Drinkers Save Money By Taking It Home

EMILY FREDRIX

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Bad economy or not, Marty Stogsdill still likes his scotch.

But the 26-year-old computer consultant is more apt to enjoy it at his condo with friends than in a bar these days. Going out, he pays $10 to $18 for a glass of scotch. At home? He can buy a bottle for $35 to $50.

"You're not really giving anything up," he said. "You're just cutting out the markup, essentially."

A growing number of consumers are spurning drinking in restaurants and bars to save money. They're also choosing less expensive beer, wine and liquor to take home. Some are even trading down from wine and spirits to beer, which typically costs less.

Stogsdill says when he does go out in Milwaukee, it's only to happy hours and often for cheaper beers — anything to cut his drinking budget.

Sales of liquor, wine and beer meant to be consumed at home are now expected to rise 4.8 percent this year to $79 billion, according to Mintel International Group. The Chicago-based research firm recently had to revise its 2009 forecast to keep up with how quickly people are changing their behavior.