Beer in Russia will become an alcoholic drink for the first time today.

Many Russians consider beer a light refreshment that can be guzzled on the way to work or downed in great quantities before a picnic and a swim in the river.

Hard drinkers sniff at its weakness, and there is a saying: ‘‘Beer without vodka is like throwing money to the wind.’’

But a hung-over nation will wake up to a new and troubling reality when, with the new year, beer becomes classified as an alcoholic drink for the first time.

Until now it has been considered a foodstuff, along with all drinks under 10 per cent in strength.