Rhode Island is set to have its fourth consecutive annual decline in beer sales at liquor stores, according to the state’s Division of Taxation as first reported by the Associated Press. The amount of beer purchased at liquor stores dropped from 18.1 million gallons in the first 10 months of 2018 to 14.8 million gallons during the same period last year, according to data reported by liquor stores. Approximately 2.98 million gallons have been sold through October 2019. There were 3.01 million gallons sold through October 2018. Past numbers leading up to the decade’s end include in 2016: 18.7 million gallons; 2017: 18.6 million gallons; and 2018: 18.1 million gallons. Higher price points and quality have been cited as factors in changing consumption among trends in beer sales volume. Liquor store sales of wine are also expected to decrease for the third consecutive year. In 2018, state wine and liquor sales totaled $244,388,442.82, with beer and malt beverages at $130,057,144.06 for a total of $374,445,586.88, according a division beverage sales tax summary released on May 1, 2019.