4 out of 10 Americans prefer to drink beer.

That is among the two-thirds of Americans that are drinking, according to a new poll published by Gallup. The study was conducted to see if Americans are drinking more than usual during the recession (we aren’t), however the results also show the break down of what Americans are drinking.

Out of those who said they do drink: 40% prefer beer, 34% wine, and 21% liquor. I have no idea what the other 5% are drinking, but they probably don’t either. Nor is it important.

What is important is that the poll shows for the past decade the percentage of Americans that consume alcohol has been between 62-66%. This piece of data alone isn’t shocking, but in 2006, Gallup ran another survey that showed Brits and Canucks are both out-drinking Americans. That’s right, America is behind Canada. (Happy Canada Day, btw)

Britons out-drink Americans 2:1! Not this 4th of July. We need to take up our glasses and show those Redcoats what’s what.

And we still have a chance to catch up to and beat Canada, but it’s going to take a collaborative effort. We can no longer hover around 60%. That’s considered failing. It’s time to convince your friends who are among the 36% of Americans missing out on all the fun (i.e. not drinking) that they need to start, for the sake of our country. If we work hard enough we can bring our measly “19% of Americans consuming drinks at least a few times a week” above Canada’s 27%, and maybe even surpass Britain’s 41%.

So stock your kegerators, pour yourself a pint and pop Beerfest into your DVD player for motivation. It’s time to make America #1.