Skip to content

Breaking Tri-Cities WA News

News Stories for Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, West Richland and Surrounding Communities

Menu
Menu

Alcohol Consumption Drops To The Lowest Level In Nearly 90 Years

Posted on by admin


A new Gallup poll finds 54% of U.S. adults report regularly drinking alcohol, the lowest level recorded since polling began in 1939.  And that decline is hitting Oregon’s beer and wine industries.

 

Self-reported drinking has fallen from 62% in 2023 to 54% this year, that 54% was unchanged from last year’s poll.

 

“While Oregon is still home to some of the world’s best beer, the reality is, many local breweries are still struggling against unprecedented headwinds and need our customers’ help to survive,” said Lisa Allen, President of the Oregon Brewers Guild and co-owner of Heater Allen Brewing and Gold Dot Beer. “We strongly support moderate drinking, and even if you’re drinking less or not drinking at all, your local brewery or pub will still have options for you that’ll help them weather these hard times.” 

 

Photo: Glenn Vaagen
Photo: Glenn Vaagen
Photo: Glenn Vaagen

 

OBG said craft beer sales are down 4% over the past two years, while wineries reported a 16% decline in 2025.  Since the pandemic, Oregon has lost about 100 breweries, taprooms and brewpubs, along with 70 wineries.

 

Despite these headwinds, Allen said Oregon is still home to 300 breweries, brewpubs and taprooms generating more than $8.9 billion in economic output, $2.8 billion in wages, creating 46,700 jobs in the state.  Oregon’s 800 wineries and 40,000 vineyard acres support 40,000 jobs and contributes $2.2 billion in wages, 3.7 million tourism visits a year and $7.08 billion in annual economic activity. 

 

Click Here to check out that Gallup poll.

 

Photo: Glenn Vaagen
Photo: Glenn Vaagen
Photo: Glenn Vaagen

 

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com 



Source link

Get a daily summary email:
Powered by follow.it

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim.

Tri-Cities WA News is supported by our audience, if you click and purchase through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

©2026 Breaking Tri-Cities WA News | Design: Newspaperly WordPress Theme