This study examines the relationship between alcohol consumption and blood pressure in the 1982 Maryland Hypertension Survey, a crossectional population-based household survey of blood pressure control in adults residing in Maryland. In individuals less than 50 years old, a J shaped dose-response association was found with abstainers and heavy alcohol consumers having significantly higher blood pressures than moderate alcohol consumers (1 to 2 beverages per day). In individuals 50 years and older, alcohol was associated with higher blood pressures only at the highest levels of intake (greater than 2 beverages per day). The prevalence of hypertension was similarly affected in each age group. This association between alcohol consumption and blood pressure was independent of several variables that are associated with increased blood pressure such as age, sex, race, smoking, education, Quetelet index, social participation, and physical activity. The population attributable risk for hypertension due to heavy alcohol consumption is 5 to 7% in those greater than 50 years old and 6 to 8% in those less than 50 years old. These data suggest that alcohol consumption is a potentially important risk factor for elevations in blood pressure and hypertension.