Data and information on which countries consume the most beer, both overall and per capita. Includes additional information on beer types and beer history.
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Has beer consumption gone down in America over the past 30 years
Has beer consumption gone down in America over the past 30 years
Answer
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Beer consumption in America has indeed declined over the past 30 years, with a particularly notable decrease in recent years.
Long-term Trend
While there have been fluctuations, the overall trend shows a decline in beer consumption since the 1990s. In 2023, beer shipments in the United States were expected to fall below 200 million barrels for the first time since 1999. This represents a significant drop from peak consumption levels.
Recent Acceleration
The decline has accelerated in recent years:
In 2023, U.S. beer volume sales decreased by 3%.
For the first seven months of 2024, overall alcohol volumes in the U.S. fell by 2.8%.
Beer volumes specifically declined by 2.9% in 2023.
Factors Contributing to Decline
Changing Consumer Preferences: Younger generations are drinking less alcohol overall, with only 59% of 18-to-34 year olds identifying as alcohol drinkers, down from 72% in the early 2000s.
Health Awareness: 45% of Americans now consider moderate drinking (1-2 drinks per day) as damaging to health, up from about half that in the mid-2000s.
Competition from Alternatives: The rise of hard seltzers, ready-to-drink cocktails, and other alternatives has impacted beer sales.
Craft Beer Plateau: After a boom in the 2010s, the craft beer industry has seen growth flatten in recent years.
While beer consumption has decreased, it's worth noting that alcohol sales overall have shown some resilience. Despite volume declines, dollar sales have continued to grow due to price increases and a shift towards more expensive brands.
