Beer supply falls despite craft brewery boost

There was a 6.5 million litre fall in the volume of beer available in NZ last year, says Stats NZ. Photo / Thinkstock

The total amount of alcohol available for consumption in New Zealand fell 9.4 million litres last year, according to new data released this morning.

The fall represented a 2 per cent drop down to 457 million litres, according to Statistics New Zealand.

The drop followed an 8.9 million litre rise in 2013.

The decrease was due to a 6.5 million litre fall in the volume of beer available and a 4.3 million litre drop in the availability of and spirit-based drinks.

"Although beer fell in 2014, this was due to mid-strength beers, with both low-strength and high-strength beers up on 2013," international statistics manager Jason Attewell said.

"The volume of high-strength beer has almost doubled since 2009, reflecting the growing demand for craft beers."

The availability of low-alcohol beers was two-thirds higher last year than it was in 2013, which would be attributed to the industry gearing up for the new blood-alcohol limits, Attewell said.

The volume of pure alcohol available fell 94,000 litres (0.3 per cent) in 2014.

Beer, spirits, and spirit-based drinks all decreased, but were partly offset by the volume of pure alcohol available from wine, which was up 620,000 litres (5.7 percent).

The volume of high-strength beer has almost doubled since 2009, reflecting the growing demand for craft beers.

Statistics NZ international stats manager Jason Attewell

Beer made up just over one-third of the total alcohol volume available.

The volume of pure alcohol available per person aged 18 years and over was 9.6 litres last year - down from 9.7 litres in 2013.

It represented an average of 2.1 standard drinks per person, per day and was unchanged from 2013.

The figures were are compiled from figures on alcoholic beverages produced for local consumption, on which duty is paid, and imports less re-exports.

Alcohol statistics provide information on the volume of alcoholic beverages released to the market, rather than actual consumption.

See the latest alcohol stats here: