Beer rules in Canada, even though coolers and red wine are making headway. New statistics show that beer accounts for 81 per cent of alcoholic beverages sold in Canada.

While domestic beer remains top dog, a Statistics Canada report reveals that imported beer continues to make inroads. For the eighth consecutive year, an increase was recorded for imported beer sales, as volume rose 8.1 per cent in 2001/2.

The agency says that imported beer sales have increased 15.5 per cent over the last five years. Even so, domestic products are still the most popular choice, with sales totalling $6.7 billion in 2001/2.

There have been other notable changes over the last several years. Sales of coolers have risen 50 per cent or more in Quebec, Ontario, P.E.I., Nova Scotia, Manitoba, British Columbia and the Yukon.

"The largest sales increases were reported in Quebec for spirit-based coolers, and in Ontario for wine-based coolers. In both cases, sales more than doubled in 2001/2," the report says.

Statistics Canada also says that more consumers are buying red wine. The agency says sales volume for red wine is surging ahead, while sales for white wine have remained virtually unchanged.

"In 2001/02, red wine clearly asserted its dominance over white wine, with sales of 141.4 million litres, 55 per cent of the total volume of red and white wine sold," the report says.

Quebec consumers purchased almost 44 per cent of all red wine sold in Canada. The Northwest Territories recorded the largest increase in the amount sold at 16.5 per cent.

Government profits are also on the rise and reached $3.9 billion, with $3.2 billion going to provincial and territorial governments.

Overall, per capita sales rose to 104.2 litres from 103.8 the previous year. Sales hit a record low of 99.5 litres in 1996/97, compared to a record high of 134 litres in the 70s.