Which states drink the most beer? Here's how all 50 states (plus D.C.) rank (2024)

In just over a decade, beer’s popularity has grown and stretched the demographic, spanning the cultural arch from fancy New York restaurants to minor league ballparks in the middle of nowhere and everywhere in between. And that type of brew-on-demand can be seen in Americans’ overall consumption averages, where the national per-year tally breaks down to almost a 6-pack a week.

Which states average the most cold ones in a year? According tobeerinfo.com, here’s how all 50 and Washington D.C. rank per capita…

Utah comes in at the bottom of the barrel, with 20.2 gallons per capita consumed in 2021.

Connecticut residents managed to tip back .1% more brews than Utah in 2021, tipping the scales at 22.1 gallons on average per person.

Considering the population combo in the following two states, we’re surprised that both land this low on the beer-consumption chart. The Garden State must not include Beer Gardens, having tipped back 22.4 gallons of beer per capita in 2021.

Just across the Hudson, New York residents joined their Jersey neighbors in knocking back 22.4 gallons of beer per capita.

Maryland was the first state to drink an average over 24 gallons with 24.2 gallons per capita in 2021.

A state well known for bourbon, Kentucky lands at No. 46 in beer-drinking realm, averaging 24.4 gallons per person a year.

Off to the Northwest, where Washington residents average 24.8 gallons per capita.

Tons of breweries and a large population make California’s 25.5 gallons per capita are another surprise in these rankings.

Georgia topped Cali by the skin of a peach, coming in at 25.7 gallons per capita.

Hoosiers don’t mind cracking open a beer now and then, and then again. The state’s residents averaged 25.9 gallons per capita in 2021.

Tennessee was the first of two states to top the 26 gallon mark, throwing back 26.2 gallons per capita in 2021.

We thought the Sam Adams would have flowed a tad more in 2021, but Massachusetts adds yet another surprise with 26.2 gallons per capita.

Small state, big beer fans: Rhode Islanders averaged 26.3 gallons in 2021.

Virginians tipped back an average of 26.7 gallons per capita.

The Natural State also knocked back an average of 26.7 gallons per capita in 2021.

A few more sips per person places Michigan over Arkansas and Virginia at an average of 26.8 gallons.

North Carolina residents drank an average of 27.1 gallons in 2021 — we’re unaware if dogs were accounted for…

Beer and sunshine: Florida residents consumed 27.4 gallons per capita in 2021.

Idaho folks didn’t mind a beer in 2021, averaging 27.8 gallons per capita.

Politics must go great with a nice lager — D.C. residents tapped 28.3 gallons per capita last year.

Kansas kept pace with D.C. in 2021, coming in at 28.3 gallons per capita.

Oklahoma rounds out the 28.3 gallon group, matching its neighbor Kansas and the D.C folks.

Minnesota averaged 28.5 gallons per capita in 2021.

Rolling Rock? Yuengling? Iron City? Whatever the option, Pennsylvania’s residents tossed back 28.6 gallons per capita last year.

A few great breweries have sprung up in Alaska, so there is little surprise that its locals raised a glass (and drank it) to a 28.7-gallon average per person in 2021.

The first state to top the 29-gallon mark was Illinois, which averaged 29.1 gallons per capita in 2021.

Heading back out west, Arizona lands in the top 25 with an average of 29.5 gallons per capita.

Did you think Colorado would be higher up the list? (We did.) The state averaged 30.0 gallons per capita last year.

The Buckeye State is next on the list, with Ohio residents knocking back 30.1 gallons per capita last year.

Roll Tide and pass me another — Alabama averaged 30.2 gallons per capita in 2021.

Not by much, but West Virginia ties for the 20th spot, having averaged 30.3 gallons per capita last year.

Oregon shares shares the 30.3-gallon per capita mark.

Aloha! Hawaiians made the top 20 after tipping back 30.4 gallons of beer per capita last year.

Missouri residents drank an average of 31.0 gallons of brew per capita in 2021.

Next up is New Mexico, which averaged 32.4 gallons per capita.

Gallons of beer per capita in the Palmetto State hit 32.7 in 2021.

Wyoming landed at No. 15 in 2021, drinking 33.0 gallons per capita.

Delaware cracked the top 15 by cracking open and drinking 33.6 gallons of beer per capita.

Iowa went beer for beer with Delaware in 2021, also averaging 33.6 gallons per capita.

Mississippi averaged 33.9 gallons per capita last year.

Not too far down the I-55 South, Louisiana shares the 11th spot with Mississippi at 33.9 gallons per capita.

Beer and lobster — Maine residents drank an average of 34 gallons of beer per capita.

Texas comes in at No. 9 with an average of 34.4 gallons per capita in 2021.

Nebraska locals tipped back an average of 35.2 gallons of beer per capita.

Surprisingly enough, Vermont’s 35.3 gallons per capita in 2021 wasn’t tops in the Northeast.

Sin City and beyond, Nevada averaged 35.8 gallons per capita in 2021.

You can’t have a professional sports team named the Brewers and not be in the top 5 on this list — well done, Wisconsin. The state drank an average of 36.2 gallons in 2021.

South Dakota lands just outside the final three, having averaged 38.9 gallons per capita in 2021.

Montana’s great expanse must be perfect for taking in while having a beer or two, as the locals drank 41.0 gallons per capita in 2021.

Raise your hand if you had New Hampshire as the top spot out the Northeast. The state’s residents drank 43.9 gallons per capita.

And finally, we arrive at North Dakota — most likely with a beer in our hand. North Dakota’s residents were the beer-drinking champs in 2021, consuming 45.8 gallons per capita.

Cheers!