Australians are calling last drinks on beer. Despite wide choices and a proliferation of craft beers, the nation's drinkers are snubbing the amber fluid.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show beer consumption is at its lowest level on record and many are drinking mid-strength beers. Full and low-strength volumes have collapsed.

In the early 1970s, the country consumed 193 litres of beer per person. In 2013-14 this was down to just 92.4 litres.

This fall is also not offset by other drinks, with alcohol consumption at a 50-year low.

ABS analyst Louise Gates said Australian drinking tastes were shifting.

"Fifty years ago, beer made up three-quarters of all alcohol consumed, but now makes up under half at 41 per cent," she said.

"Wine's share has increased over the same period from 12 per cent to 38 per cent."

That change is obvious with cider, with consumption of the largely apple-derived drink up 150 per cent over six years. Despite this, Australians drink only a little over 200ml of cider per person.

Ready-to-drink spirits have lost favour from a peak in 2007-08, and overall spirits drinking is at its lowest since 2000.

Even wine, which has become the drink of choice for many over the past two decades, is losing glow with consumption at an eight-year low.

Perth city worker Jodie Earney said beer used to be her beverage of choice but now it was usually wine, which appeared to have health and cost benefits.

"In summer, we love a wine more than a beer because it doesn't fill you up as much and you feel like you're having a summer drink," she said.

Public health expert Mike Daube said people were drinking more sensibly with continuing evidence that alcohol was a major social and health problem for those who did not.

"It shows the campaigning and advertising is working for many people," he said. "The biggest problem is when people binge."