Canadians like to drink. A 2017 World Health Organization report found that Canadians 15 years or older drank 10 liters of pure alcohol per capita in 2016, which is 3.6 liters more than the world average. The United States wasn’t far behind, consuming 9.3 liters per capita, and Lithuania far outpaced the competition, with a stunning 18.2 liters of pure alcohol per capita.
Pure alcohol is rather vague, so let’s get more specific. According to Beer Canada statistics, the average Canadian of legal drinking age consumed 210 cans of beer in 2018. That’s a lot of beer, especially when you consider 20% of the country abstains from alcohol consumption. However, the figure represented a 1.2% decrease from 2017, Beer Canada said, and national beer sales declined by 0.3% as well.
Those are small numbers, but they underline an important trend highlighted in a new Cowen and Co. industry report that could eventually make its way to the U.S.. In Canada’s first year of legal adult-use cannabis, domestic beer sales experienced their worst decline in six years. Domestic beer volume fell 3.9%, which is worse than the national beer volume fall at 3.0%.
This indicates a new lifestyle trend emerging in both Canada and legal cannabis states in America — weed on the weekday, beer and booze on the weekend. As Cowen analysts call it, consumers are also chasing a better “buzz for your buck.” Cheap beer used to serve as an easy way to wind down after a long day at work. Have a couple brews, don’t get that drunk, and relax.
Cannabis appears to have replaced that lifestyle function for a significant portion of those living in legal marijuana jurisdictions. Cowen analysts emphasized that serious downturns in beer consumption and sales will only continue in Canada, as many provinces roll out more marijuana products such as vaporizers, edibles, and tinctures in the coming year.
Proof of these trends exist in legal marijuana states in America, too. A 2019 report from the Distilled Spirits Council reported that per capita beer sales declined between 2.3 to 3.6% in legal marijuana states Colorado, Washington, and Oregon following adult-use cannabis legalization. While federal marijuana legalization remains at least several years away, we should likely expect similar trends to continue in the United States when that occurs.
If you’re a cocktail drinker in Denver, you’ve likely tried a libation with a dash of creativity from Alex Jump and Stuart Jensen.
Jump spent four years as the bar manager for Death & Co. in Denver before starting a consulting business and emerging as a leader in the low- and non-alcoholic beverage movement. Jensen is co-owner of local drinkeries Curio and Roger’s Liquid Oasis, and was part of the ownership group at the now-defunct Brass Tacks in LoDo.
Together Jump and Jensen, who got married earlier this year, are a cocktail power couple shaking up the local scene, and in 2025, they’ll debut their first concept together.
The first part of the is filled with work, to-do things and prepping for 5 days of jobs stuff. Going into the work week, some people experience sadness, anxiety, or lack of motivation which can be a routine, which is not healthy. While Boomers and Gen X were raised in a world with fewer life options and work was just a thing you had to do, younger Millennials and Gen Z’ers were given a somewhat different take. Gap Years, working abroad, flex schedules and work at home gave them an option to craft a work environment suited to their needs. But as that falls away, stress and anxiety have increased. Some 39% of Gen Z feel regular anxiety. And roughly half of Gen Zs (52%) and millennials (49%) feel burned out by their job. So what are the best ways to make the first part of the week positive?
Weekends are made for fun, indulgences and treats. Each week decide Monday or Tuesday will be fun or favorite food night. It can be something easy like Sloppy Joes, a speciality salad, a great steak, but something to look forward to and enjoy. Also, make it something easy but transforms Tuesday into something special. Food also releases mood-boosting serotonin and dopamine, which can brighten the earlier part of the week. Food especially rich in those two include fish, grains, lean meats, olive oil and fruits and vegetables.
Swap beer for marijuana
All studies show marijuana is healthier for the body than beer. Fewer calories, less boating, no hangover. While California Sober has become a thing, more people are drinking less beer Monday-Wednesday and just having a couple of hits of a vape or a gummy. They get the chill without the extra weight or hangover. Canada did a study on the trend, but ultimately it helps you maintain energy for the rest of the week.
Plan something fun
Everyone looks forward to the weekend as a chance to relax and do fun things. Why not put Monday or Tuesday night as a special activity night. Anything from bing watch 3 favorite shows, trying a new video game, a long soak in the tub, or an early dinner with friend. Transform Monday or Tuesday into “Fun Day” by either planning or spontaneously doing something enjoyable for 1-3 hours?
Think about reversing the weekend sleeping in to sleeping early. Think about listening to calming music, read a book and just soak up snuggling in the bed. Avoid your phone and just relax and allow your body to unwind for a solid night’s rest.
Hopefully these tips will transform the first part of the week into a self care enjoyable time…and give you the energy and a positive outlook for the rest of the week.
Cannabis is popular, but not nearly as popular as its cousin, which is a global powerhouse.
Cannabis has been around for thousands of years, but its similarly aged cousin is still more popular on a global level. You might think Coco-Cola was popular when it had a more active coca component, but it is not the OG version of fun. Cannabis is related to hops, which is a base for most beer. This biggest clue to their relationship is in the smell. You can tell since they both have a bit of a dank aroma.
While marijuana is becoming widely accepted, it has a ways to go to be as popular as its cousin. Globally, when you look at the beverages we consume, most North Americans would be surprised. Water, followed by tea are the top two drinks in the world. Surprisingly, beer is the third…making hops valuable and highly consumed. Coffee, is the fourth most drank beverage.
Hops comes from the plant humulus lupulus and marijuana comes from the cannabis plant. Both are parts of the relatively small family of Cannabaceae. They basically are cousins, sharing a key ingredient called terpenesans. Cannabis contain terpenes and terpenoids; tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a terpenoid. Hops lack the enzyme which could convert cannabigerolic acid into THC or CBD. While THC is what makes you high, hops doesn’t contribute to the alcohol content of beer, but rather the weight and flavoring. On its own, hops has been used for anxiety, sleep disorders, restlessness, symptoms of menopause, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
While in humans, cousins shouldn’t marry, the same is not true in the hops/cannabis world. In 2022, the Canadian and US marijuana beer market was estimated at $190+ million. Beverages are a growing populations and mainstream beer makers have taken notice. Coors, Molson, Anheuser-Busch, and more have developed beers with cannabis, with some looking toward the non-alcoholic market.