Measurement of ethanol consumed in distilled spirits

The amount of ethanol consumed in alcoholic beverages is often used as one indicator of alcohol's impact on health and society. An objective method of measuring the amount consumed in liquor can be derived in most years from the federal excise taxes and revenues that are levied on liquor according to proof or ethanol content. Similar measurement is not possible for wine and beer. Ethanol consumed in liquor and related statistics are provided from 1960 to 1986, as computed from liquor excise tax revenues. Per capita ethanol consumption increased 39.1% between 1960 and 1974, almost the same as the 41.4% increase of apparent liquor consumption. The average ethanol content of liquor remained almost unchanged in this period. In contrast, sustained trends of lower proof and of relatively lower ethanol consumption are shown after 1974. Between 1974 and 1986 average proof of liquor decreased 17.0% and total ethanol consumed fell 23.9%, considerably more than the 8.3% decline of total liquor consumption. Per capita ethanol consumption dropped 37.5%, half again more than the 25.1% decrease of liquor consumption.