North Dakota consumed the most beer per capita last year

WASHINGTON, July 4 (UPI) -- Beer is the top choice over wine and hard liquor for celebrations such as the Fourth of July in the United States, the Beer Institute says.

In the two weeks ending July 7, 2012, beer was the largest selling category of all food and beverage categories in Nielsen measured channels, with sales reaching $1.36 billion.

This year, brewers and beer importers hope to see beer again be the top choice for Americans celebrating the occasion, said the national trade association representing America's brewers, beer importers and industry suppliers.

An analysis of state-by-state beer consumption data from the Beer Institute found the five states that consumed the most beer per capita in 2012 were North Dakota, New Hampshire, Montana, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Nationwide, beer consumption rose 1.5 percent in 2012 as the economy began to come back and above normal winter and spring temperatures helped boost beer sales, the Beer Institute said.

On average, each American age 21 and older drank a little less than one 12-ounce beer per day in last year, or about 300 beers per year.

The full per capita consumption ranking is at: www.beerinstitute.org/assets/uploads/2012_Beer_Consumption_By_State.pdf.