Americans to Spend $1.6 Billion on Beer and Wine this July 4th

It may be the U.S.A.’s 243rd anniversary of independence, but Americans are still finding plenty of ways to celebrate. See: with alcohol.

CNBC reports that Americans will spend $1.6 billion on beer and wine this Fourth of July, traditionally one of the nation’s booziest holidays. $1 billion of that will just be on beer—the equivalent of what’s spent on (mostly Chinese) imported fireworks.

Overall, $6.7 billion will be shelled out for hot dogs (150 million dogs, to be exact), burgers and other cookout favorites. More than $5 million worth of U.S. flag memorabilia have reportedly been (ironically) imported as well.

That patriotic spending comes out to around $73 per American—a slight decline from recent years, but impressive nonetheless, as 86% of the population has plans to celebrate in some way.

Emily Clouse is a staff writer for 1851 Franchise. Her work has been featured with publications such as The Onion, Reductress, and Chicago Magazine. She graduated from The Ohio State University before running away to join the Peace Corps. In her free time, she enjoys drawing and walking to Jewel-Osco.