Europe's Changing Drinking Habits: More Beer, Less Wine, Few Regrets

WSJ.com

"Europe's Changing Drinking Habits: More Beer, Less Wine, Few Regrets

By ADAM COHEN

Europeans are supposed to sip wine in sidewalk cafés, not guzzle beer like American college students.

But Europe's relationship with alcohol is changing. Countries like France and Italy, where good wine is considered a birthright, are seeing a surge in beer drinking among young people. In many countries, the traditional glass or two at mealtimes is giving way to a new culture of binge drinking."