AUSTRALIA'S reputation as a nation of beer lovers is under threat as per capita consumption of the amber fluid slumped to its lowest level in 62 years. New Australian Bureau of Statistics figures reveal consumption of pure alcohol in the form of beer fell to 4.5 litres per person in 2010, The Australian reports. Alcohol consumption in the form of wine hit a record 3.8 litres per person. It's a long way from the heady days of 1975, when the average Australian put away 9.2 litres of pure alcohol in beer form. Read more: