2025
9
US Black Consumers: Alcoholic Beverages – Spotlight on Beer and Wine: 2025
2025-12-18T11:48:13+00:00
REPADC1D5F1_B56B_498D_B980_61BF70BF203D
3695
189766
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Black consumers' growing economic power contributes to how they engage with alcohol and the US alcohol landscape, driving brands to move beyond representation toward cultural authenticity. While beer remains the…
US
Alcoholic Drinks
simple

US Black Consumers: Alcoholic Beverages – Spotlight on Beer and Wine: 2025

Black consumers' growing economic power contributes to how they engage with alcohol and the US alcohol landscape, driving brands to move beyond representation toward cultural authenticity.

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  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Outlook for Black consumers and beer and wine
    • Opportunities
    • Culturally rooted innovation in alcohol and wellness
    • Expand wine’s reach and accessibility through new formats
    • Regional relevance as a growth lever in beer
  2. THE MARKET

    • Black consumer – population size and growth forecast
    • Black consumers and the economic outlook
    • Market factors
    • Consumer sentiment slips, which puts alcohol spending at risk
    • Graph 1: consumer sentiment, 2021-25
    • Beer brands are navigating rising import costs, shifting to local sources, wellness trends and sustainability as culture reshapes loyalty and value
    • Wine is evolving toward accessibility, driven by inclusive storytelling, affordable premium tiers, new formats and eco-conscious innovation
    • Share of Black seniors grows rapidly
    • Graph 2: Black population size – % change, by age, 2020-30
    • Graph 3: Black population shares, by age, 2020-30
    • Market size and forecast
    • Market size and forecast of alcoholic beverages
  3. THE CONSUMER

    • Who drinks what: alcohol preferences led by lifestyle
    • Black consumers drink alcohol less often overall, but beer leads, while interest in wine and spirits continues to grow
    • Graph 4: alcoholic beverages consumed – most often and also – NET, by Black consumers vs all, 2025
    • Wine finds resonance with higher earners and Black women, while beer remains the drink of choice for those seeking comfort and familiarity
    • Graph 5: Black consumers – alcoholic beverages consumed most often – beer and wine, by HHI, 2025
    • Graph 6: Black consumers – alcoholic beverages consumed most often – wine, by gender, 2025
    • Beer consumption drops sharply among parents with three or more kids
    • Prioritize low ABV over no ABV
    • Champagne/sparkling wine resonates with Black Gen Z men who link it to progress, independence and celebrating the rewards of financial discipline
    • Graph 7: Black consumers – alcoholic beverages consumed most often – champagne/sparkling wine, by gender and generation, 2025
    • Beer and belonging: understanding the cultural pulse of Black beer drinkers
    • Millennial and Gen Z non-beer consumers are open to it, showing that there’s room to grow
    • Regional roots shape Black beer engagement
    • Graph 8: Black consumers who do not currently drink beer – openness to beer, by region, 2025
    • Patriotism and pride run deep among Black non-beer drinkers; brands can connect through unity and the promise of progress
    • Black consumers are open, engaged and ready to be seen, but brands must show genuine intent to connect through culture and authenticity
    • Graph 9: Black consumers – attitudes toward beer, by consumers open to drinking beer and consumers who drink beer most often, 2025
    • Wine culture and Black sophistication
    • Wine evolves from celebration to lifestyle staple, led by Black women embracing balance, sophistication and everyday enjoyment
    • Graph 10: Black consumers who drink wine – types of wine purchased at retail, 2025
    • Wine reflects achievement and lifestyle, resonating most with homeowners and postgrads who may see it as a reward for stability and success
    • Higher earners view wine ads as pretentious yet still indulge through food pairings, revealing the balance between aspiration and authenticity
    • Graph 11: Black consumers – factors influencing wine purchase, by household income, 2025
    • Graph 12: Black consumers – “wine marketing usually feels pretentious” – any agree, by age and household income, 2025
    • Occasions, routines and social context
    • Beer and wine share weekend and relaxing evenings, but differ for the outdoors as wine suits celebrations, while beer fits BBQs and laid-back fun
    • Beer and wine share weekend and relaxing evenings, but differ outside as wine suits celebrations, while beer fits BBQs and laid-back fun
    • Graph 13: Black consumers – occasions open to drinking beer or wine, 2025
    • Analyst POV: Leverage urban beer drinkers to help beer brands connect to Gen Z through music and celebrity influence
    • Wine at happy hour connects Black Gen X and Gen Z, blending aspiration with establishment
    • Graph 14: Black consumers – occasions open to drinking wine – ‘happy hour’, by generation, 2025
    • From porch nights to arena lights, beer connects Black consumers across lifestyles, proving taste and tradition transcend income
    • What drives alcohol purchases: the influence of marketing and inclusion
    • Brand, flavor and experience shape how Black consumers choose beer and wine, revealing unique opportunities for brand storytelling
    • Graph 15: Black consumers – factors influencing beer and wine purchases, 2025
    • Beer buying reflects loyalty; wine buying reflects openness
    • Graph 16: Black consumers – beer and wine attitudes and behaviors, 2025
    • Upbringing drives brand loyalty and experimentation, with family influence shaping how Black consumers choose between legacy and modern beer options
    • Graph 17: Black consumers – “I’m interested in non-alcoholic beer options'” by early home life, 2025
    • Graph 18: Black consumers – “I purchase beer based on the brand,” by early home life, 2025
    • Dads are driving demand for wine variety packs, highlighting a desire for choice and discovery
    • Variety packs in wine open the door to discovery, innovation and stronger brand connections
    • Both wine and beer face image challenges: wine feels pretentious and beer feels outdated, but culture, innovation and inclusion can close the gap
  4. PRODUCT, INNOVATION AND MARKETING

