Individual differences in elevated plus-maze exploration predicted higher ethanol consumption and preference in outbred mice

► Highly-anxious mice spent more time in the closed arms than low-anxious mice. ► Highly-anxious mice displayed more anxiety-like behavior in the marble burying test. ► Highly-anxious mice consumed more ethanol than low-anxious mice. ► Highly-anxious mice showed greater preference for alcohol. ► No taste differences were observed between low- and highly-anxious mice.