Meanwhile, as the pandemic raged, online happy hours spread as ways to maintain the social connections of drinking. Ozgo said national trends also showed an initial spike in liquor store sales as consumers stocked up early in the pandemic, but the the growth rate decelerated as the months passed. Sales so far this year are up about 5% from a year ago, he said. “They ended up buying something else,” he said.ĭemand eventually slowed somewhat, and the year ended with sales up about 15% over 2019, Uppal said. But customers unable to find their favorite spirits didn’t leave empty handed. Each spring day resembled a weekend, and the rush at times left him without some brands, he said. restaurants and bars collapsed by 44% last year, the council said.Īn 18% surge in off-premise sales at liquor stores and other retail outlets helped offset those losses, as consumers increasingly mixed their own drinks while cooped up at home.Īt Barret Liquors in Louisville, Kentucky, sales surged 30% to 40% last spring as the pandemic took hold, store owner Manoj Uppal said this week. The spirits industry’s on-premise sales from U.S. spirits suppliers, and the spirits industry increased its share of the total beverage alcohol market, the council said.īut restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 took a toll. Industrywide, overall sales and volumes grew for U.S.

“We often romanticize the past, but when it comes to American whiskey the golden age is today,” said David Ozgo, the council’s chief economist.

The pandemic performance reflected the industry’s durability, the distilled spirits trade group said.

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