DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division's (ABD) annual report says total liquor sales increased by 8.2% over the previous fiscal year, with Iowans spending more than $367 million on liquor.
The report covers July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.
More than $133 million was transferred to the state's general fund, according to the ABD. The Iowa Legislature will appropriate the funds.
Overall, the ABD earned nearly $396 million in revenue. This includes split case revenue, license fees, wine tax and bottle deposits/surcharges.
Some of the profits went to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), which earned more than $26 million in FY2020.
Beer sales by the gallon were down by 29.67% for FY2020, and wine sales also went down by 30.17%.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol problems, visit YourLifeIowa.org, call 855-581-8111 or text 855-895-8398.
However, liquor sales increased by nearly 190,000 gallons in FY2020, with more Iowans preferring whiskey overall.
Iowans spent more on whiskey than other spirits, spending more than $120 million in FY2020. Vodka came in second, but it only brought in $74 million.
Iowans purchased more Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey than any other spirit. More than 400,000 gallons were sold, according to the report.
Tito's Handmade Vodka came in second with more than 289,000 gallons sold.
Overall, more than six million gallons of spirits were sold from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020.
A line graph shows liquor sales went up when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March. The ABD reported more than $31 million in sales that month. June brought in even more dough. Iowans spent more than $42 million that month alone.
Polk County bought the most liquor in FY2020, paying up nearly $85 million. More than 1.2 million gallons were sold in the county.
Top Liquor Brands By Gallons Sold
- Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey — 402,541
- Tito's Handmade Vodka — 289,097
- Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum — 246,196
- Hawkeye Vodka — 236,985
- Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey — 231,631
Top Counties by Class "E" Liquor Sales
- Polk — $84,825,458
- Linn — $31,987,584
- Scott — $26,557,747
- Johnson — $21,045,434
- Black Hawk — $20,109,345
Top Customers By Class "E" Liquor Sales
- Hy-Vee — $131,965,584
- Fareway — $26,532,880
- Walmart — $23,156,197
- Sam's Club — $18,471,042
- Casey's — $14,367,946
Top Gallons Sold Per County
- Polk — 1,268,688
- Linn — 533,727
- Scott — 418,997
- Johnson — 327,649
- Black Hawk — 320,738
Read the full FY2020 report below