Why is Delaware ranked as one of the drunkest U.S. states? Find out, plus other rankings

When it comes to alcoholic beverages, you can easily find whatever you’re craving in Delaware.

Whether that’s your favorite sour ale, a winery special, a new First State brew or something off the shelf, there’s bound to be ample inventory nearby, so it’s no surprise that Delaware ranks as one of the drunkest states in the United States.

Why is Delaware one of the drunkest states in the country?

Insider Monkey, a financial website, ranked each state based on ethanol consumption per capita to determine the top five spots. The number of breweries, wineries, meaderies was analyzed, along with state alcohol laws, population size, annual liquor sales and state size.

Delaware ranks No. 2, with 4.4 gallons of ethanol consumption per capita.

Insider Monkey reports that the Small Wonder’s beer and craft scene continues to grow, with four wineries, more than 20 breweries and two meaderies within the 1,948 square miles of Delaware.

Without sales tax on alcohol, Delaware’s alcohol market is also aided by sales from regional neighbors.

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Drunkest states in the U.S.

Insider Monkey crowned New Hampshire as the drunkest state in the U.S., with their ethanol consumption per capita at 4.43 gallons.

The state has high alcohol sales per capita thanks to its state-operated liquor stores and, like Delaware, the low prices in stores near state borders attract customers from beyond state lines.

New Hampshire’s status as a “control state” allows in-state stores to offer wide selections of name-brand products at affordable prices with low taxes, which has led to more than 12 million customers throughout the country traveling to the Granite State per year to shop for alcohol, according to Inside Monkey.

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More than $4 billion in net profits have been raised to support state services since the first NH Liquor & Wine Outlet opened in 1934.

The rest of the top five drunkest places in the U.S. are:

• Washington, D.C., with 4.07 gallons of ethanol consumption per capita

• Nevada, with 3.51 gallons of ethanol consumption per capita

• Montana, with 3.34 gallons of ethanol consumption per capita

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com. 

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware is named the third drunkest state in the U.S.