A Detailed Look at Guinness Consumption Across U.S. States on St. Patrick's Day

March 17th marks St. Patrick's Day, a perfect occasion for Guinness fans across the United States. It brings together both those with deep Irish roots and the occasional drinkers eager to join the festivities over a pint. Whether you're a passionate fan of the stout or just soaking in the celebrative vibe, the demand for Guinness skyrockets. Curious to know where the most pints are being raised? We delved into the data to reveal which states are the largest consumers.

• Total Guinness Consumption in the US
• The Most Guinness-Loving U.S. States on St. Patrick's Day
• 1. California – Consuming a Staggering 13.3 Million Pints
• 2. Texas – 6.8 Million Pints Consumed
• 3. New York – 3.38 Million Pints Consumed
• 4. Florida – 3.15 Million Pints Consumed
• 5. Illinois – 1.26 Million Pints Consumed
• Guinness Enthusiasm in the Midwest, Southern States, and Smaller Regions
• Conclusion

Total Guinness Consumption in the US

In 2025, it's anticipated that almost half of the American population will indulge in celebrating St. Patrick's Day, embracing the spirit with a bit of Irish luck. Combined, these revelers will drink an astounding 38.7 million pints of Guinness, marking the day as a colossal event for Guinness aficionados. As celebrations heighten, spending is expected to soar to $421.6 million, benefitting bars, pubs, and retailers nationwide.

This detailed analysis highlights the states where Guinness consumption is at its peak, listing out the total number of pints, predicted spending, and average pint prices. It seems luck, timing, or simply having a festive spirit propels these states to the top in terms of Guinness thirst on St. Patrick's Day.

The Most Guinness-Loving U.S. States on St. Patrick’s Day

Here's a lineup of the top five states in terms of Guinness expenditure this St. Patrick's Day:

1. California – 13.3 Million P ints Consumed

California stands as the nation's leader in Guinness drinking, with about 9 million aficionados consuming over 17.7 million pints. The state's leading role is attributed to its vast population, vibrant nightlife, and thriving pub culture in metropolises such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. With notable Irish-American communities and grand events – including San Diego’s bustling celebrations – California unsurprisingly sells a whopping $151.8 million in Guinness.

2. Texas – 6.8 Million Pints Consumed

In Texas, vastness is a trope not just for landscapes but also for Guinness affinity. Ranking second, the Lone Star State's 4.5 million Guinness enthusiasts drink nearly 9.2 million pints. Cities like Austin and Dallas host grand St. Patrick’s Day festivities, pulling crowds eager to raise a glass, if not more. With its surging population and lively bar scenario, Texas stands firm as a significant Guinness epicenter in America.

3. New York – 3.38 Million Pints Consumed

New York, renowned for its substantial Irish-American demographic, secures the third position. While beer lovers are lesser in number than in California or Texas, New York compensates with some of the priciest pints, averaging $8.85 each. This elevates the total spending to nearly $40 million. From Manhattan’s famed parade to the multitude of Irish watering holes in NYC, Guinness remains integral to the state's celebrations.

4. Florida – 3.15 Million Pints Consumed

Florida, known for its sunshine and dynamic nightlife, is a magnet for St. Patrick's Day party-goers. Enthusiasts of Guinness in the state consume an estimated 7.4 million pints, contributing $35.08 million in sales. From Miami's dynamic street events to Orlando’s popular pubs, Florida’s affection for Guinness strengthens yearly, marking it a top festive spot for the holiday.

5. Illinois – 1.26 Million Pints Consumed

Illinois concludes the top five, boasting one of St. Patrick's most cherished traditions—turning the Chicago River green. Drinkers in the state enjoy close to 2.8 million pints of Guinness, with total sales reaching $12.03 million. Given Chicago’s profound Irish cultural ties and a parade attracting visitors nationwide, Illinois naturally stands as a leading Guinness-consuming state.

With grand parades, enthusiastic pub visits, and a hearty dose of Irish delight, the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day festivities are predicted to be unparalleled. Whether enjoying a pint amidst New York’s clamorous streets, soaking up the festive vibe in Florida, or viewing Chicago’s river transformation, Guinness remains at the heart of this beloved celebration.

Delving into Guinness Consumption in the Midwest, Southern States, and Smaller Regions

While states like California, Texas, and New York lead in Guinness drinking, the Midwest and South hold their ground too:

Ohio will see 648,000 drinkers consuming 1.3 million pints, generating $8.88 million in sales. Georgia and North Carolina showcase that the St. Patrick’s love extends beyond Irish bastions, as both states consume over a million pints.

Despite smaller numbers of residents, places like Hawaii and Vermont still register significant Guinness consumption on St. Patrick’s Day.

Hawaii sees approximately 24,000 pints being raised among its 1.47 million inhabitants. The annual parade, featuring 800 participants spanning community groups to bands and military units, is a highlight. It parades down Kalākaua Avenue for 90 minutes, attracting revelers eager for a pint.

Vermont, mere 653,000 strong, demonstrates that spirit isn’t size-dependent. With projections of around 6,000 pints, this generates $43,500 in revenue. In lively Irish pubs or cozy gatherings, Vermont’s Guinness admiration remains steadfast, evidencing that lighter populations can still lift their glasses grandly.

Further considerations

• Recognizing price variations between on-premise venues (like bars) and off-premise retailers (such as grocery outlets), we considered regional consumption preferences when analyzing where Guinness drinkers may consume their pints.
• The survey aimed for a snapshot of U.S. adult drinkers considering demographics such as age, locality, and St. Patrick’s Day allegiance. While the 2,000-sample size might not cover every demographic proportionately, it offers a fair breezy guess of Guinness drinking this day.
• Assuming that most Guinness lovers enjoy their stout in social environments where prices surpass retail indices, we balanced off-premise buys (like liquor stores) to reflect realistic expenditure via price analyses.
• With our research, we estimated that on average, St. Patrick’s celebrants enjoy between one and two Guinness pints. Applying this average consumption rate to each state's estimated drinkers, we calculated the total pint count. Then, multiplying by the average pint cost gave the general spending estimation.

Conclusion

From the sun-kissed Californian shores to NYC's vibrant streets, celebrating Irish heritage on St. Patrick’s Day with Guinness at the forefront is a grand tradition. The stout, adored by over 51 million nationwide, injects a noticeable financial stimulus, enriching economies with billions spent on this timeless beverage. Be it urban giants or smaller dwellers, Americans are seemingly united in their admiration for Guinness on March 17th.