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..
Ben Sharples.
智は知恵、仁は思いやり、勇は勇気と説いています。