We may enjoy the dubious honour of being the biggest binge-drinkers in Europe, but at least our predilection for inebriation is complemented by our generosity.

Research by brewer SABMiller found 82% of Brits - more than in any other country in Europe - were more likely to buy a round of drinks than split the bill, compared with only 10% of Germans.

Meanwhile, 85% of British beer drinkers would buy someone a drink without a guarantee of getting one back, compared with just 16% of German beer drinkers.

The picture emerging from SABMiller's Beer Etiquette survey clearly indicates that we in the UK are a lot more giving than our mean-spirited Teutonic cousins.

But is what's good for our social lives also good for our livers and wallets?

Maybe not.

Mintel figures show that in 2006 the UK's 60 million consumers blew £42bn on booze, while Germany's population of 82 million spent just £36bn.

So, is there a link between our insatiable appetite for booze and our willingness to throw our money about? Does anyone care? Isn't it your round? Get 'em in. You're my besht friend you are.