Beer a good bet in a bleak economy

An Australian business news website is reporting that beer is a solid investment option in hard times.

A 30-year study of Australian beer sales tracked against the Westpac Consumer Confidence Survey has unearthed compelling evidence that beer sales flourish during recessions, news.com.au reported today.

Graphs show that as sharemarket indices tumble, beer sales creep upwards.

Foster's brewers confirm sale figures from as late as September this year show beer drinkers appear blissfully unaware the globe is in the grasp of a once-in-a-100-year financial catastrophe.

A spokesman said beer consumption in Australia had fallen slightly over the past 30 years, but sales were never subject to sudden movement - either up or down.

- NZHERALD STAFF