Bottled water passed beer in 2007 average U.S. consumption, according to a Beverage Digest report in its most recent issue.

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Carbonated soft-drinks continued to hold the top spot with Americans, who drank on average 49.3 gallons of carbonated soft drinks in 2007, down 3.3 percent from 2006.

Bottled water consumption rose 7.1 percent to 22.5 gallons per capita in 2007 to claim the No. 2 spot. That edged out beer, which rose 1.4 percent in per capita consumption to 22.2 gallons.

Bottled water has been a fast-rising category, almost doubling in per capita consumption in the past 10 years.

"Water is still about 46 percent the size of carbonated soft drinks, but the category growth is far outstripping population growth, so per capita consumption has risen steadily since the early 1990s," Beverage Digest, an industry newsletter, said in the report.

2007 U.S. Liquid Consumption

Per capita consumption in 2007 and percentage change from 2006.

1) Soft drinks: 49.3 gallons, down 3.3 percent

2) Bottled water: 22.5 gallons, up 7.1 percent

3) Beer: 22.2 gallons, up 1.4 percent

4) Milk: 20.1 gallons, down 1 percent

5) Coffee: 16.0 gallons, down 1.2 percent