BEER BUBBLES TO THE TOP

AS THEY HAVE for most of the past two decades, Americans who drink choose beer over wine and liquor as the type of alcohol they imbibe most often. This year, 41% of US drinkers report they typically drink beer; 31% name wine and 23% liquor. At 41%, Americans’ current preference is among the highest Gallup has recorded since beer tumbled to 36% on this measure in 2OO5 – although still not as highly favored as it was in the 199Os, when nearly half preferred it. The 2OO5 dip occurred at the peak of an apparent increase in American drinkers’ preference for wine between 2OO2 and 2OO5. Since then, drinkers’ tastes have reverted somewhat, with beer back on top. Even though wine shows no upward momentum, slightly more drinkers still choose wine today than did so in the early to mid-199Os.

Consistent with recent years, wine continues to be the top choice for women, at 46%. Among men, wine (17%) trails both beer (57%) and liquor (2O%). Wine edges out beer among older adults: 38% of those 55 and older drink wine most often, compared with 32% who most often drink beer. By contrast, the plurality of 18- to 34-year-olds (48%) and those aged 35 to 54 (43%) prefer beer. The latest results are from Gallup’s July Consumption Habits survey, and are based on telephone interviews with US national adults, aged 18 and older.