Beer is still the number one beverage of choice for Americans over the age of 21, data and measurement company Nielsen announced Friday. Four out of 10 regular drinkers prefer the frothy beverage over wine and liquor. Nielsen's Harris poll found that beer was the preferred drink of 55 percent of men, 41 percent of younger generations (ages 21-34) and people who live in the south. Domestic non-craft beer was preferred by 38 percent of beer drinkers, while craft and imported beers were favored by 29 percent and 23 percent, respectively. Wine came in second place overall, but was the top drink of choice for 46 percent of American women. The survey also discovered that 42 percent of adults over the age of 65 preferred wine, and 37 percent of high income households (over $100,000 annually) reached for the fermented grape beverage. Interestingly enough, many of today's wine drinkers opted for beer or liquor just a decade ago. While nearly 75 percent of wine lovers (over the age of 31) preferred the same drink two years ago, only four out of 10 people selected wine in 2007.

Beer is still the number one beverage of choice for Americans over the age of 21, data and measurement company Nielsen announced Friday. Four out of 10 regular drinkers prefer the frothy beverage over wine and liquor.

Nielsen's Harris poll found that beer was the preferred drink of 55 percent of men, 41 percent of younger generations (ages 21-34) and people who live in the south.


Domestic non-craft beer was preferred by 38 percent of beer drinkers, while craft and imported beers were favored by 29 percent and 23 percent, respectively.

Wine came in second place overall, but was the top drink of choice for 46 percent of American women. The survey also discovered that 42 percent of adults over the age of 65 preferred wine, and 37 percent of high income households (over $100,000 annually) reached for the fermented grape beverage.

Interestingly enough, many of today's wine drinkers opted for beer or liquor just a decade ago. While nearly 75 percent of wine lovers (over the age of 31) preferred the same drink two years ago, only four out of 10 people selected wine in 2007.