The Land of Lincoln was thirsty for beer in 2007.

A review of state records shows Illinoisans drank more cold, frosty ones last year than in any of the previous four years.

In all, the average Illinois resident drank an average of 31 gallons of suds last year, up slightly from 30.9 gallons in 2006.

The numbers come as Illinoisans are in the midst of their annual August brew kick.

The normally hot days of the month are generally the biggest for beer sales in Illinois, according to state statistics. August has surpassed other months for beer sales in four of the last five years.

Despite the increase for 2007, Illinois’ average consumption level still trails Iowa.

According to the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, average drinkers in the Hawkeye state downed 37 gallons of beer.

Michael LaMonica, chairman of the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois, said it’s no mystery why consumption begins peaking in August.

“It’s sort of like everyone is trying to get that last piece of summer before the grind of fall begins,” said LaMonica, who owns a Loves Park beer distributorship.

It’s not clear why 2007 saw an increase. Tavern and liquor store owners speculated that financially strapped consumers may have opted for beer over more expensive liquor or wine.

At Fast Eddie’s Bonaire in Alton, Ill., owner Eddie Sholar Jr. said the increases at his legendary watering hole are easy to explain.

“My sales increased because I’m good at what I do. I’m just a person who likes growth,” Sholar said.

Not every business owner saw a boost.

Sid Sidhu, owner of Midtown Grocery & Liquor and 707 Food & Liquor in Normal, Ill., said 2007 was a down year.

“I think it was the economy,” Sidhu said Monday. “Maybe next year.”

At the Bennigan’s in Decatur, Ill., owner Mike Sands also said sales were down. He said the economy has resulted in less disposable income for customers, resulting in a reduction by many businesses on advertising and marketing.

“People aren’t going out as much,” Sands said.

It’s not yet clear whether Illinois’ smoking ban will have an effect on beer consumption. The ban, which put a stop to smoking in bars and restaurants, was expected to trigger a downturn in alcohol sales after it went into effect Jan. 1.

According to records, Illinoisans consumed on average 328.6 beers last year — or less than one 12-ounce can per day for each person of legal drinking age.

In 2005, for example, the average was 325.3 cans of beer for the year.

The yearly figures show that 2007 represented the first significant increase in alcohol revenue for the state since 2003, when Illinois brought in more than $170 million thanks to beer, wine and hard liquor sales. State alcohol revenue for 2007 stood at $154 million, compared with an average of about $120 million in the three years before.

According to the figures, beer sales have been mostly flat in recent years, before rising to the 282 million gallon mark in 2007.

Kurt Erickson can be contacted at kurt.erickson@lee.net or (217) 789-0865.