Quaffers: The world's beer thirst shows no sign of abating

Figures released earlier this year by Japan's Kirin, ranks the Chinese as the world's biggest beer drinkers. In 2012, the latest figures available, the Chinese consumed 44,201 kilolitres of beer, representing 24.1 per cent of the world's total.

People of the United States consumed a little over half the Chinese volume at 24,186 kilolitres to claim 12.9 per cent market share. Australian drinkers ranked 24th on the list, downing 1830 kilolitres and accounting for 1 per cent of the global market.

Kirin says Asia overall "has maintained the momentum of its beer consumption growth for more than 20 years" and accounted for 33.2 per cent of world consumption in 2012.

On a per-person basis, the Czech Republic ranks number one at 148.6 litres, followed by Austria (107.8), Germany (106.1) and Estonia (102.4).

China failed to appear in the top 35 countries on a per capita basis, suggesting more potential growth.

Konig Ludwig Weissbier
★★★★½
330ml $4.15

If we can believe the label, King Ludwig travelled from Bavaria to an importer in Cincinnati, Ohio, before landing in Canberra as fresh as can be. This is a very good example of the Bavarian wheat style: cloudy, pale golden colour; abundant white head; sweet, fruity aroma and rich, creamy palate with a zesty, ultra-fresh finish.

Forbidden Fruit Original Cider
★★★★
330ml $3.92

Forbidden Fruit, from Otway, Victoria, bills itself as a semi-sweet cider, made alongside Otway Estate's beers and wines. On the palate, however, the cider seems closer to dry than sweet, with pleasant, fresh, clean, apple-like flavours (not always present in ciders). The sweetness simply fleshes out the palate.