AIM: To examine socioeconomic position (SEP) of origin as predictor of large-scale alcohol use in adolescence. METHODS: The study population was a random sample of 15-year-olds at baseline (n=843) with a first follow-up 4 years later (n=729). Excess alcohol intake was assessed by consumption last weekend, dichotomized at 14 drinks. RESULTS: The univariate analyses showed no association between SEP at age 15 years and alcohol drinking at age 19 years. The multivariate analyses showed an association between low SEP and excess alcohol drinking among boys (odds ratio=1.76). CONCLUSIONS: This longitudinal study found a weak association between low family SEP at age 15 years and excess alcohol drinking at age 19 years, but the association was not significant.