Liquor before beer, best to steer clear? Why people are drinking less these days
Have you been at a party recently and found yourself reaching for sparkling water instead of a glass of wine? Join the club.
A new Gallup poll found that Americans are drinking less than ever before. Only 54% of U.S. adults are reporting that they consume alcohol. That’s a record low since the survey company started asking about people’s drinking habits back in 1939.
And young people are drinking less than older Americans, a trend we’re seeing in our region, too: The Seattle Times reports that young people - especially young men - are reporting lower alcohol consumption than other age groups in the area.
We want to know how local businesses are navigating this -- and what could be behind this shift.
Guest:
Sponsored
- Emily Ritchie, executive director of the Northwest Cider Association.
- Malcolm Purinton, assistant teaching professor of history at Northeastern University.
Related stories:
- U.S. Drinking Rate at New Low as Alcohol Concerns Surge | Gallup
- How much do adults in Seattle drink? Here’s what new data shows | The Seattle Times
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.
Sponsored
-
Libby Denkmann
Host, Soundside
Libby Denkmann joined KUOW in December 2021 as the host of the midday show Soundside. She’s a native Pacific Northwesterner who grew up in Redmond, graduated from the University of Washington, and covered local news as a producer and reporter with KIRO Radio.
More stories from Libby Denkmann » -
Maleeha Syed
Producer, Soundside
Maleeha is a producer on Soundside, a show that helps listeners get to know the PNW and each other. Before KUOW, she worked at Cascade PBS, first as a communities reporter and then as a podcast producer on shows like Northwest Reports and Your Last Meal. Before moving to Seattle, she worked as a reporter at the Burlington Free Press in Vermont, but is originally from San Antonio.
More stories from Maleeha Syed »
