If you’re someone who loves to kick back on a Friday night with a cold beer, you might be in the minority these days. According to a recent poll by Gallup, the number of Americans choosing beer as their go-to drink is on the decline, and another beverage is taking its place. This shift in drinking preferences can be seen in the poll results, which show that about two-thirds of Americans consume alcoholic beverages, with 62 percent of those respondents drinking alcohol on occasion, whether it be beer, wine, or hard liquor. Interestingly, this percentage is not far off from the average reported in 1939 when Gallup first conducted this study, which was 63 percent. However, when comparing the results over the years, there have been fluctuating trends in alcohol consumption. The lowest percentage of Americans admitting to drinking alcohol was in 1958 at 55 percent, while the highest was during the three-year period from 1976 to 1978, when 71 percent of respondents reported drinking alcohol.

So, why are Americans drinking less alcohol now compared to over 40 years ago? It’s not simply a matter of changing times. When respondents were asked about their drinking habits, 69 percent claimed to have had an alcoholic beverage in the past seven days, and 32 percent said they had their last drink within 24 hours of the survey. Additionally, 37 percent reported having enjoyed an alcoholic beverage within the past two to seven days, leading Gallup to conclude that the average American drinker consumes about four drinks per week. Looking deeper into the data, the demographic most likely to consume alcohol consists of college-educated, middle-aged men and women between the ages of 35 and 54, with a household income of $100,000 or more. Interestingly, this demographic is also less likely to attend religious services.

Among those who don’t drink alcohol, the reasons for their abstinence varied. Twenty-four percent said they simply had no desire or interest in drinking, while others cited reasons such as not liking the taste or having health concerns due to pre-existing conditions. Some individuals also expressed fear of negative experiences associated with alcohol or based their decision on personal religious beliefs.

When it comes to preferred alcoholic beverages, 37 percent of respondents chose beer, followed by 31 percent for liquor and 29 percent for wine. Men were twice as likely to choose beer over women, while women were three times more likely to choose wine. The younger demographic, between 18 and 34 years old, tended to drink beer and liquor more frequently, while other age groups leaned towards wine as their beverage of choice.

According to Gallup, beer is losing popularity as the preferred beverage today. Although it still holds the top spot percentage-wise, its preference has decreased compared to the 1990s and early 2000s when almost half of respondents chose beer as their go-to drink. On the other hand, those who prefer liquor comprise the largest percentage of drinkers on record so far. If this poll is any indication, cocktails are poised to have their moment in the spotlight. So, cheers to vodka and the evolving preferences of American drinkers!