Chilly weather in China turns consumers off from frosty lagers

China’s recent cold snap undermined beer sales in the People’s Republic, according to the most recent sales update from global brewing giant SABMiller out today:

Lager volumes in Asia Pacific declined by 1% on an organic basis (which excludes Australia volumes altogether), largely as a result of subdued volumes in China, which declined 3%, due mainly to an exceptionally cold and wet winter across the country.

Consumers were more in the mood for a cold one in Latin America, where in Colombia and Peru—two bright spots—volumes were up 7% and 6%, respectively.