An article yesterday by the BBC reports on a survey of drinking habits canvassing 7,500 people across 15 European countries has found that in Britain - as well as Sweden - 82% of respondents are happy to buy a round of beer. And from comments left by readers of the BBC article, it’s clear that “round shirkers” are looked upon with some mirth. The article goes on to say:

For many people the only socially acceptable way to do things is to get a round in.

Fergus Linnane, author of Drinking for England which is published next month, says the buying of rounds plays a part in rituals of bonding and social cohesion.

No-one knows when the practice became popular, but Linnane suggests the idea of keeping up with a certain level of drinking goes back at least to the arrival of the Vikings.

Here’s your opportunity to do good by your drinking buddies as well as some complete strangers on the other side of the world who you’ve never met and probably never will. Get in a round of Mongozo Fairtrade beer, that bring together the ingredients, recipes, brewing techniques and drinking habits from many different cultures. Caring and sharing, that’s what it’s all about.