Czechs regain world beer drinking crown

The Czechs are the world's number one beer drinkers, at least that's according to a report by the Czech Association of Breweries and Distilleries. The Czechs traditionally top world league tables on beer drinking, last year consuming on average, 162 beers per person - more beer per person than people in any other country in the world.

The Beer Barrel Polka, possibly the most famous piece of Czech music in the world. Few know that the original title in Czech is "Wasted Love", and that the song so many associate with swilling mugs of beer was actually about a love affair gone wrong. But no matter, ask someone what they associate with the Czech Republic, and the answer will most likely be "beer".

As if to live up to that reputation, new figures show the Czechs - after a brief period of German domination - are once again topping the league table of beer consumption. Up and down the country, at pubs like this one, men and women of all ages are sinking pints like nobody's business, contributing to an annual consumption of 162 litres per head. That means on average each Czech citizen drinks one pint of beer every day. Czechs truly are the kings of beer.

But it's a record not everyone is happy with. Alcoholism is a serious problem in this country, but it's a problem few Czechs are willing to take seriously. Ladislav Csemy, from the Addiction Studies Department of the Prague Psychiatric Centre:

Photo: archive of Radio Prague

"There is a strong tradition of beer drinking in our country and alcoholic beverages are very cheap, especially beer. For many Czech men it is inconceivable that they would spend some time in a restaurant or pub and drink coca cola or some other non-alcoholic beverage. So they order a beer and not just one half-pint, but five, six or seven."

And part of the problem is that people start young. Usually with beer. Ladislav Csemy says children are taught from a very young age that beer is more of a harmless drink to keep you cool in the summer, rather than a potentially addictive alcoholic beverage:

"Usually they start with beer because that is the most popular and widely available alcoholic beverage. Unfortunately people are very tolerant to alcohol misuse. Children can easily consume alcohol and in many cases parents don't tell them that it is inappropriate."

For now people such as Ladislav Csemy are in the minority, at least if the latest figures are anything to go by. Czechs are drinking beer like never before, or rather they're drinking more beer now than any time since 1992. Perhaps in the future Czechs will begin drinking in moderation. But for now, the beer is still flowing.