Spirits more popular than beer in new market data

Don’t tell Bernie Brewer, but new figures provided by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States show that spirits surpassed beer for U.S. market-share supremacy, based on supplier revenues, according to a report from the Associated Press.

The rise to the top for spirit-makers was fueled in part by the resurgent cocktail culture — including the growing popularity of ready-to-drink concoctions — as well as strong growth in the tequila and American whiskey segments.

In 2022, spirits gained market share for the 13th straight year in the fiercely competitive U.S. beverage alcohol market, as its supplier sales reached 42.1%, the council said.

After years of steady growth, it marked the first time that spirit supplier revenues have surpassed beer — but just barely. Beer still holds a 41.9% market share.

Experts say part of the rise in the popularity of spirits likely comes from younger generations of consumers looking for more variety, but data also shows that liquor has become 20% cheaper relative to beer in recent decades.