Drinking Decline

A Sip of Reality

Once upon a time, Americans embraced drinking like a rite of passage. But as of August 2025, just 54% of U.S. adults report drinking alcohol—the lowest rate since Gallup started tracking in 1939 (Sources: The Washington PostAxios). What’s behind this sober shift? Rising health awareness is the main driver: 53% now believe that even moderate drinking is harmful—up dramatically from just 28% in 2015 (Sources: AP NewsThe Washington Post).

Generation Z: Raising Glasses Less, Living More

The steepest declines are happening among younger adults and teens. Among 18–34-year-olds, alcohol use dropped from 59% in 2023 to 50% in 2025 (Sources: The Washington Post). And while it’s not the sole factor, lifestyle choices like health-first habits, social media influences, and “sober curiosity” are reshaping how people unwind (Sources: TIME Wikipedia).

Teen Drinking: A Dramatic Retreat

Perhaps most striking: only 42% of 12th graders reported drinking alcohol in 2024, down from 75% in 1997. Tenth graders dropped to 26% (from 65%), and eighth graders to 13% (from 46%) (Sources: Vox). The Monitoring the Future survey also confirms widespread declines in teen use of alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana (Sources: People.com).

Health Wins Across the Board

This trend isn’t just a cultural shift—it’s a public health victory. About 4,000 under-21 Americans die every year from issues tied to excessive alcohol use—ranging from car crashes to suicides and drownings (Sources: Vox McLean Hospital.) Reduced teen drinking directly corresponds to fewer serious accidents and long-term addiction risks.

Moreover, even moderate drinking carries serious health risks. It’s been increasingly discredited as harmless or beneficial—in fact, experts now state there’s no safe level of alcohol consumption (Sources: Vox Wikipedia). Risks span cancers (breast, colorectal, liver, esophageal), high blood pressure, poor sleep, and more (Sources: Vox Wikipedia).

The Social Squeeze

Still, not all trends are celebratory. Some experts warn that this decline might be symptomatic of a deeper issue: Americans are socializing less, and alcohol, in moderation, has traditionally served as a social lubricant (Sources: Vox).

Why It Matters

As voices for beer lovers, we’re not here to shame alcohol. Instead, this shift invites us to reimagine beer culture with more intentionality—champion smarter drinking, highlight non-alcoholic alternatives, and spotlight experiences that don’t revolve around getting tipsy.

The Takeaway

• Americans are drinking less overall, with only 54% consuming alcohol.

• More people now view even moderate drinking as unhealthy.

• Teen drinking has plummeted, delivering clear public health gains.

• Though moderation is key, any amount of alcohol carries risk.

• The decline also raises deeper questions about social isolation.

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David McCormick, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, speaks at a campaign event at the Beerded Goat Brewing Co., April 25, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)
(Marc Levy / Associated Press)

Republican Rally at The Beerded Goat