Latest analysis of the multiples' pre millennium performance shows that most suppliers' guesses of a 20% uplift in sales was accurate.
The data from AC Nielsen Scantrack shows the festive boost was not uniform.
Secondary brands suffered at the hands of the key players, and whole sectors suffered as consumers traded up and switched purchasing to premium and sparkling wines and spirits.
Generally, the brewers did well with figures putting lager sales in the multiples up 21%.
The big well supported brands such as Carling, Budweiser, Foster's and Stella came off best, while others such as Bud Ice and Miller disappointed.
A spokesman for Anheuser- Busch said: "Budweiser performed extraordinarily well but Bud Ice received less focus over this period."
Brian Sharp, marketing director at Scottish Courage Brands said: "While the festive period was not one to write home about on Miller Pilsner, the brand performed better in Scotland than in the rest of the UK.
"Retailers wanted a big feature on a big brand in standard lager and Foster's was the natural contender.
"Foster's Lager grew twice as fast as the standard lager market in Great Britain and this is the real success story from Christmas 1999."
In the premium bottled ale sector the honours went to Old Speckled Hen from Greene King which became the best selling brand in the eight week period pre Christmas.
Good performances in the sector came also from Badger Brewery's Tanglefoot and Golden Champion brands.
Blended whisky sales were up 12% in the four weeks before Christmas, rising to 30% in the final week, while malts were up 19%, to push its annual growth to 14%.
Allied Domecq reported Laphroaig sales up 100%.
Liqueurs were up 27% and AD said Tia Maria outperformed that.
The tequila market also showed huge increases in volume and value.
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