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
[{"name":"Alcoholic Drinks","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/industries\/drinks\/alcoholic-drink"},{"name":"Market Intelligence Report","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/report-type\/market-intelligence-reports"},{"name":"US","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/markets\/us-market-research"}]
Report
en_GB
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

"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
Collapse All
  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

Market Intelligence Made Easier With Mintel

The first Mintel Market Intelligence report was published over 50 years ago. Since then, we have provided our unique insights and understanding of consumers, innovation and global markets to thousands of customers worldwide. Here’s why our customers rely on Mintel:

  • Gain a comprehensive, 360-degree view of the market: Mintel reports blend consumer research, market forecasts, product innovation tracking, and competitive analysis, allowing businesses to see every angle of their industry and identify new opportunities quickly.
  • Make decisions with confidence, grounded in robust data: Each report draws on up-to-date, reliable information from trusted sources and industry experts, ensuring your strategies are based on solid evidence rather than speculation.
  • Benefit from expert analysis and practical recommendations: Mintel’s reports are written by experienced analysts who interpret complex data and provide clear, actionable insights you can trust to guide your next moves.
  • Stay ahead with actionable intelligence on market trends and consumer behaviour: By combining fresh research with long-term market monitoring, our reports help businesses anticipate changes and adapt strategically. So you’re prepared to make informed decisions and drive growth.

What goes into a Mintel Market Intelligence Report?

Curious about how a Market Intelligence report comes together? We like to think of it as building a detailed puzzle. We start with individual pieces: data from consumers, market statistics, industry trends, and online conversations. Then our expert analysts add world-class human insight and industry knowledge. The pieces are assembled to reveal a clear, comprehensive picture of a market.

The Four Pillars of Our Research

We use a combination of four main research methods when creating our reports, each adding a valuable perspective:

  • Consumer Research: Direct surveys with real people, giving us clear, current insights into what people think and do.
  • Desk Research: In-depth review of trusted data sources. We use this rich database, plus powerful internal tools that track new products and market sizes, to detect trends and guide forecasts.
  • Trade Research: Insights from conversations with industry experts. Their real-world experience helps us understand what’s happening behind the scenes.
  • Brand and Social Media Research: Analysis of online opinions and trends. This lets us spot trends, measure brand sentiment, and capture feedback in real time, adding further depth to our research.

Bringing It All Together

Each of these four pillars provides a different piece of the puzzle. Consumer research tells us what customers think, desk research provides the factual framework, trade research offers an insider’s view, and social media analysis reveals public sentiment.

Our expert analysts are skilled in weaving these diverse data streams together. They apply a range of quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques to uncover the deeper story, connecting the dots to deliver clear, actionable insights. This comprehensive, multi-layered process is how we transform raw data into a market intelligence report you can trust to inform your most important business decisions.

£ 3,695 (Excl.Tax)
  • Download today with instant access
  • Multiple formats provided
  • Interactive databook included
  • Save up to 20% when you purchase multiple reports

Need help before you buy?

Our research specialists can answer your questions and recommend the reports that best match your business needs.

Contact us

Trusted by global industry leaders

Jackman logo

At Jackman, we believe that powerful strategies are based on human insight. Mintel’s leading-edge reports and insights into consumer attitudes and behaviors are an important input as we develop and execute strategy.

Alana Gavin, VP Research and Insights, Jackman
Epsilon logo

We utilize Mintel Reports, Trends and Comperemedia to mine for insights across the numerous business verticals that Epsilon serves, such as CPG, automotive, telecom, healthcare/pharma, retail and financial services.

By integrating Mintel insight into new business opportunities, we have been able to gain the competitive edge necessary to advance partnerships with global brands and key business players.

For our organization, it’s about depth and breadth. Having one without the other doesn’t enable success in our business.

Virginia Harvey, Secondary Research Manager, Epsilon
Bauer Media Group logo

We have such a great working relationship with Mintel on lots of different levels. As an insight partner, they have helped us to develop our business planning in specific categories as well as supporting our creative process but they’ve also been super helpful with facilitating our events in their inspirational offices near St Paul’s.

They’re an innovative company, with a client-focused team that always delivers.

Abby Carvosso, Group Managing Director, Bauer Media Group
Mediacom logo

Mintel is really good for getting a handle on a particular category quickly. If we are working on a new business pitch in an area we don’t have much experience in, it’s a brilliant way to get up to speed with what’s going on, what’s changing and what the key trends are in any category.

It’s very rare now that anyone will plough through a 200-page report – that’s why the summaries are really useful. We know they are backed up by a lot of detail, so if you need to go into something in more depth you know the information will be all there for you.

Pauline Robson, Managing Partner, Mediacom
VML logo

We use Mintel to inform our thinking and reinforce strategy. If you’re presenting new ideas, it’s essential they are underpinned by robust data and evidence, and clearly rooted in fact.

Mintel gives us all that. It’s a great brand and one that is trusted by clients.

Marie Stafford, European Director, The Innovation Group, VML

Need help before you buy?

Our research specialists can answer your questions and recommend the reports that best match your business needs.

Contact us