    • Packaging innovations rose sharply, while excitement for new varieties and products declines, signaling innovation fatigue
    • Graph 19: beer launches, by type, 2019-25
    • Michelob Ultra’s 0.0 normalizes NA beer in Super Bowl ad while spotlighting older consumers as active, relevant drivers
    • Marvel meets mindfulness: how BERO × happy turns pop culture, purpose and wellness into connection for Black consumers
    • Gallo’s Whiny Baby has a playful, inclusive wine experience that could attract Black consumers’ desire for a relatable wine experience
    • Issa Rae’s Viarae Prosecco win signals wine’s push toward accessibility, cultural relevance and new growth among Black consumers
    • Mini bottles, major moments: Party packs can unlock new wine occasions for younger drinkers
  5. APPENDIX

    • Report scope
    • Consumer research questions
    • Consumer research methodology
    • Generation groups
    • Abbreviations
Download Report Summary

"As Black consumers gain influence, beer and wine brands must move from representation to relevance, making sophistication feel personal and authentic."

Courtney Rominiyi, Multicultural Consumer Insights Analyst

Courtney Rominiyi, Multicultural Consumer Insights Analyst

Black consumers’ growing economic power contributes to how they engage with alcohol and the US alcohol landscape, driving brands to move beyond representation toward cultural authenticity. While beer remains the most consumed alcoholic beverage, its image faces fatigue. Meanwhile, wine is emerging as a modern symbol of balance and sophistication. Generational and regional differences come into play, presenting new entry points for brands. Younger consumers who don’t drink beer show strong interest that brands can cultivate, and Northeastern markets hold untapped conversion potential.

At the same time, health-conscious lifestyles are influencing alcohol choices, with low- and mid-ABV formats offering moderation without sacrificing tradition or enjoyment. Success in this market requires more than diverse imagery. It demands storytelling that reflects identity, aspiration and shared experience. Product innovation and strategic partnerships provide powerful ways to connect culture with consumption. This Report dives into these insights through market forecasts and brand examples that reveal where real growth and relevance will come from next.

This Report Looks at the Following Areas:

  • Alcohol preferences based on lifestyle and relevant demographics
  • Trends in beer and wine
  • Black beer drinkers and beer’s role in identity and culture
  • Wine culture for Black consumers
  • Mapping occasions for when and where consumers drink beer and wine
  • Motivations for beer and wine purchases
  • Marketing communications, launch activities and opportunities to engage Black consumers in beer and wine
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