"Jim Beam" Halts Production, Drinking Drops to 80 Year Low

[donbosco]

One Of America's Most Legendary Bourbon Distilleries Is Halting Production

Jim Beam, one of the largest producers of American whiskey in the world, is halting production of its whiskey beginning on January 1, 2026.

www.southernliving.com

"The decision comes amid a notable shift in consumer behavior and mounting economic pressures facing alcohol producers worldwide. According to Gallup, the percentage of U.S. adults who report drinking alcohol has declined to 54%, the lowest level recorded since the polling organization began tracking the data in 1939."

There's more nuance in the read...

 

[finesse]

 

[CarolinaFever]

My grandma liked it for her egg nog and rum balls when she had her Christmas open house.

 

[Milk and Cookies]

I feel this particular example of a big alcohol producing halting production is more a reflection of the bourbon industry specifically rather than alcohol overall, although the numbers don't lie alcohol consumption is decreasing.

The bourbon producers were chasing a boom about 5 years ago and scaled up production significantly right when the market corrected. So its more akin to a bubble bursting than the bottom falling out of a steady industry. Selfishly I hope we'll continue to see some decreases in bourbon prices. I also expect more "white label" or pseudo-craft producers to launch in 2026 as they try to replace sales quantity with higher prices from exclusive or limited "hyped" releases.

 

[pspsps]

I feel this particular example of a big alcohol producing halting production is more a reflection of the bourbon industry specifically rather than alcohol overall, although the numbers don't lie alcohol consumption is decreasing.

The bourbon producers were chasing a boom about 5 years ago and scaled up production significantly right when the market corrected. So its more akin to a bubble bursting than the bottom falling out of a steady industry. Selfishly I hope we'll continue to see some decreases in bourbon prices. I also expect more "white label" or pseudo-craft producers to launch in 2026 as they try to replace sales quantity with higher prices from exclusive or limited "hyped" releases.

Craft beer has crashed hard too.

 

[altmin]

Trump making every Canadian outside of the Alberta loons hate the US didn't help. People drink a lot of booze here and it's not American any more.

 

[finesse]

Just more older bourbons in the future.

 

[05C40]

In re distilled spirits: I am always amazed at how many distilled sprites made throughout the US have their origins at MGP Ingredients Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
Link: Premium Alcohol Supplier & Wine Supplier – Luxco - Ross & Squibb Distillery -

 

[JCTarheel82]

THC infused drinks > alcohol

 

[UNCatTech]

One Of America's Most Legendary Bourbon Distilleries Is Halting Production

Jim Beam, one of the largest producers of American whiskey in the world, is halting production of its whiskey beginning on January 1, 2026.

www.southernliving.com

"The decision comes amid a notable shift in consumer behavior and mounting economic pressures facing alcohol producers worldwide. According to Gallup, the percentage of U.S. adults who report drinking alcohol has declined to 54%, the lowest level recorded since the polling organization began tracking the data in 1939."

There's more nuance in the read...

I've done my part as I've greatly increased my drinking these past few months.