MI: Michigan residents have second-highest beer tolerance in U.S., survey says
By Brandon Champion
October 9, 2019
Michigan likes to drink.
It has a thriving craft beer industry and a summer culture anchored by things like boating, camping and golfing. Not to mention long, dark winter months when a bold stout isn’t a bad idea.
Regardless of the season, drinking, in moderation, can be an enjoyable compliment in social situations, but according to a very unscientific survey released by Alcohol.org, Michiganders have a higher perceived tolerance to alcohol than most states.
According to the survey, Michiganders have the second-highest perceived tolerance to beer in the country at 4.02 beers to get drunk. Only Arizona (4.04 beers) was higher. Maine (3.88 beers), Wisconsin (3.88 beers) and Missouri (3.87 beers) rounded out the top 5.
The survey asked 2,580 Americans across every state a simple question: How many 4.5% alcohol by volume beers does it take for you to start feeling drunk?
Surveyors then averaged the count of beers from each respondent by state to arrive at the average number of beers for each state.
The states with the lowest perceived tolerances, according to the survey, are Hawaii (2.71 beers), Idaho (2.75), Arkansas (2.90), Montana (2.92), and California (2.96). The national average is 3.45 beers.
In addition, just 12% of Michigan residents said they would feel drunk after one beer. Maine (11.5%), North Dakota (11.8%) and Wisconsin (11.8%) are the only states with a lower percentage.
According to the survey, Montana has the highest number of residents who feel drunk after one beer at 38%. Next on the list are Hawaii and Idaho, each with 32.7%.