Canadians like their booze; unfortunately it might not like them.

According to a recent study by the University of Victoria and published in the Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research, Canadians are getting too many of their daily calories from alcohol beverages, with beer being the leader in this.

Drinkers consumed more than one-tenth of their EER from alcohol in all but one province.

The average drinker consumed 250 calories, or 11.2% of their daily estimated energy requirements (EER) in the form of alcohol, with men (13.3%) consuming a higher proportion of their EER from alcohol than women (8.2%).

By beverage type, beer contributes 52.7% of all calories derived from alcohol, while wine (20.8%); spirits (19.8%); and ciders, coolers, and other alcohol (6.7%) also contribute substantially.

The substantial caloric impact of alcoholic drinks in the Canadian diet suggests that the addition of caloric labelling on these drinks is a necessary step.

As a brewer, you can wait for the order and only act then, or you can take a pre-emptive approach and do it now, while coming out with a lighter calorie beer.