Distilled spirits market share in the U.S. has surpassed beer for the first time, growing supplier sales market share for the 13th straight year up to 42.1%. The growth puts spirits just slightly ahead of beer at the end of 2022, with beer posting a market share of 41.9%.
According to the annual economic briefing by Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), spirits supplier sales in the U.S. grew by 5.1% in 2022, totaling a record sum of $37.6 billion. Volumes also rose 4.8%.
The biggest growth sector was in premium cocktails, including spirits-based RTDs, which grew at by 35.8%.
The consumer trend towards cocktails and RTD’s is likely to continue at least in the near future. With canned wine, cannabis, hard seltzer and other non-traditional beer drinks gaining popularity, beer may be slow to grow in coming years.