Mason Delacroix
Alcohol is a mainstay in popular culture, with its frequent association with celebrations, sporting events, and birthdays. The opportunities to drink are endless, with alcohol being the third most popular drink worldwide after water and tea. In 2019, the global alcohol consumption per person aged 15 or older was 5.5 litres, a decrease from 5.7 litres in 2010. Beer is the most consumed alcoholic beverage globally, with a slight increase in production from 2021 to 2022. Baijiu, a Chinese liquor, was the highest-selling liquor in 2022, with sales of $95.21 billion, beating whisky. Other popular alcoholic drinks include Soju, a Korean drink, and Cachaça, a Brazilian drink.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Global alcohol consumption in 2019 | 5.5 litres of pure alcohol consumed per person aged 15 years or older |
| Type of Alcohol | Beer, Wine, Spirits (Vodka, Whiskey, Brandy, Rum, Tequila), Liqueurs, Soju, Shochu, Mead, Cachaça |
| Most Popular Spirit Brand in the World | Jinro Soju |
| Ancestor of all alcoholic beverages | Mead |
| Countries with highest consumption | WHO European Region, Region of the Americas |
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What You'll Learn
- Beer: the most popular alcoholic drink worldwide, especially in Germany, Belgium, the US, and the Czech Republic
- Wine: made from fermented grapes, it's considered prestigious, with France, Italy, Spain, and the US as top producers
- Spirits: distilled beverages like vodka are widely consumed, including Soju, the world's most popular spirit brand
- Whiskey: produced by distilling malt and grains, with Scotch, Bourbon, and Irish whiskeys being popular varieties
- Brandy: obtained by fermenting and distilling grapes and fruits, with Cognac and Armagnac being famous varieties
Beer: the most popular alcoholic drink worldwide, especially in Germany, Belgium, the US, and the Czech Republic
Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage worldwide, with China being the largest beer-consuming country for 21 consecutive years. Globally, beer drives the market for alcoholic beverages, with North America and the Asia-Pacific expected to dominate the market in the coming years.
Regionally, Europe is home to nine of the top ten countries with the highest beer consumption per capita. The Czech Republic has held the top spot for 31 consecutive years, with an average consumption of 152.1 litres of beer per capita. This equates to each person drinking more than one bottle of beer per day. The Czech Republic is also the birthplace of the first pilsner, a pale lager invented in 1842, and is now home to Pilsner Urquell, the country's largest brewer.
Austria, a neighbour of the Czech Republic, follows in second place, with popular brands including Ottakringer and Stiegl. Belgium is another European country with a strong beer culture, boasting a diverse range of craft and microbreweries. Outside of Europe, Namibia is the top beer-drinking country in Africa, Panama ranks highest in Latin America, and Cambodia is number one in Asia.
In North America, the United States has a notable beer culture, with a variety of craft breweries and a strong homebrewing community. While specific data on beer consumption in the US is not readily available, the country has a significant beer market and is known for its craft beer movement.
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Wine: made from fermented grapes, it's considered prestigious, with France, Italy, Spain, and the US as top producers
Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grape juice. The process of fermentation involves the transformation of sugars present in the juice into ethanol and carbon dioxide by yeast. The earliest use of the word "fermentation" in winemaking referred to the "boiling" within the must, caused by the anaerobic reaction of yeast to the sugars in the grape juice. The discovery of the connection between yeast and fermentation is attributed to Louis Pasteur in the mid-19th century.
Wine has a long and prestigious history, with ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Romans considering it a luxury item and an important part of their culture. Today, wine continues to be held in high regard, with many considering it a sophisticated drink and an essential component of fine dining. Wine is also a significant economic driver, with wine tourism and the prestige associated with wine-producing regions contributing to the industry's success.
In 2021, the top five wine producers were Italy, France, Spain, the United States, and China. These countries accounted for over 90% of the world's total production of 27 million tonnes of wine. France, Italy, and Spain, often referred to as the "traditional wine-producing countries", have a long history of winemaking and are known for their diverse and renowned wine regions. For example, Bordeaux and Burgundy in France, Tuscany and Piedmont in Italy, and Rioja and Ribera del Duero in Spain are famous for their high-quality wines.
The United States, a more recent addition to the top wine-producing countries, has rapidly gained recognition for its wines, particularly from regions like California's Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Additionally, China, now the sixth-largest producer, has been adopting Western winemaking technologies, especially French techniques, to produce wines similar to those from France.
While global wine consumption has slightly dipped, the industry remains robust, with expanding production and consumption in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in South America. Wine's cultural significance, diverse flavours, and ability to complement a variety of cuisines have contributed to its popularity and prestigious status worldwide.
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Spirits: distilled beverages like vodka are widely consumed, including Soju, the world's most popular spirit brand
Spirits are a popular alcoholic beverage worldwide, with vodka being one of the most widely consumed spirits. However, the world's most popular spirit brand is Soju, a South Korean drink that has a whopping 97% share of the spirits market in the country. Soju is distilled from rice but can also be made from various grains and starches, including sweet potato, tapioca, and barley. It has an alcohol content ranging from 25% to 45% ABV. Outside of South Korea, Soju is gaining popularity in places like New York, London, and even in the UK, where it is often served chilled in Korean bars and restaurants.
