Cheers to Corn This Labor Day


By Tara Desmond • September 3, 2026

Labor Day weekend means one last summer cookout, a cold drink with friends and a chance to relax before the busy fall season begins.


According to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, Labor Day is one of the top 10 drinking holidays in the United States. And while you may not think about corn when you reach for a beer or cocktail, corn can be part of the story.


In July 2026 alone, 4.29 million bushels of corn were used in the United States to produce beverage alcohol. That’s corn going toward the drinks Americans enjoy — separate from the hundreds of millions of bushels used for fuel ethanol. In fact, beverage alcohol use was up 54% from July 2025.


So as you raise a glass this Labor Day weekend, remember to drink responsibly and that Illinois corn may be playing a role in your celebration in more ways than you realize. Cheers to corn!

Captain Cornelius at a bar in Bloomington, Illinois

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