Beer is a Bargain in the Balkans, Study Shows

Balkan people by and large are moderate beer drinkers compared to many nations in Europe. Paradoxically, however, beer in the Balkans is much more cheaper than in most of the rest of Europe, a recent study shows.

The average price for a 33 cl beer goes for a bargain price of only 1.97$ in Belgrade compared to $2.58 in Berlin, $3.85 in Barcelona and a thumping $4.52 in London.

Beer lovers with small wallets might wish to avoid Geneva in Switzerland, where a small bottle of beer costs around $6.32.

The prices were calculated by the travel price comparison site GoEuro. Its Beer Price Index measured the prices of 33cl beers in supermarkets and bars across the world, using a basket of the five most popular imported beers in the world alongside the main local brew in each country.

Other cities in the Balkans are also cheap spots for beer lovers. The overall average price is $2.29 in Sofia, $2.62 in Dubrovnik, $2.83 in Bucharest or $3.81 in Athens.

Taking into consideration the average person's annual consumption of beer, Bucharest comes out on top. Locals there consume 133 litres per year on average - over one 33cl beer per day of the year. By comparison, the average person in Belgrade washes down 119 litres per year. Locals in Sofia get through 82 litres, people in Dubrovnik, 90 and Athenians 53.

In terms of average annual expenditure on beer per person, Bucharest is again at the top of league of Balkan cities, with $1,132, followed by Dubrovnik on $711. In Belgrade, the figure is $703, in Athens $610 and in Sofia, $566.

The consumption figures for the 2015 Beer Price Index are based on local citizens, and are not calculated to include tourists.