Beverage purchase data from pubs and bars across major Australian cities has revealed beer is Australia’s favourite beverage and is mainly consumed at lunchtime and in the afternoons.
Spirits are our second favourite – and is the number one category among women, surpassing wine purchases – mostly consumed late at night.
The data, from mobile-payment and deals app Clipp, compares beverage purchases across four categories: beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks. While beer makes up 45 percent of all beverage purchases, spirits is the next favourite at 33 percent of all beverage purchases. Wine is third on the list, at 19 percent of all purchases, and non-alcoholic drinks make up just four percent of purchases.
Beverage trends between men and women
Nearly 55 percent of all beverage purchases among men are beer – the highest proportion (an average of 64 percent of all purchases) of which is consumed at lunchtime and in the afternoons. While spirits make up 30 percent of all beverage purchases by men, this increases to 55 percent late at night. Wine accounts for 12 percent of purchases among men.
Spirits top the list of beverages among women, at 36 percent of all purchases, and increasing to 53 percent of all purchases late at night. Beer follows at 35 percent, increasing to 43 percent of purchases among women at lunchtime. Wine makes up 25 percent of all beverage purchases among women.
Trends in spirits
Vodka and whisky are the favourite spirits across the nation, making up just over 20 percent each of all spirit purchases. Vodka is the favourite spirit for all age groups up to age 49, averaging 24 percent of all spirit purchases. Bourbon is the favourite spirit for Aussies in their fifties (41 percent of spirit purchases in that age group) and whisky is a favourite for the over sixties, at 42 percent of spirit purchases.
Trends in wine
White wine is the favourite wine nationally, making up an average of 43 percent of wine purchases across the major cities. Among women, white wine made up 46 percent of wine purchases. White wine is a winner among under-20s (83 percent of all wine purchases) and those in their 50s (52 percent of all wine purchases).
Queenslanders and West Australians are the biggest white wine drinkers (51 percent of wine purchases in each State). White wine is also a favourite in South Australia and Victoria, at 48 percent each of wine purchases. NSW residents are bucking the trend by preferring red wine (48 percent of all wine purchases).
Trends in beer
Craft beer accounted for 45 percent of all purchases nationally. Melbourne made the highest percentage of craft beer purchases (55 percent) against just 34 percent of regular beer purchases. Perth comes in second, with 48 percent of craft purchases and regular beer at 35 percent. Sydney is third, with 46 percent of craft beer purchases and regular beer at 39 percent.
In contrast, in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Darwin, regular beer accounted for 59 percent, 63 percent and 65 percent of all beer purchases respectively.