The amount of beer supped by Hongkongers has dropped to its lowest level since the handover, as more and more drinkers turn to a wee dram of whisky.
Hongkongers last year drank 778,852 litres of whiskies from Scotland and Ireland - nearly 20 per cent more than the amount consumed in 1997.
This comes despite declines in the consumption of nearly every category of alcoholic beverage.
It is no surprise that after the Asian financial crisis many people decided to stop splashing out on champagne and brandy.
Beer is increasingly being blamed for bulging waistlines, and sales last year, at 149 million litres, were down 7 per cent from 1997. Even sales of wine have remained stagnant, at just under 9 million litres per year.
Investment analysts also point to a drop in the ranks of expatriates for Hong Kong's new-found abstinence.