Booze Money: Are Americans Drinking Smarter & Better?

by The Drink Nation on Jun 21, 2012 in Culture
Booze Money: Are Americans Drinking Smarter & Better?

NPR’s Smart Money published a great series of infographics describing the differences in booze spending in 2012 vs. 1982, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The first takeaway is that the average American spends $1 out of every $100 on drinking. One percent of your hard-earned moolah goes to get you buzzed, and this fact hasn’t changed over the last 30 years.

What has changed are what we spend that money on — we drink at bars and restaurants instead of at home much more often (40% vs. 24% of the time). The restaurant boom spreading across the U.S. might mean we actually drink less: it’s more expensive to drink in bars than it is to make your own, and we’re spending the same amount of money. Hence, we must be imbibing lower quantities, as a nation.

It’s not only anecdotal that it’s more expensive to go out than be a hermit, since 1982, drinks at bars and restaurants have skyrocketed 79% (in inflation-adjusted dollars), whereas the cost of booze at the liquor store has dropped nearly 40%.

Maybe Americans are becoming more cultured, too. When we do buy at the store and take it back to our dens, we’re buying much more wine than in the ‘80s, and less hard liquor. (The amount of beer we take home has stayed pretty much the same.) We’d suggest the rise in individual wine purchase is thanks to the ready availability of information on different vintages and varietals now easily accessible online — you don’t have to be a trained sommelier just to make sure you snag a good bottle.

For more graphics and links to supporting studies, head over to the original piece on NPR.

Top photo by Danya Henninger; infographic by Lam Thuy Vo / NPR

Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

For this exciting installment of Behind the Bar, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Liana Oster, the head bartender at Dante in New Yo...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jan 7, 2020
Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

PBR has launched their own whiskey. Let's keep an open mind and see what is inside this bottle....read more ›

by Carrie Dow Sep 24, 2019
The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

There's a new investigative series about one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the wine world....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Sep 13, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Store Rectangle
Baltimore's Coolest Rooftop Bars for Summer Drinking

Baltimore's Coolest Rooftop Bars for Summer Drinking

Whether it's on warm summer nights or with the briskness of spring and fall evenings, drinking is often at its best when it's al fresco. ...read more ›

by Jennifer Waldera Jul 31, 2019
Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Scientists may have discovered a more environmentally friendly way to make one of the world's most popular spi...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jul 23, 2019
Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Negroni Week 2019 is June 24-30, so drink this classic cocktail for a good cause....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jun 19, 2019
What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

If you're taking an Uber, Lyft, or cab and feel unsafe, there are steps you can take to protect yourself....read more ›

by Nina Starner Jun 19, 2019
Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

This time on Behind the Bar, we spoke to Kat Corbo of The Study, who recently won Speed Rack 2019....read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 15, 2019
Where to Drink Outside in Baltimore During Summer 2019

Where to Drink Outside in Baltimore During Summer 2019

Whether it's on the waterfront with seafood and crushes or on a dog-friendly deck with whiskey, outdoor drinking is a staple in this city....read more ›

by Jennifer Waldera May 14, 2019
Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

In a huge move for the American craft beer community, Boston Beer and Dogfish Head have agreed to a merger valued at $300 million dollars. ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 10, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close