste, and took out the packaging category."


22 March, 2013