You Might Be Surprised Where Iowa Ranks for Alcohol Use (Hint: It’s Not Just the Beer)

It feels like every week we get a new study that we can pick apart and either laugh at, complain about, or just pass off as unimportant.

When it comes to drinking studies, unfortunately, Iowa usually ranks high in both binge drinking and alcohol consumption as a whole.

We also tend to think of our ol' pals in Wisconsin as the state that drinks the most booze overall.

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A new study from Vinepair challenges that notion.

The States That Drink the Most Alcohol Per Capita

Whether you agree or not, Vinepair's study claims that the state that consumes the most alcohol isn't Wisconsin or any Midwestern state.

READ MORE: Wait, THIS Is Iowa's Drunkest County?

Surprised? I was, too.

It's actually New Hampshire, according to the study.

• New Hampshire – 4.48 gallons

• Washington, D.C. – 4.10

• Delaware – 4.07

Wisconsin ranks in the top 10 and number 7 on this study, but it's where Iowa lands that's... surprising. And not in a bad way.

Where Iowa Ranks

Per gallons of liquor per capita: Iowa is tied with New Mexico at 2.39 gallons/year, placing it at number 28 on the list.

Beer consumption holds steady at 1.18 gallons per person, ranking Iowa 14th in the nation.

This Doesn't Tell the Full Story

Unfortunately, this isn't the full story when it comes to Iowa drinking.

Iowa ranks as the highest in the U.S. for binge drinking, with around 22.5% of adults reporting excessive/alcohol use, well above the national average.

While Iowa isn’t among the top states in per capita alcohol consumption, its excess drinking and health risks are disproportionately high.

READ MORE: Iowa is Home to Six of the Drunkest Cities in America

As for what the reasoning is, factors may include the state’s cold climate, rural drinking customs, and college town cultures.

Stay sober for this: a look at the abandoned Wasserbahn waterpark!