Beer drinking in Australia fell to the lowest level since the end of World War II as wealthy consumers opted for wine and others shifted to the hard stuff. Beer consumption measured in pure alcohol content fell to 4.23 liters per person in the 12 months to June 30, 2011, the weakest reading since 1946, from 4.45 liters a person a year earlier, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said in Sydney today. Consumption of spirits rose to 1.32 liters from 1.28 liters, while wine imbibing totaled 3.74 liters, near the prior year’s record high. “A more multicultural Australia and higher income and wealth levels goes a long way ... (full story)