Beer drinkers in the UK are increasingly opting for beer with lower levels of alcohol.
According to the Department of Health, between 2011 and 2013 the number of units of alcohol sold went down by 1.9 billion.
Its report says the average strength of beer dropped to 4.14% from 4.42% during the period.
The British Beer and Pub Association said brewers are responding to consumer demand, but another reason may provide a greater clue, namely that the Government gives tax relief on beers with 2.8% alcohol or less.
Since its introduction in 2011, a number of manufacturers have reduced the strength of best-selling products, and launched lower-alcohol products.
High strength-lagers Stella Artois, Budweiser and Becks have all been reduced from 5% to 4.8% and John Smith’s Extra Smooth ale went from 3.8% to 3.6%.
More than 30 brewers had removed 1.3 billion units of alcohol by lowering the strength of their beers, according to a public health minister.
Lower alcohol means fewer calories and this may be another factor which appeals to consumers.
“We’ve seen the Government’s decision to give 50 per cent tax relief to lower-strength beers combining with a growth in interest among consumers for lower-strength drinks like beer, that are also lower in calories,” said the CEO of the British Beer & Pub Association.
New figures from the Office for National Statistics in February showed that more than 25% of young people do not drink alcohol at all, while heavy nights of drinking are in decline.
But global figures still indicate that binge drinking levels in Britain remain among the highest in the world.
The World Health Organisation research examined 196 countries and placed the UK 13th highest for heavy drinking.
