Each Czech on an average drank 159 litres of beer in 2007, according to the latest available figures.
Austrians downed 860 million litres of beer in 2008, or 109.3 litres per person. Germany fell behind as its consumption per head dropped slightly to 108 litres, as the Czechs comfortably defended their top position.
While two percent more of the beverage flowed from Austrian taps in 2008, volumes in traditional beer-drinking countries like Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands fell, the brewery association said.
The association's chairman Markus Liebl said: "Because of the trend in costs and the strained global economic situation, we look forward to 2009 with mixed feelings."
Source: Indo-Asian News Service
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