Are you drinking more and also drinking more crappy booze? Shame on you. Just kidding, it’s totally normal. In fact, everyone’s doing it.

According to the Washington Post today:

Industry growth slowed in 2009, with the amount of liquor sold by suppliers up 1.4 percent. That’s the smallest increase since 2001 and below the 10-year average of 2.6 percent.

The lowest-priced segment, with brands such as Popov vodka that can go for less than $10 for a fifth, grew the fastest, with volume rising 5.5 percent, after edging up 0.6 percent in 2008. Meanwhile, the most expensive brands, priced roughly $30 or more for a 750 ml bottle (think Grey Goose, owned by Bacardi), fell the most, tumbling 5.1 percent.

Now I’m familiar with Popov Vodka. In college Popov and I had a brief and ill-fated relationship. Trust me when I say this: no good can come of it.