How much are you drinking - or not drinking?

[Neil Yamamoto]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008078622_pubs29.html

Beer sales have slumped in Britain, and it's impacted a good number of cities and towns, over 1400 pubs have closed in the last year according to the above article. And when people are having a beer, they are buying it at the grocery store for home consumption.

While I have no numbers to prove it, I have the impression the USA is similarly impacted, but in pubs where there are $1 or $2 pint specials, I bet sales of higher end beers have slowed to take advantage of the lower cost (but less tasty) beer specials.

I know where I used to have two rounds, I now have one at a dinner out. I also tend to buy beer for consumption at home. A 6 pack of Smithwick or a 4pack of Guinness for $8.99 is better than a pint for $5.00. But a draft sure tastes better than a canned or bottled beer and I do miss that.

How about you? Have you been indulging at home more often and less out? Have you changed your beer and spirits consumption due to the economy?

[Joseph Svinth]

Are you sure it's not reduced due to marriage? :p

[BlackPaladin]

I live in the USA, and am a business consultant, and currently not drinking.

I have a different reason for the drop: many municipalities and states in the USA are adopting no smoking policies for restaurants, bars, pubs, etc., and this is one of the main, identifiable factors that influenced the decline in the having drinks out pasttime. Another factor that can not be unmentioned is the marked increase in the severity of driving under the influence/operating a vehicle while impaired laws in the various states.

[fifthchamber]

While I tend not to drink much at meals out (Japanese beer is not great in the main), I would agree that I often buy beer in bottles to drink at home, simply because the bottled beer here is often far better than the draft Asahi that is usually served in restaurants..Of course, specialist pubs are the best way to get a nice pint of draught beer, and I have a favourite in Tachikawa where I live..
As for the UK, I would think that the recent bans and impostitions placed upon smoking in pubs would cause a fair decline in customer numbers, simply because they can buy beer cheap and drink it at home with a smoke as well...But I can't say for sure..
Rising prices is also a major issue, although in Japan, since all decent beer has always been a touch more expensive, I haven't really noticed a large rise..