Germany: Beer tax income up due to World Cup

Germany's Finance Ministry says the World Cup added a bit of froth to the country's coffers last month as tax income from sales of beer rose sharply, Forbes informed on August 20.

The ministry said in its monthly report of August 20 that income from tax on beer - which goes to the country's 16 state governments - was euro73 million ($94 million), up 9.1% in July compared to the same period last year.

However, figures for the year's first seven months suggested that Germans' long-term trend toward buying less beer is unchanged. The beer tax take from January to July was euro414 million, 1.5% lower than last year.

A much-praised Germany team reached the semi-final at the World Cup, and then won the third-place playoff against Uruguay on July 10.

20 August, 2010