China world's largest beer consumer

The quantity of beer consumed around the globe in 2011 increased
for the 27th consecutive year, with China making up 25 percent of the sales.

A report released Wednesday by Kirin Holdings, the research arm of a Japanese brewery, attributed the rise to robust demand in Asia and
developing countries, the Daily Mail reported.

For the 10th year, China showed it has the greatest thirst for the alcoholic drink. The US retained its second place with sales in the country making up 11.7 percent of the global figure. Brazil was ranked third and Russia came fourth.

The report found that 250 billion litres of beer were produced in 2011, up 3.7 percent from
2010. In 2010, 45 billion litres of beer were sold in China with US sales accounting for less than half
that amount at 25 billion litres.

In per capita terms, the average Asian drinks 17 litres of beer a year. But the global average per capita is close to 30 litres. The Czechs lead the way with 135 litres per capita.

Africans drink only an average eight litres per capita per year.