Soju's popularity can be attributed to its relatively low alcohol content, smooth flavor, and refreshing quality. It is often described as having a subtle flavor with hints of sweetness, making it a versatile drink that pairs well with a variety of foods. The brand Jinro Soju has topped the best-selling global spirits lists for years, selling 65 million nine-liter cases in 2013, three times more than Smirnoff.
While Soju is the most popular spirit brand, other spirits like vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, Scotch, and tequila are also widely consumed. Vodka, for example, has been the most consumed spirit in the US since 1970, with 78.1 million cases sold in 2021. Tequila's popularity has also been on the rise, surpassing whisky in retail sales in 2021 due to the expansion of the premium spirits sector and the introduction of new flavors.
In China, Baijiu is the most consumed spirit, outselling other categories of spirits like whisky, brandy, rum, gin, vodka, and tequila combined. The Chinese market for Baijiu is still young and has room for growth, especially as mixologists start to use it in cocktails.
While spirits are popular, it is worth noting that beer is the most consumed alcohol globally, and wine tourism and premium wines are also driving growth in wine consumption. Cider has also gained popularity, especially in the UK, where 47.8% of households now regularly buy cider.
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Whiskey: produced by distilling malt and grains, with Scotch, Bourbon, and Irish whiskeys being popular varieties
Whiskey is a popular alcoholic beverage produced by distilling malt and grains, and it is then typically aged in oak barrels. The process of distillation involves heating the mixture of malt and grains, which separates the alcohol from the water and results in a higher alcohol content. The production process and the type of grain used give whiskey its distinct flavour. Single malt whiskey is produced using only one type of grain, whereas blends use a combination of grains.
Scotch, Bourbon, and Irish whiskeys are among the most popular whiskey varieties worldwide. Scotch whisky is made in Scotland and is known for its smoky, peaty flavour, which comes from drying the barley over burning peat. Bourbon, on the other hand, is primarily associated with the United States, particularly Kentucky. It is made from a minimum of 51% corn and has a sweeter, smoother taste than Scotch. Irish whiskey is also well-loved and tends to be smoother and sweeter than Scotch, with a more diverse range of flavours.
In addition to these well-known varieties, Japanese whiskey has also gained recognition in recent years. Whiskey production in Japan began in the 1920s, and the country now boasts several award-winning distilleries. Japanese whiskeys are known for their delicate, subtle flavours.
Whiskey is typically consumed neat or on the rocks, but it is also commonly used in cocktails, such as the Old Fashioned or the Manhattan. It is a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, making it a popular choice for drinkers worldwide.
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Brandy: obtained by fermenting and distilling grapes and fruits, with Cognac and Armagnac being famous varieties
Brandy is a distilled spirit made from fruit-based wine. The word 'brandy' originates from the Dutch word 'brandewijn', which means 'burnt wine'. Brandy can be produced using any fruit, such as pears, apples, or cherries. However, if it is not made from grapes, it must be labelled with the fruit that it is made from. For instance, Kirschwasser is a German cherry brandy, whereas Poire Williams is a colourless fruit brandy made from Williams pears.
Cognac and Armagnac are famous varieties of brandy. Cognac is produced by distilling wine made from grapes grown in designated regions. The wine used in making cognac is very dry, acidic, and thin, and is typically considered "undrinkable". Cognac is classified by crus, or tightly defined geographic denominations, where the grapes are grown. Each cognac house has a master taster (maître de chai) who blends the spirits to ensure a consistent house style and quality.
Armagnac, the oldest recorded brandy in the world, is named after the region of Gascony in southwestern France, where it is exclusively produced. Armagnac is made with a dry style of wine similar to that of cognac, but it uses different grape varietals, including Folle blanche, Colombard, and Baco blanc. The region is divided into three zones, and its production is heavily regulated. Armagnac is traditionally distilled once, resulting in a more fragrant and flavourful spirit than cognac.
The main difference between Armagnac and Cognac lies in their distillation processes. Armagnac is distilled once, while Cognac is double distilled in batches. Armagnac is typically made and sold by small producers, whereas Cognac production is dominated by big-name brands such as Hennessy and Rémy Martin. Armagnac allows for yearly variations in flavour, producing 'Millesime expressions' that celebrate a single vintage. On the other hand, Cognac blends different eaux de vie to achieve a complexity of flavours.
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Frequently asked questions
Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage globally, with distilled alcoholic beverages, wine, and spirits also being commonly consumed.
Some examples include vodka, whiskey, rum, tequila, and brandy.
Wines made from grape fermentation, such as those from France, Italy, Spain, and the USA, are considered prestigious and are among the world's most important wine producers.
Jinro Soju is the most popular spirit brand worldwide, with 100.9 million 9-liter cases sold in 2022. Other popular spirits include Shochu from Japan, and Cachaça, the national drink of Brazil.
Mead, an ancient alcoholic beverage, has seen a resurgence in modern times, with a new meadery opening in the US every three days on average.
