AIMS: To investigate associations between socioeconomic position in early life and later alcohol use and problem use among male and female adolescents. DESIGN: Birth cohort study. SETTING: South West England. PARTICIPANTS: 2711 girls and 2379 boys with one or more measures of alcohol use or problem use at age 15. MEASUREMENTS: Exposure measures were highest parental social class, maternal education and household disposable income (all maternal self-report before school-age); outcome measures were heavy typical drinking, frequent drinking, regular binge drinking, alcohol related psychosocial problems and alcohol related behavioural problems. FINDINGS: Alcohol use and related problems were relatively common in adolescents and were not substantially different between girls and boys. However, boys were slightly more likely to report frequent drinking and girls were slightly more likely to drink heavily and to experience alcohol related psychosocial problems. Higher maternal education appeared protective in relation to alcohol related problems, particularly amongst boys. Higher household income was associated with greater risk of alcohol use and problem use, most apparently amongst girls. CONCLUSIONS: Children from higher income households in England appear to be at greater risk of some types of adolescent alcohol problems and these risks appear different in girls compared to boys. Childhood social advantage may not generally be associated with healthier behaviour in adolescence.