Surveillance Report COVID-19

Alcohol Sales During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Here we present such data as are available on per capita alcohol sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. We do so as a service both to the general public and to researchers who are interested in how recent events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the nation's alcohol consumption.

NIAAA routinely reports apparent per capita alcohol consumption by state in its Surveillance Report series (https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/surveillance-reports). Those data come from various state sources that monitor sales, primarily for taxation purposes. In some states (13 states so far), the data are reported monthly for all three beverage types (i.e., spirits, wine, and beer) and are currently available for the months of March 2020 through August 2021 as of March 25, 2022. We intend to update this information as data for subsequent months or from additional states become available. Some of the estimates reported in the current report may differ from those published in the previous month due to updates and revisions based on data received after publication.

We provide a summary report (see Figures 1 through 37) and a corresponding data file that researchers can use for their own analyses. The state sales data do not distinguish between on- and off-premise sales, so the data presented below are based on total monthly sales (on- and off-premise sales combined) of alcoholic beverages in each state. Similar to the NIAAA's annual surveillance report on apparent per capita alcohol consumption, this summary report presents sales data that have been converted to gallons of ethanol (pure alcohol) and divided by each state's resident population ages 14 and older to obtain per capita ethanol estimates that are comparable across states, beverage types, and years.

List of Figures

Figure 1. Percentage changes in monthly per capita sales of alcoholic beverages (in gallons of ethanol) in 2020 or 2021 compared to the 2017–2019 3-year average in 13 states combined (Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas).

Figure 2. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in March 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 3. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in March 2020 compared to March 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 4. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in April 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 5. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in April 2020 compared to April 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 6. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in May 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 7. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in May 2020 compared to May 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 8. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in June 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 9. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in June 2020 compared to June 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 10. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in July 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 11. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in July 2020 compared to July 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 12. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in August 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 13. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in August 2020 compared to August 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 14. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in September 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 15. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in September 2020 compared to September 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 16. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in October 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 17. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in October 2020 compared to October 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 18. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in November 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 19. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in November 2020 compared to November 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 20. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in December 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 21. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in December 2020 compared to December 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 22. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in January 2021 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 23. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in January 2021 compared to January 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 24. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in February 2021 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 25. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in February 2021 compared to February 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 26. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in March 2021 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 27. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in March 2021 compared to March 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 28. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in April 2021 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 29. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in April 2021 compared to April 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 30. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in May 2021 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 31. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in May 2021 compared to May 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 32. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in June 2021 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 33. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in June 2021 compared to June 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 34. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in July 2021 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 35. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in July 2021 compared to July 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 36. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in August 2021 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 37. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in August 2021 compared to August 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Figure 1. Percentage changes in monthly per capita sales of alcoholic beverages (in gallons of ethanol) in 2020 or 2021 compared to the 2017–2019 3-year average in 13 states combined (Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas).

Note: Source of State Population Denominators: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Bridged-Race Population Estimates, United States July 1st Resident Population by State, County, Age, Sex, Bridged-Race, and Hispanic Origin. Vintage 2020 postcensal population estimates (released on 9/22/2021). Available on CDC WONDER Online Database at: https://wonder.cdc.gov/Bridged-Race-v2020.HTML.

Data for Figure 1

Figure 2. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in March 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 2

Figure 3. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in March 2020 compared to March 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 3

Figure 4. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in April 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 4

Figure 5. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in April 2020 compared to April 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.>

Data for Figure 5

Figure 6. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in May 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 6

Figure 7. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in May 2020 compared to May 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 7

Figure 8. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in June 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 8

Figure 9. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in June 2020 compared to June 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 9

Figure 10. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in July 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 10

Figure 11. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in July 2020 compared to July 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 11

Figure 12. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in August 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022

Data for Figure 12

Figure 13. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in August 2020 compared to August 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 13

Figure 14. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in September 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 14

Figure 15. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in September 2020 compared to September 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 15

Figure 16. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in October 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 16

Figure 17. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in October 2020 compared to October 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 17

Figure 18. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in November 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 18

Figure 19. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in November 2020 compared to November 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 19

Figure 20. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in December 2020 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 20

Figure 21. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in December 2020 compared to December 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 21

Figure 22. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in January 2021 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 22

Figure 23. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in January 2021 compared to January 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 23

Figure 24. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in February 2021 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 24

Figure 25. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in February 2021 compared to February 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 25

Figure 26. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in March 2021 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 26

Figure 27. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in March 2021 compared to March 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 27

Figure 28. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in April 2021 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 28

Figure 29. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in April 2021 compared to April 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 29

Figure 30. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in May 2021 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 30

Figure 31. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in May 2021 compared to May 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 31

Figure 32. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in June 2021 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 32

Figure 33. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in June 2021 compared to June 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 33

Figure 34. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in July 2021 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 34

Figure 35. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in July 2021 compared to July 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 35

Figure 36. Per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in August 2021 in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 36

Figure 37. Percentage changes in per capita sales of spirits, wine, and beer (in gallons of ethanol) in August 2021 compared to August 2017–2019 (3-year average) in states with data available as of March 25, 2022.

Data for Figure 37

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Surveillance Report COVID-19

List of Figures

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