Poll: U.S. Favors Beer Over Wine

About two-thirds of U.S. adults drink alcohol -- and most
usually drink beer, according to a new Gallup poll on alcohol consumption.

About 1,000 U.S. adults aged 18 and older participated in the poll, which
was conducted by phone earlier this month. The poll's margin of error is plus
or minus 3%.

Participants answered questions about their drinking habits. A total of 64%
indicated that they drink alcohol. The remaining 36% called themselves
"total abstainers" from alcohol.

Participants who reported drinking alcohol were asked whether they usually
drink beer, wine, or alcohol.

The majority -- 40% -- indicated that they usually drink beer. About 34%
favored wine and 22% preferred liquor. The remaining 4% liked beer, wine, and
liquor equally.

Men and younger drinkers were more likely to favor beer. Women and older
drinkers ended to favor wine.

Most drinkers -- 65% -- noted that they'd had a drink within the past
week.

Less than a quarter of the drinkers -- 22% -- reported sometimes drinking
more than they think they should. Among all participants -- drinkers and
teetotalers alike -- 35% indicated that drinking had ever been a cause of
trouble in their family.

The poll also included this question, "Do you, personally, think
drinking in moderation -- that is, one or two drinks a day -- is good for your
health, makes no difference, or is bad for your health?"

All of the participants were asked that question, whether or not they drank
alcohol.

Nearly half of the group -- 49% -- chose "makes no difference" as
their answer. Another 22% voiced the belief that moderate drinking is good for
health; 25% said drinking was "bad" for health, and 4% had no opinion
on the topic.

By Miranda Hitti
Reviewed by Louise Chang
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