The Joy of Beer: Celebrating Responsibility, Moderation, and Community Impact

by Brian Crawford
President and CEO

From family gatherings and friendly barbecues to cheering for your favorite sports team, beer plays a central role in life's most joyous moments. When celebrating those special occasions with your favorite beer, it's crucial to remember to do so responsibly. At the Beer Institute, we recognize the importance of promoting moderation and responsible consumption, ensuring that these special moments are enjoyed safely.

Moderation is vital to enjoying alcohol in a safe and responsible way. The current federal dietary guidelines for Americans provide clear recommendations: adults of legal drinking age should limit their intake to two drinks or less per day for men and one drink or less per day for women. Of course, some individuals, like pregnant women or those with certain medical conditions, should avoid alcohol altogether.

In support of these guidelines for responsible drinking, we've developed tools like "Know Your Drink," which helps consumers understand the alcohol content of different beverages. This is particularly useful for comparing the alcohol content of hard liquor, cocktails, wine and beer, enabling consumers to make more responsible choices about what they drink.

The beer industry has also championed nutritional transparency, ensuring consumers have access to essential information about the beer they enjoy. In 2016, the Beer Institute announced the Brewers' Voluntary Disclosure Initiative, a key program in which participating brewers and importers voluntarily provide consumers with serving facts, freshness dating, and disclosure of ingredients in their products.

Now, more than 95% of the beer volume sold by Anheuser-Busch, Molson Coors Beverage Company, Constellation Brands Beer Division, HEINEKEN USA, and FIFCO USA voluntarily includes this valuable nutritional information on their products, either directly on the packaging or on their respective websites.

No other alcohol segment provides the same level of transparency as brewers and beer importers, reflecting our commitment to empowering consumers to drink responsibly.

Brewers have also embraced the growing demand for low- and no-alcohol options. These products offer the same great taste with reduced or no alcohol content, giving consumers more flexibility and choice. In fact, beer makes up 86% of no-alcohol beverage sales, with the segment growing 40% year over year.

The beer industry continues to reaffirm our long-standing commitment to promote responsible consumption. This is reflected through numerous initiatives aimed at preventing drunk driving, reducing underage drinking, and promoting a culture of safe and moderate drinking. Programs like safe ride initiatives, educational campaigns, and strict adherence to advertising and marketing codes underscore the industry's dedication to public safety.

Recent data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows a decline in problematic binge drinking among U.S. adults and historic lows in underage drinking. A recent Gallup poll on consumption habits shows that Americans are consuming alcohol more responsibly, indicating the positive impact of these initiatives. The significant investment made by brewers into programs that minimize underage drinking and promote responsible consumption are clearly making a tangible difference.

Beer enriches our lives, adding joy to celebrations and connecting people. The Beer Institute and our members remain dedicated to ensuring that beer remains a positive force in society by promoting consumer choice, transparency, and safety. By embracing these values, we can continue to enjoy beer occasions while safeguarding health and well-being.

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