Poll: More Americans Drinking Alcohol

Gallup's annual drinking poll indicates that 67% of U.S. adults drink alcohol, an increase over last year and the highest rate of alcohol consumption since 1985. The poll also showed that beer remains the most popular drink in the U.S., followed by wine and then liquor.

What is fueling the increase in drinking? Is it the economy, with more Americans out of work or worried about losing their jobs?

Although the rate of drinking is up slightly from last year, overall the percentage of people who drink alcohol in the country has varied little since Gallup first began in 1939. Because the poll is a survey of only 1,020 randomly telephoned people, the same sample size could account for a few percentage points either way when trying to estimate national drinking rates.

When Gallup first polled Americans about their drinking in 1939, the rate was 58 percent. The lowest rate was recorded in 1958 at 55%.

Other findings of the survey include:

• Those who attend church regularly are less likely to drink alcohol.
  
• Those with lowest education and incomes are less likely to drink.
  
• Beer remains the preferred beverage for most Americans, at 41%.
  
• Older women are the biggest fans of wine.

Results of the survey, "U.S. Drinking Rate Edges Up Slightly to 25-Year High, are available online with graphs and charts.

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