Asia is not renowned for making beer, but more and more of it is being drunk. In 2011, Asians downed 67bn litres of beer; a sign of increasing prosperity on the continent. With alcohol consumption in Asia forecast to grow by 4.8% each year until 2016, brewers have every reason to raise a glass in celebration.
So what's behind this newfound taste for beer? Asia's young and growing population play a big part, but it also stems from the increase in prosperity in a lot of Asian countries in recent years, as people drink beer when times are good. Some experts believe the fizz factor in beer makes people happy and encourages them to drink more, much like with many soft drinks.
One trend is for the exotic and interesting tastes of premium lagers. Young people are no longer drinking weak lagers, but quenching their thirsts with wheat beers, fruit beers, pilsners and pale ales, all with a higher alcohol content. Microbreweries are popping up all over the place, offering consumers the chance to taste something unique and unusual.
The increased popularity of beer also has some drawbacks. Binge drinking, hangovers and alcoholism are on the rise throughout Asia; a real headache for health authorities. However, despite health concerns, the trend of eating, drinking and being merry continues, so drinks manufacturers should be able to toast their successes well into the future.
Quiz 測驗 1. What phrase in the article means 'acquiring wealth or a higher status'?
Upwardly mobile
2. How much beer was consumed in Asia in 2011?
67 billion litres
3. Is the following statement true, false or not given? Many people like drinking beer because of the bubbles it contains.
True. Experts believe the "fizz factor" of the bubbles makes people happy.
4. What word is used to describe small companies that produce exotic beers?
Microbreweries
5. Which two phrases in the article refer to holding up a drink in celebration?
'Raise a glass' and 'toast their successes'.
Glossary 词汇表 brewing釀造（酒） upwardly-mobile向上爬，尋求改善社會地位的 thirst渴望 unwind放鬆 drunk喝醉了 downed一口喝下去 litres公升 raise a glass舉杯慶祝 taste口味 fizz汽泡 soft drinks軟（不含酒精的）飲料 premium酒精含量標高的 quenching their thirsts解渴 alcohol content酒精度 microbreweries小啤酒廠 binge drinking酗酒 hangovers酒醉後的不良反應 alcoholism酗酒 headache頭疼 toast their successes舉杯慶祝
