Based on available data, the “drunkest” cities in the United States are primarily identified by the percentage of adults who report excessive drinking, defined by the CDC as binge drinking (four or more drinks for women, five or more for men on a single occasion) or heavy drinking (eight or more drinks per week for women, 15 or more for men). Here’s a rundown of the top cities, drawing from recent analyses, with a focus on Wisconsin’s dominance and other notable areas:
- Green Bay, Wisconsin – Frequently cited as the drunkest city, Green Bay tops the list with 26.5% of adults reporting excessive drinking. About 50.5% of driving deaths here involve alcohol, reflecting a strong drinking culture. Wisconsin’s low alcohol taxes and harsh winters are often mentioned as contributing factors.
- Eau Claire, Wisconsin – Tied for second with 26.2% of adults drinking excessively. The city’s Midwest location and vibrant bar scene contribute to its ranking.
- Appleton, Wisconsin – Also at 26.2% for excessive drinking, Appleton is another Wisconsin city with a robust drinking culture, bolstered by its brewery presence.
- Madison, Wisconsin – With 25.5% of adults reporting excessive drinking and 38.7% of driving deaths involving alcohol, Madison, home to the University of Wisconsin, ranks high due to its college-town vibe.
- Fargo, North Dakota – The only non-Wisconsin city in the top five, Fargo has 25.2% of adults drinking excessively, with 29.5% of driving deaths alcohol-related. Its 63 drinking establishments add to the scene.
- La Crosse, Wisconsin – Boasting more bars per capita than any other U.S. city, La Crosse has 25.1% of adults reporting excessive drinking.
- Fond du Lac, Wisconsin – With 24.6% of adults drinking excessively and 25.9% of driving deaths involving alcohol, this city continues Wisconsin’s trend.
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Often cited as a top contender, Milwaukee has an excessive drinking rate of 24.6%. Its beer gardens and major breweries, combined with low alcohol taxes, make it a drinking hub.
- Ames, Iowa – Home to Iowa State University, Ames has 24.4% of adults reporting excessive drinking, though its alcohol-related driving deaths are lower at 11.8%.
- Minneapolis, Minnesota – With a 23.5% excessive drinking rate, Minneapolis ranks high globally as a drinking city, with 1,100 alcohol-related deaths in Minnesota in 2021.
Additional Notable Cities:
Iowa City, Iowa (23.1% excessive drinking) and Grand Forks, North Dakota (24.2%) also rank high, reflecting the Midwest’s heavy drinking trend.
Boston, Massachusetts (23.1%), Buffalo, New York (22.8%), and Chicago, Illinois (22.7%) round out top lists, with Boston’s bar culture and Chicago’s nightlife contributing.
Sacramento, California (21.6%) and New Orleans, Louisiana (21.9%) appear in some rankings, with New Orleans’ Mardi Gras and Sacramento’s proximity to wine regions playing roles.
Why Wisconsin Dominates:
Wisconsin claims seven of the top 10 drunkest cities, with factors like low alcohol taxes, a strong brewing history (think Milwaukee’s beer legacy), and cultural influences from German and Polish settlers. The state’s 26.2% excessive drinking rate is the highest in the U.S., and its cities like Green Bay, Eau Claire, and Appleton consistently top rankings. Harsh winters and a festival-heavy culture (Milwaukee’s “city of festivals”) further fuel the trend.
Alaska, with its rugged landscapes and vibrant communities, has long been a haven for craft beer enthusiasts. The AK Beer Awards Competition, an annual showcase of the state’s finest brews, brings together brewers, judges, and beer lovers to celebrate the artistry and innovation of Alaskan craft beer. Held in the heart of Anchorage, this competition highlights the unique flavors and bold creativity that define Alaska’s brewing scene, from crisp lagers to smoky porters crafted with local ingredients.
CINCINNATI, OH— Cincinnati’s Brink Brewing is raising a glass after Cincinnati’s Brink Brewing being named 2019 Very Small Brewing Company of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival® (GABF). The Brewers Association honored the brewery at the 33rd annual event, where Brink snagged gold medals for two standout beers, proving they’re a force in craft beer.
The 2019 Indiana Brewers’ Cup marked the 21st edition of the Hoosier State’s premier craft beer showdown, held in July at the Indiana State Fairgrounds’ Farmer’s Coliseum in Indianapolis and drawing a massive lineup of over 1,000 entries from pro and homebrewers across 33 categories like crisp Czech Pilsners, juicy American IPAs, roasty porters, and experimental sours—all blind-judged by BJCP pros for that unbiased hoppy justice. Standouts that year included Sun King Brewery’s Sunlight Cream Ale snagging Best of Show Gold in the Light Lager division, with Guggman Haus Brewing’s Winner’s Milk Jug Milk Stout taking top honors in the Stout category and Daredevil Brewing’s Beautiful Dreams claiming gold in English Brown Ale—medals that sent these Indiana gems flying off taps and into Untappd wishlists. It all wrapped with the electric Indiana Microbrewers Festival at Military Park, where unlimited pours from 100+ breweries, live tunes, and food trucks turned downtown Indy into a beer lover’s utopia for thousands of thirsty fans. If you’re plotting a Midwest beer road trip, dig into 2019’s winners for timeless Hoosier pours like those creamy stouts and balanced ales—cheers to a vintage year that proved Indiana brews punch way above their weight!
TORONTO, Ontario – The 2019 Canadian Brewing Awards, in its 17th year, was a nationwide toast to the country’s exploding craft beer scene, held in Toronto on May 4 with over 800 entries from breweries coast-to-coast judged blindly by BJCP-certified pros across 50 categories—from crisp European lagers and juicy IPAs to barrel-aged sours and experimental wilds. Ontario breweries dominated the medal count with 57 golds, silvers, and bronzes, but British Columbia stole the spotlight as a powerhouse, snagging 49 medals (nearly a third of the 164 total) and proving the West Coast’s hazy, hop-forward mastery. Clifford Brewing Company from Hamilton, Ontario, was crowned Brewery of the Year for its killer lineup, including the silver-winning East Hamilton Lager, while the ultimate prize—Beer of the Year—went to Central City Brewers + Distillers’ Red Racer After Hours Pale Ale (BC), a bold, experimental pale that doubled as gold in its category and had hopheads buzzing for months. Other BC standouts included Steel & Oak’s gold-medal Dark Lager (a malty European-style beauty), Fernie Brewing’s Campout West Coast Pale (gold for its piney, citrus punch), and Strange Fellows’ Mistral (gold in wood- and barrel-aged beers for its funky, oaky depth). Standout category winners like Stray Dog’s Jagged Little Pilsner (gold in European Pilsner, a snappy noble-hop gem) and Henderson’s Ides of February (gold Bock, rich and toasty) highlighted the diversity, from Manitoba’s Torque Witty Belgian to Alberta’s Hell’s Basement Elevator HBB. Amid the cheers, the gala also announced the launch of the Canadian Craft Brewers Association, uniting 700+ independents to champion small-batch innovation. If you’re plotting a cross-Canada beer crawl, hunt down these 2019 medalists—they’re timeless pours that capture the moment Canada’s craft scene went supernova. Prost to a golden year!
Third Eye Brewing and the U.S. Open Beer Championship partnered to set a world record for the largest beer float.
