gunsynd: People (Countries) are bought up under different Cultures.Now it could of been in reverse,
Australia Wine Drinkers (shit)
Spain Beer Drinkers.. (lucky buggers)
All to do with Culture.:-)
I'd say there's geography and climate involved. No one wants to drink a warm beer on a hot sunny day. But you can do so with wine. Like I said, beer was known, but not appreciated, until it was possible to drink it cold.
That said, some variety is popping up. Barley pale lager is still the only beer for most. But darker roasts, malt, and wheat varieties are starting to be sold as well.
There is also no concept or even a word for ales.
I can't imagine what drinking a beer in the outback before refrigerators was like. And I don't think I want to.