ABSTRACT
The consumption of alcoholic beverages is known to vary considerably throughout Europe, and the pattern of consumption as well as beverages consumed also differ from one country to another. In Mediterranean countries and in Portugal, people drink wine in rather large quantities, while in countries in Central and North-West Europe people mainly drink beer. In many European countries there has been a trend towards an increased consumption, but this seems to have slowed down in recent years. Table 10.1 summarizes the evolution of alcohol consumption in the countries of the EEC, between 1960 and 1985.
