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Beer surge comes at wine’s expense
We’ll start delving deeper into the local Restaurant Week offerings tomorrow and later in the week, but until then, there’s news about an annual Gallup poll that shows Beer has regained a comfortable margin over wine when U.S. drinkers are asked to name which alcoholic beverage they most often drink.
“In recent years, wine had narrowed the gap, including pulling slightly ahead in 2005 (though not by a significant margin),” the Gallup news release says. “(B)ut for the first time since 2002, beer enjoys a better-than-double-digit advantage over wine.”
This is surprising to me, especially given the virtual flood of positive news regarding potential health benefits of moderate consumption of wine. Got to admit, I thought the trend toward wine that apparently peaked in 2005 would keep going.
So, what do you think is going on? Was it just the “Sideways Effect” after all?
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Comments
By Dave the Wine Merchant
July 30, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
It is definitely the economy. We still enjoy recognition from our licensed property - the Sideways Wine Club - but in our wine shop and tasting bar our beer sales are growing faster than our wine sales, and we offer the latter by the 1-oz taste or the 5-oz glass, so we’ve removed the risk of taking home a wine you don’t like. Besides, I think winelovers and beer lovers have a significant overlap, once you eliminate the watery American Lagers. This poor excuse for beer was introduced after Prohibition, when the only objective was to produce massive quantities as quickly as possible to meet the needs of a thirsty public. The style grew to become all that Americans knew of beer. Now we’re rediscovering the pleasures of hand-crafted beers. About bloody time! Dave the Wine MerchantBy Joe
July 29, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
There’s nothing more refreshing than a good glass of beer or ale, particularly if its from the tap. You will never convince a wine drinker of that however. There are people who love wine and people who love beer and the twain shall never meet. there are crossovers though. I wouldn’t like tying into a good steak without a decent glass of red wine to accompany it. Let’s celebrate both beverages. Life would be dull without them.By IPA
July 29, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
I doubt too much it’s the economy, because beer was ahead when things were better. Lisamarie has it right for the most part. Breweries are taking a page from wineries, and informing the public that the 20-some styles of beer will pair with all types of food, and the craft movement is surging with this realization..much to the dismay of the mega-breweries who don’t offer a product with much flavor or versatility, suggested earlier by parental. Sure cost has always been an attractive aspect of beer, but with the huge production costs necessary for beer, I see the prices already gaining. It will always be the best bargain for the finest beverage known to mankind.By steve
July 29, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
stu — if you can’t find anything good coming from ca less than $25 you haven’t been looking very hard…By parental
July 29, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
I think it’s an increased emphasis on good beer. Customers are not content with the old Bud, Bud Light, etc. Beer actually goes better than wine with almost every food, and as people find out, they want good beer. Good wine will always be with us, but for versatility and cost reasons, beer will and should remain the leader.By beersurebegood
July 28, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
burrrpBy lisamarie
July 28, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
I’ve seen an increased effort by microbreweries to start pairing food and wine as well as host tastings here locally that may account for some of that. It’s also a lot less financially risky to try new beers than it is explore wines…By Stu
July 28, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
It’s the economy. Beer is cheaper than wine, when times are tough and you want a buzz, you go to the cheaper option. The dollar being low makes foreign wine expensive, and nothing decent comes out California for less than $25 bucks.