Beer Consumption: Which State Drinks The Most?

Beer is America's drink of choice, with the average adult over the age of 21 consuming around one six-pack per week. But which state drinks the most beer?

According to data from 2020, New Hampshire took the top spot, with 41.5 gallons of beer consumed annually per capita. In 2023, however, North Dakota was the beer-drinking champion, with 45.8 gallons consumed per capita. Other states that consistently rank highly for beer consumption include Montana, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Texas.

It's worth noting that these numbers represent overall consumption and don't distinguish between beer consumed by locals and beer consumed by tourists. Additionally, the number of breweries and the population density of each state may also influence the amount of beer consumed.

California is the state that drinks the most beer overall

In 2023, the average Californian consumed 25.5 gallons of beer per capita, which is higher than many other states. California's large population means that there is a high demand for beer, and with tons of breweries to choose from, it's no surprise that the state drinks a lot of beer.

The most popular beers in California tend to be hoppier styles, such as IPAs, with Russian River's Pliny the Elder and Firestone Walker's 805 Blonde Ale being among the top choices. The state's diverse craft brewery scene also offers a wide range of beer styles to cater to different tastes.

California's beer culture is prominent in regions like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, which have the most check-ins across the state. The Golden State's mild climate and laid-back lifestyle may also contribute to its reputation as a top beer-drinking state.

While California may not have the highest beer consumption per capita, its large population and thriving craft brewery scene make it the state that drinks the most beer overall. The state's beer culture continues to thrive and evolve, solidifying its place as a leader in the beer industry.

New Hampshire drinks the most beer per capita

New Hampshire's high beer consumption may be influenced by several factors. Firstly, the state has a significant number of breweries and highly-ranked beers, such as the popular Russian Imperial Stout by Stoneface Brewing Co. In addition, New Hampshire is one of only four states with no sales tax, making it a popular destination for residents of neighboring states to purchase alcohol. This out-of-state beer consumption may contribute to New Hampshire's high overall beer consumption rate.

The culture of a state can also play a role in its beer consumption. For example, beer drinking is considered part of the culture in states like North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Similarly, rural and Western states tend to have higher per capita beer consumption than other parts of the country. New Hampshire's geographic location and cultural context may therefore contribute to its high beer consumption.

While New Hampshire's excessive drinking rate of 18.9% is slightly higher than the national average of 18%, it is important to note that not all beer purchased in the state is necessarily consumed there due to cross-border purchases.

Montana, Vermont, and North Dakota also rank highly per capita

While North Dakota ranks as the state with the highest beer consumption per capita, Montana, Vermont, and North Dakota also rank highly. In fact, Montana ranks third, with 41.0 gallons consumed per capita, while Vermont ranks seventh, with 35.3 gallons.

Montana's love of beer may stem from a culture that has historically embraced the drink. Additionally, Montana is one of the few states that can grow all the ingredients necessary for brewing beer. The state has a strong brewing scene, often ranking in the top five in various brewing categories. It has over 100 breweries statewide and is among the top three states for the number of breweries per capita. The state's most popular beer is Budweiser, although the portion of local craft brew is growing.

Vermont is also home to a thriving beer culture, with over 100 breweries, microbreweries, nanobreweries, and brewpubs. In 2011, 2012, and 2014, the Brewers Association ranked Vermont as the state with the greatest number of breweries per capita. The state has a rich history of brewing, dating back to the early 1800s. After a period of prohibition in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Vermont experienced a microbrewery explosion in the 1980s and 1990s, leading to the development of several strong breweries.

North Dakota, meanwhile, has a beer consumption of 45.8 gallons per capita annually, equal to around 631 cans. While the preferred choice of beer in North Dakota is the local brand Fargo, the state's relationship with alcohol has its downsides. North Dakota ranks fourth in the nation for binge alcohol use, and alcohol is suspected to be involved in many road fatalities.

Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania follow California in volume

California may be known for its wine, but it is not the state with the highest beer consumption per capita. In fact, California ranks 44th out of 50 states, with its residents drinking an average of 25.5 gallons of beer per person per year. While this may seem like a lot, several other states outpace California when it comes to beer consumption. Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania follow California in volume, with their residents drinking an average of 34.4, 27.4, and 28.6 gallons of beer per capita, respectively.

Texas, known for its hot and humid summers, may explain why its residents consume more beer than California. With a population of just under 30 million, Texas boasts 344 active breweries, which is impressive but still less than half of California's 1,466 breweries. Texas's beer consumption per capita is 34.4 gallons, which is almost 9 gallons more than California.

Florida, the Sunshine State, also has a high beer consumption per capita at 27.4 gallons. This may be due to the state's large tourism industry, with visitors flocking to its beaches and theme parks year-round. Florida's beer consumption is slightly less than Texas's, but it still ranks higher than California.

Pennsylvania, known for its rolling hills and historic cities, may not be the first state that comes to mind for beer consumption. However, its residents drink an average of 28.6 gallons of beer per capita, which is slightly more than Florida and less than Texas. Pennsylvania is home to many well-known breweries, including Yuengling, one of the oldest breweries in the country.

While California may not top the list for beer consumption per capita, it is important to consider other factors such as population size and the number of breweries. California has a much larger population than Texas, Florida, or Pennsylvania, which could dilute its per-capita consumption. Additionally, California's craft beer scene is thriving, with over 1,400 breweries across the state, offering residents and visitors a wide variety of beer options.

Overall, while Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania follow California in terms of volume, each state has its unique characteristics that contribute to its beer culture and consumption patterns.

Midwesterners drink more beer than other regions

The Midwest's drinking culture also includes unique traditions and customs, such as adding odd things to their beer, like pickles, olives, or Bloody Mary mix. They also have their own drinking games, such as beer darts, which involves throwing darts at cans of beer, and PVC pipe drinking, which involves throwing a frisbee at a target while holding a beer.

In addition to Wisconsin, other Midwestern states like Minnesota, Illinois, and Ohio also rank highly in beer consumption per capita. Overall, the Midwest's drinking culture is an integral part of the region's social scene, with beer often being added to any event or activity.

While the Midwest may lead in beer consumption, it's important to note that beer's popularity has grown across the United States, spanning different demographics and cultural contexts. Americans' overall consumption averages amount to almost a 6-pack of beer per person per week.

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