Americans' Evolving Taste for Booze

PICKYour POISON PRINK or CHOICE AMONG DIFFERENT GROUPS WINE N/A BEER LIQUOR WHAT KIND OF PREFER? ALCOHOL DO AMERICANS Gender 48% 20% 26% 6% MALE Last year, Gallup asked American adults about their preferred alcoholic beverage. The results of the poll reveal a notable trend: The gap is narrowing between beer drinkers and those who prefer wine or liquor. 22% 51% 21% 6% FEMALE WINE AND BEER ARE %D Age 6% 5% ALMOST EQUALLY POPULAR 39% 25% 30% 18-34 YEARS The number of people who typically choose beer has declined over the past several years, while the number of wine enthusiasts has increased slightly. The popularity of hard liquor is on the rise, though it remains a distant third place. 41% 31% 23% 35-54 YEARS 27% 47% 19% 7% 55+ Region WHAT DO YOU DRINK MOST OFTEN? Percent of Respondents This year's figures reveal a general decline in beer drinkers as the number of wine enthusiasts rise. 37% 40% 17% 6% 46% EAST 50% 45% 42% 42% 46% 31% 17% 6% MIDWEST 39% 40% 40% SOUTH 29% 34% 28% 9% 36% 40% 31% 35% 29% 5% WEST 35% 34% 34% Jncome 34% 33% 36% 30% 32% 31% 23% $75,000+ 30% 43% 21% 6% 22% 22% 21% 21% 19% 18% 33% 38% 24% 5% 18% $30,000-$74,000 20% .... LESS THAN 51% 16% 25% 8% $30,000 Education 10% COLLEGE 29% 42% 21% 8% BEER WINE LIQUOR GRADUATE 33% 32% 29% 6% SOME COLLEGE 0% 5% 1997 1999 2002 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 HIGH SCHOOL 44% 30% 21% GRADUATE OR LESS SOURCE: GALLUP.COM COLLABORATION BETWEEN GOOD AND COLUMN FIVE