Beer still king among Canadians

Beer is still the drink of choice for many Canadians who consume alcoholic beverages, in volume and dollar value.

Statistics Canada reports that for the year ending March 31, 2010, beer and liquor stores and agencies sold $9.2 billion worth of beer, up 3.8 per cent from the previous year.

Overall, these outlets sold $19.9 billion worth of alcoholic beverages, up 2.8 per cent from the previous year, due in part to more sales of imported wine and beer, and an average 1.1 per cent price increase.

Newfoundland and Labrador had the largest increase in beer sales at 14.7 per cent.

But the market share for beer across Canada has declined to 46 per cent from 52 per cent a decade ago in terms of dollar value, while the share for wine has risen from 23 per cent to 29 per cent.

On a per capita basis, beer sales worked out to 83.6 litres per person in 2010, down from 85.6 litres in 2000.