'World's fastest beer drinker aiming for Guinness record'

A Chinese man claims to be the fastest beer drinker in the world. Zhang Fengzhong is able to drink 640ml (1.3 pints) of beer in just 3.17 seconds. The 41-year-old government official from Huludao in northeastern China's Liaoning Province is now listed in the Jinisi book, China's version of the Guinness World Records, and is also hoping to be recognised by Guinness - The Metro​

Weak demand for beer in mature markets was yesterday blamed for a fall in volumes at Heineken. The world's third-largest brewer, which bought Scottish & Newcastle two years ago, said austerity measures and low consumer confidence hit its businesses in both Europe and the US. Although the Amsterdam-headquartered firm reported strong demand in a number of emerging markets including Africa, Asia and Latin America, this was not enough to offset subdued sales elsewhere - The Scotsman​

Ministers have promised to protect Westcountry cider makers in their war on cheap "industrial" alcohol that line supermarket shelves. The Government is tackling the scourge of teenage binge drinking by slapping a steep tax on high-strength alcohol. But Justine Greening, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, has confirmed small cider manufacturers, a key part of the Westcountry economy, would be exempt - Plymouth Herald​