Constellation Brands product line.
Adam Jeffery | CNBC
Beer and wine producer Constellation Brands is seeing an uptick in the millennial generation’s consumption of alcohol and, according to a company executive, that’s in part thanks to one specific reason.
“When you said the millennials are drinking more, I’m like: That’s because they have kids,” Barclays analyst Lauren Lieberman said.
Lieberman made the comment somewhat jokingly during a discussion with Constellation Brands CFO David Klein, who was speaking with Lieberman at the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference on Wednesday.
“Well, I think that’s exactly the answer,” Klein responded.
He cited Constellation’s research on millennials, to back up his broader thesis: The company found that in 2013, millennials consumed about 24 alcoholic drinks per month. According to Klein, by this year, that number has climbed to about 29 alcoholic drinks per month – with about 77% of all millennials in the U.S. consuming alcohol.
“What we don’t know though is will we see that same thing with Gen Z as they age, will they – will life get more stressful for them, and they drink a little more. But it’s too early to tell, but we definitely have seen that with millennials,” Klein said
Klein explained that Generation Z, meaning those between the ages of 21 and 24, are consuming alcohol “slightly more slowly” than millennials did.
“I think what we have is people saying that they’re drinking less or drinking better, but that’s really driving people into trends like Corona Premier and seltzer and Mic Ultra, and brands like that,” Klein added.
Twitter user @bluff_capital first noted the exchange on Thursday.