Total beverage alcohol volume in the U.S. last year was +2%, marking the largest gain for alcohol consumption in the country since 2002, according to new findings from the IWSR Drinks Market Analysis. IWSR research reported year-to-date 2021 performance in the U.S. is still higher than 2019, with the year expected to end at +3.8% growth in volume and +5.5% increase in value. IWSR forecasts a more moderate growth rate over the next five years as normalization returns, with a +0.5% volume and +2.8% value CAGR 2020-2025. The spirits market in the U.S. posted the largest volume increase since 1990, +4.6%, with value increasing +7.7%. Within the category, agave-based spirits grew +15.9% in volume in 2020, overtaking rum to be the third-largest spirits category in the U.S., behind vodka and whisky. Cognac/Armagnac posted volume gains of +20.1%. Both categories are expected to continue their growth path throughout the next five years. No- and low-alcohol spirits are expected to end 2021 +31.4%.