LostInTheWoods

Anyone who has lived in, or visited the UK in the last 10 years could have not failed to notice the increase of alcohol consumption there. In my younger years, I too, could be found doing very stupid and embarrassing things under the influence, of which I am not proud. But, as I got older I have tended not to drink as much, and since moving to Sweden, my consumption is now totally minimal. Good for my health I know, but this change has been a forced one, due to several different factors.

First a little background, Sweden is part of what is known informally as the “The Vodka Belt”. These are the countries in the northern part of Europe, and include Russia and other eastern Slavic states (see below), where vodka is the most popular alcoholic beverage, and I can well believe this. I had a friend who visited Moscow and saw people buying their daily bottle of vodka with their morning paper.

Historically people in Sweden have tried to solve the problem of excessive drinking of spirits by forming a temperance movement (1905), by holding a prohibition referendum (1922) and by instigating a state monopoly on the sale of alcohol (1870). Today this state monopoly is called “Systebolaget” (or “The System Company”) and is the only place you can legally buy beverages of 3.5% alc by vol or higher. The “System” as it is affectionately known, is a whole blog post in it's own right, so I'll give that some explanation another time.

So this was a major change for me. In the UK alcohol is available in many different retail locations; newsagents, local shops, supermarkets, farmer's markets, off-licenses (shops that sell primarily alcoholic drinks) and even petrol stations. You are never far away from somewhere where you can pick up a carry home. Pubs opened traditionally at 11am, could be open all day, and now can apply for 24hr opening. So finding a social setting in which to drink your favourite tipple, was also not that far away and it was more than likely to be open when you had a thirst that needed slaking.

Where I live today, small town Sweden, the nearest pub is 12km* away, and it is a bit expensive. The nearest System is 7km away, which is not too bad on the bike, but there is only so much beer you should carry in a rucksack on a bicycle. So from a convenience point of view, getting a long cool beer is more effort. This is probably not true in the big cities (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö) but boy, do you pay.

The other factor that has reduced my drinking, is that many Swedes do not offer beer when you visit them (unless they have recently been to Denmark or Germany on a beer run), it is the norm to drink coffee at all times of the day.

So the stuff is not engrained in the everyday culture as it is in Britain. Don't get me wrong, I have seen spectacular over drinking here that has amazed (and concerned) me, but regular everyday consumption is not as high. And I have the figures to back me up....

Alcohol consumption, litres per capita (for the year 2003):
United Kingdom: 9.29
Sweden: 5.62
(Source: World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe)

But there is something I really do miss. The cosy English pub, with good beer and a great atmosphere. Definitely on my list of things I wish I could put onto a barge and haul across the North Sea. Oh well.....

That is all.
LostInTheWoods

* Sorry guys, I have totally abandoned imperial measurements. Too damn confusing. There are miles (English and American) as I used to use. Swedish miles (10km – that's about 6 miles), and kilometres, which is used for most measurements of distance here.