UK alcohol consumption fell once again in 2013, plunging to the lowest level this century, according to figures from the British Beer & Pub Association’s (BBPA) Statistical Handbook 2014.

In 2013, alcohol consumption per capita fell 1.7 per cent on 2012, with the handbook identifying a strong downward trend in consumption over the past decade – per capita consumption has fallen a substantial 18.1 per cent since 2004.

The new Handbook also sheds light on the renaissance in British craft brewing in recent years, with many small local breweries opening. There are now 1,442 breweries in the UK, an increase of 190 on 2012 and 188 per cent more than were present in 2000.

The handbook’s detailed section on alcohol related-harm shows falling trends in several key indicators. Drinking by young people has fallen; in England in 2013, 39 per cent of 11-15 year olds had ever drunk alcohol, compared to 43 per cent in 2012 and 61 per cent in 2001. Among 11-15 year olds who drank alcohol in the last week, the average weekly consumption is 8.2 units, compared to 12.5 units in 2012 and 9.8 units in 2001.

As well as UK beer market trends and the wider drinks’ market, the handbook also contains detailed data on prices, taxation, and international trends. With Britain’s beer taxation firmly on the agenda through successive beer duty cuts, the handbook’s taxation section shows that Britain’s beer taxes remain high compared to those of neighbouring countries: three times higher than France, five times higher than Belgium, and 13 times higher than Germany.

And the international section shows that the UK’s consumption of alcohol is lower than the EU average. According to the data, Britain consumes 25 per cent less alcohol than Germany and 15 per cent less the France.

“It’s great to see trends in alcohol harms coming down, showing that investment by the industry and partnership with government, through targeted measures, is having a positive impact,” said Brigid Simmonds, BBPA chief executive.

“There are certainly positives for beer in the data, with greater beer choice for beer drinkers than ever before. But despite the recent cuts in beer duty, Britain’s consumers are still subject to some of the highest tax rates for beer in the EU. Let’s hope we see another tax cut next year.”