Women keener on low alcohol beer than men

New UK research indicates that women appear to be more receptive than men to the idea of drinking lower strength beer.

It is good news for the prospects of the 2.8% ABV beer category – a new, lower strength beer option which has been steadily growing in popularity – as women begin to see it as a way to cut down on their unit consumption and reduce calorie intake.

Many beer drinkers (30%) also say that they would now consider lower alcohol beer as an ideal drink for a hot summer’s day.

In terms of guessing the number of calories in a beer, most Britons overestimate.

The survey by ComRes on behalf of the British Beer & Pub Association found that one in five people (19%) correctly estimated the calorie content of beer – fewer than for wine, where a quarter (25%) get it right.

A surprising 74% of women overestimate its calorie content compared with 60% of men.

The results of the survey also show that perceptions vary across the country.

Those from Scotland (79%) and the South East (73%) are significantly more likely to overestimate the calorie content of beer than those in North of England (60%).  In fact, those from the North are more likely to know the calorie content of beer, with more than a quarter (28%) getting the figure right.

The survey found that around half (53-5 per cent) of respondents did not know the number of calories in a range of popular drinks.

• ·         A half pint (284ml) of 2.8% ABV bitter (80 calories)
• ·         A half pint (284ml) of 4% ABV lager (96 calories)
• ·         A 175ml glass of 12.5% red wine (119 calories)
• ·         A 175ml glass of 12.5% white wine (131 calories)