Beer's Popularity Is Losing Its Stronghold. Here's How Consumption Trends Are Shifting Across the Country

With summer heat continuing to blaze around the country, there's no better time for a cold, refreshing drink to cool off. Beer has long been a go-to for many, but according to new poll from Gallup, it might be losing its stronghold.

Overall, the research found more than six in 10 Americans drink alcohol today. That's an average amount since Gallup first started measuring consumption in 1939 (there was a peak of 71 percent in the '70s).

The data comes from Gallup's Consumption Habits poll conducted in July 2023. In total, 1,015 adults across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., were polled.

Researchers found drinking is more prevalent among Americans in certain demographic groups. Middle-aged adults, those with higher incomes, college-educated adults, and those who attend religious services less than once a week are all associated with higher drinking rates as compared to other imbibers.

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Beer remains the alcoholic drink of choice for most people at 37 percent, but its hold on Americans' drinking habits isn't as strong as it once was.

"Although it continues to hold on to the top spot, beer is less dominant now than at points in the 1990s and early 2000s, when close to half said it was their preferred alcoholic beverage," Gallup said.

Meanwhile, 31 percent of imbibers say liquor is their alcoholic drink of choice, setting a new record for frequent liquor drinkers across the country. Wine's popularity is down to 29 percent, putting it in third place behind beer and liquor.

The youngest age group examined of ages 18 to 34 reported drinking beer and liquor more frequently than middle-aged and older Americans. Those two groups instead reach for wine almost twice as often as their younger counterparts.

Whatever you're drinking, put your bottoms up and enjoy responsibly.