Swiss beer brewers can look back on a successful 12 months with sales up by 3.5 per cent, thanks in particular to the Euro 2008 football championships.

The Swiss Brewers' Association in Zurich said a total of 4.49 million hectolitres of beer was sold in the brewers' year, which runs from the beginning of October to the end of September.

In a statement on Tuesday, the association said this represented 153,000 hectolitres more than sold in the previous year.

Swiss production was up by 3.4 per cent and represented an 80.8 per cent market share (80.9 per cent in 2006/2007). Imported beers represented the remaining 19.2 per cent.

The association said Swiss exports amounted to two per cent of production - about 70,000 hectolitres - an increase of 24 per cent on the previous year.

It noted that the Euro 2008 championships had a positive effect on business despite the early elimination of Switzerland.

But the reverse side of the coin showed increased costs for malt, hops, packaging and energy.

Taxes on beer brought about SFr109 million ($90.95 million) into the federal coffers.

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