Australia: Amount of alcohol available for consumption increases for the first time in nearly a decade

The amount of pure alcohol available for drinking in Australia has risen for the first time in nearly a decade, thanks to a jump in apparent beer consumption, SBS reported on September 1st.

For a hard-earned thirst, Aussies can't go past a big cold beer.

And the best cold beer by far is full-strength, according to new data.

Figures published on September 1st show beer made up 40 per cent of the 189 million litres of pure alcohol available for consumption in Australia in 2015-16.

That's about 3.9 litres per person aged 15 years or older.

It's the first time in nearly a decade that number has increased, bucking the long-term trend.

Wine accounted for 37.5 per cent of total volume, spirits and ready-to-drink beverages 18.8 per cent and cider 3.8 per cent.

In total, there was 9.7 litres of pure alcohol was available for drinking per person - equivalent to an average of 2.1 standard drinks a day.

The amount available is up from 2014-15, marking the first rise in nine years, but still consistent with the downward trend over recent decades.

Beer was the main contributor to that increase, although the volume of pure alcohol available for consumption as pre-mixed drinks and spirits also rose.

The data, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, does not take into account duty-free alcohol brought into Australia by travellers, stored or cellared alcohol, or that used in food or thrown out.