• India is the greatest consumer of whiskey in the world but Urban Indians prefer Beer : Survey

    Lifestyle
    India is the greatest consumer of whiskey in the world but Urban Indians prefer Beer : Survey

    Whisky is preferred by men, particularly Gen X respondents, whereas beer is preferred by young adults (GenZ & millennials).


    Digital Desk: Although India is the world's greatest consumer of whiskey, about three times greater than the United States, which is the world's second-largest consumer, according to the most recent YouGov study, just 16% of urban Indians consider it to be their favourite drink. Instead, beer and wine appear to be the most popular options. Nevertheless, more than half (56 percent and 55 percent, respectively) have tried it and nearly one-quarter (24 percent and 22 percent) named it their favourite alcoholic beverage.

    Whisky is preferred by men, particularly Gen X respondents, whereas beer is preferred by young adults (GenZ & millennials). Although wine consumption in India is minimal, women appear to be driving the market's growth.

    Also Read: “Being married to a Kashmiri Pandit, I know the atrocities”: Yami Gautam comments on ‘The Kashmir Files’

    Among those who consider whiskey to be a favourite, the vast majority (86 percent) report to be infrequent drinkers, drinking only on special occasions (birthdays, etc.), socially, or only on weekends. In comparison, there are fewer regular whiskey drinkers (those who drink at any time, every day, or most evenings of the week) (22 percent ).

    The most popular occasions to drink whiskey are at an appropriate conference or workplace social gathering when entertaining at home, at a home social gathering, or in membership with companions.

    Calorie information is also important, as three out of five people (60 percent) responded that knowing the calorie level of alcoholic beverages is extremely or significantly important to them.

    Furthermore, approximately one in ten brand loyalists and switchers (11 percent and 8%, respectively) claimed they would attempt a new model if it had a lower calorie count, perspective manufacturers may need to focus on given the enhanced attention on well being and health following the epidemic.

    Beer and wine drinkers are more likely to stick with their favourite brand than whiskey drinkers. Although, India is the greatest consumer of whiskey in the world, the poll also revealed that GenX drinkers are significantly more likely than GenZ drinkers (74 percent vs 33 percent) to indicate they're open to testing new model options, although the latter often stick with their favourite model (48 percent vs 10 percent ).

    "We see consumers more willing to switch brands and have lower loyalty to a favourite brand, possibly due to pandemic-related constraints that not only reduced social opportunities to drink outside of the home, but also the easy availability of preferred brands," said Deepa Bhatia, General Manager, YouGov India.

    bfc banner