Beer Consumption: Average Drinkers And Their Habits

Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in the United States, with 42% of drinkers choosing it over wine and liquor. The average American beer drinker consumes 28.2 gallons of beer per year, or about 10 ounces per day. However, beer consumption varies across the country, with residents of some states drinking more beer than others. North Dakota, for example, has the highest per capita beer consumption at 45.8 gallons, while New York has the lowest at 22.4 gallons.

Beer consumption per state

Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in the US, with 42% of drinkers choosing it as their beverage of choice. In 2021, the average American drank 23.5 gallons of beer per year. However, this number increased to 28.2 gallons in 2024. This works out to be about 10 ounces per day or roughly one six-pack per week for the average adult over the age of 21.

Beer consumption varies across the country, with some states drinking more than others. In 2024, North Dakota topped the list with 45.8 gallons consumed per person, followed by New Hampshire at 43.9 gallons, and Montana at 41.0 gallons. These numbers are significantly higher than the national average.

Several factors can influence beer consumption rates in different states, such as population size, cultural preferences, and local alcohol regulations. For example, California, the most populous state, led the country in total beer consumption in 2021, drinking 795.2 million gallons. On the other hand, Texas, which is also a highly populated state, ranked second in consumption volume but only 9th in per-capita consumption.

In 2023, Missouri was the leading alcohol production state in the US, with Oregon, Ohio, and Kansas also being major producers. These states have a rich history of alcohol regulation, with Oregon and Kansas having extended periods of prohibition.

Beer consumption by country

Beer is one of the most widely consumed alcoholic beverages in the world, outranked only by water and tea. Beer consumption is measured by volume and per capita. The former expresses the amount of beer a country drinks in litres, while the latter divides that number by the population to show the litres of beer consumed per person.

According to the Oxford Companion to Beer, the top 10 countries that consume the most beer per capita are primarily European, with the Czech Republic in the lead, consuming 140.12 litres per capita in 2021. In the Czech Republic, beer is cheaper than bottled water, typically costing around $1 USD for a half-litre. The country is also the birthplace of pilsner. Eight other European countries also make the per-capita consumption list, including Germany, where many modern brewing processes and beer styles were invented. The only non-European country in the top 10 is Botswana, where beer is an affordable alcoholic beverage, and social and cultural dynamics involve drinking alcohol. The United States ranked 24th in the world in 2021, with 72.89 litres of beer consumption per capita.

In terms of total beer consumption, China is the largest consumer, with 34,979 thousand tons consumed in 2021. Asia is the leading region, with a 33.9% share of the global beer market in 2022, remaining the world's largest beer-consuming region for the 15th consecutive year.

Beer consumption per capita

Beer is the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage in the world. According to a Gallup poll, 63% of American adults drink alcohol, with 42% of those drinkers preferring beer. In 2018, Americans consumed an estimated 6.3 billion gallons of beer, or about 26.2 gallons per drinking-age adult. This equates to around 10 ounces per day, or roughly one six-pack per week.

Beer consumption patterns vary across the United States, with per capita consumption ranging from 18.6 gallons to 40.8 gallons, depending on the state. North Dakota has the highest per capita consumption at 45.8 gallons, while New Hampshire and Montana follow closely at 43.9 gallons and 41.0 gallons, respectively. On the other hand, Utah has the lowest per capita consumption at 20.2 gallons.

When compared to other countries, the United States ranked 24th in the world in 2021 for beer consumption per capita, with 72.89 litres consumed per person. The country with the highest per capita consumption that year was the Czech Republic, with 140.12 litres consumed per person. The affordability of beer in the Czech Republic, where it is often cheaper than bottled water, and the country's rich brewing history, may contribute to this high consumption rate.

Beer consumption per year

Beer is the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage on Earth, and the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. Beer consumption per capita varies by country, with the Czech Republic consuming the most beer per person in 2021, at 140.12 litres per capita. The United States, which ranked 24th globally in 2021, consumed 72.89 litres per capita. This equates to approximately 26.2 gallons per drinking-age adult, or 40 gallons per person per year.

When broken down further, this amounts to about 10 ounces per day, or roughly one six-pack per week for the average adult over the age of 21. However, it's important to note that beer consumption patterns are not uniform across the US, with some states having higher per-capita consumption than others. For instance, North Dakota has the highest beer consumption per capita at 45.8 gallons, while New York and New Jersey are among the lowest at 22.4 gallons.

Beer consumption can be associated with developing alcohol use disorder or dependence, and it increases the risk of mental and behavioural disorders, liver cirrhosis, certain cancers, and cardiovascular diseases. It is also linked to injuries resulting from violence and accidents. Therefore, excessive drinking is categorised into two types: binge drinking and heavy drinking. Binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks on a single occasion for women and five or more for men, while heavy drinking is defined as eight or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more for men. Any alcohol consumption during pregnancy is also considered excessive.

Beer consumption by age

Beer consumption varies across different age groups. In the US, 63% of adults consume alcohol, with beer being the favoured beverage of 42% of drinkers. The average American adult over the age of 21 consumes about 10 ounces of beer per day, or roughly one six-pack per week. This equates to around 28.2 gallons of beer per person, per year. However, beer consumption is not uniform across the US, with per capita consumption ranging from 18.6 gallons to 40.8 gallons depending on the state.

In terms of age-specific consumption, data shows that 70% of those aged 35 to 54 consumed alcohol in 2021, compared to 60% of younger consumers (aged 18-34) and 52% of older consumers (aged 55+). This indicates that beer consumption may peak in middle age and decline in older age groups.

Gen Z drinkers (aged 21 and above) spent 40% less on alcohol than Millennials, made five fewer trips per year to purchase alcohol, and were less likely to consume beer regularly. This suggests that younger generations are drinking less beer than their older counterparts.

It is important to note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21, and individuals under this age should refrain from consuming alcohol. Additionally, excessive drinking among adults can be categorised as binge drinking or heavy drinking. Binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks on a single occasion for women and five or more for men, while heavy drinking is defined as eight or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more for men.

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