According to the Washington-based Beer Institute, consumption in Illinois fell by three six-packs per person from 2007 to 2011, the State Journal-Register in Springfield reports.
Data from the industry group show Illinois consumed about 56 six packs in 2007. That fell to about 53 six packs in 2011. Illinois ranks No. 6 nationally for beer shipments, falling from No. 5.
Illinois is behind California, Texas, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania.
Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois Executive Director Bill Olson says he doesn't think any one factor explains the dip in beer consumption in Illinois.
Factors like damp weather on summer holidays, an increase in hard liquor advertising and perhaps the economy all play a role in the decrease, Olson says, according to the Register.
Olson wasn't ready to call it a trend though, telling the Register that sometimes statistics like these can be cyclical.
The state raised the tax on beer to 23.1 cents a gallon in 2009.
