<p>Asia beat Europe amid its economic growth with 58.67 million kilolitres of beer produced, up 5.5 per cent from the previous year, a Kirin Holdings Co research arm said on Tuesday.<br /><br />Among Asian beer producers, Vietnam saw a 24.3 per cent surge during the period, followed by India at 12.3 per cent and China at 7.0 per cent. But production in Japan dropped by 2.2 per cent.<br /><br />Asia took the top slot in the ranking list for the first time since 1974, the Kirin Institute of Food & Lifestyle has said.<br /><br />In contrast, beer output in Europe shrank 5.1 per cent to 55.15 million kl during the 12-month period, Kyodo news agency quoted the institute as saying.It attributed the decline in Europe to slumping private consumption in the wake of the global financial crisis.<br />In addition to the year's production expansion, "There is more room for further growth in Asia down the track because Asians' per capita consumption is relatively small," it said.<br />Worldwide beer output in the period gained 0.4 per cent to 181 million kl, breaking the record for the 25th straight year, it added.<br /><br />But the pace of growth slowed from the previous year due to the downturn in the global economy, Kirin, one of Japan's premier brewer, said.</p>
<p>Asia beat Europe amid its economic growth with 58.67 million kilolitres of beer produced, up 5.5 per cent from the previous year, a Kirin Holdings Co research arm said on Tuesday.<br /><br />Among Asian beer producers, Vietnam saw a 24.3 per cent surge during the period, followed by India at 12.3 per cent and China at 7.0 per cent. But production in Japan dropped by 2.2 per cent.<br /><br />Asia took the top slot in the ranking list for the first time since 1974, the Kirin Institute of Food & Lifestyle has said.<br /><br />In contrast, beer output in Europe shrank 5.1 per cent to 55.15 million kl during the 12-month period, Kyodo news agency quoted the institute as saying.It attributed the decline in Europe to slumping private consumption in the wake of the global financial crisis.<br />In addition to the year's production expansion, "There is more room for further growth in Asia down the track because Asians' per capita consumption is relatively small," it said.<br />Worldwide beer output in the period gained 0.4 per cent to 181 million kl, breaking the record for the 25th straight year, it added.<br /><br />But the pace of growth slowed from the previous year due to the downturn in the global economy, Kirin, one of Japan's premier brewer, said.</p>