Germany: Beer consumption in Germany, which had a declining tendency since many years, remained constant in 2004, according to Beer Federation secretary Peter Hahn. Figures would be released by the end of January 2005, and are expected to be close to the 117,7 litres, the level of 2003, he said.

The German mineral water federation VDM said per-capita consumption last year was 123 litres, well ahead of the 117 litres of beer consumed per person. For decades, beer ruled, with bottled carbonated water viewed as a minority drink. In 2004, water consumption did recede by five litres per capita, but the lead over beer remained.

The most popular drink of all in Germany is coffee, usually drunk by the mugful. The coffee industry says that has been the case for 25 years and calculated per capita consumption in 2003 at 153,3 litres, based on coffee bean sales and the standard dilution.

12 January, 2005