A federal agency recently reported that there has been a slow but steady increase in alcohol consumption since 2002. North Dakota, Iowa, Delaware, Oregon, and Idaho have the highest increase in consumption for Spirits. Delaware, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Idaho, and Tennessee are on the rise for Wine. And lastly, South Dakota, Kentucky, Ohio, Florida, Delaware, and Tennessee had the highest increase in consumption for beer. The report shows that state alcohol excise taxes have fallen since 1991 (spirits by thirty two percent, wine by twenty seven percent, and beer by thirty percent). Lower taxes led to lower overall prices and more competition amongst suppliers, combined with the allure of the craft beverage trend has factored into the rise in consumption in many states.
Source: Forbes, December 2018