Thirsty Bangaloreans push consumption northward by 15 per cent
Thirsty Bangaloreans push consumption northward by 15 per centSoaring temperatures have sent up beer consumption by 10 to 15 per cent in the city even as the meteorological department said that the temperature recorded yesterday was the same as March 8 last year.u00a0
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Feel heat, will drink: Bangaloreans have taken to late night partying to beat the mercury madness and guzzling down the cold beverage in bars and pubs. File pic |
History repeats
"It is a coincidence that last year on the same date we recorded the same temperature with just a point difference, that is 37.3," said Raje Gowda from the Weather department of the University of Agriculture. The percentage consumption of beer is likely to increase in the weeks to come with the meteorological department not expecting a shift in the winds.
"Because of the summer, there has been a slight increase in alcohol intake especially in brands like Knockout and Kingfisher," informed Vanagiri Gowda, the President of the Wine Merchants Association.
Meanwhile, residents also agreed that their intake has increased. A resident Aryton Rodriguez said, "Yes, my beer intake has increased by 2 extra bottles a day which is a 50 per cent increase. The rise in prices hasn't changed anything." Another resident Dennis whose intake has increased by 30 per cent said that the increase in prices have not stopped him from buying more.
Beat the heat
Bangaloreans have taken to late night partying to beat the mercury madness by guzzling down the cold beverage in bars and pubs. Thimme Gowda, of the Excise Commission said, "There has been an increase, yes but without checking with the 15 depots in Bangalore I cannot say for sure."
One might expect an increase in drink driving incidents, which is not the case, at least according to Praveen Sudh, the joint Commissioner of traffic police. He said, "There has been no apparent increase or decrease but roughly 4500 people are charged every month on charges of drink driving. So far it has not been an issue."u00a0
As the Met department does not expect a dip in the city temperatures anytime soon, the sale of beer will further increase signifying profits for alcohol vendors across the city.u00a0u00a0
