Belgian boozers boost beer culture

2 August 2004

BRUSSELS – The average Belgian man knocks back 96 litres of beer every year, according to figures released on Monday.

The daily Vers l’Avenir has revealed conclusive proof that the Belgium beer industry is booming.

Belgium’s 115 breweries produced 15.6 million hectolitres of beer in 2003, with 46 percent of this destined for export around the world.

A total of 92 percent of these exports end up in other European Union countries.

Export figures have set new records for the past five years.

At the same time, Belgium imports more and more foreign beers.

Subject: Belgian News