Drunk: These Areas Drink the Most in New York

New York is known for its craft beer, wine, and spirits, and these counties drink the most of them.

New York is certainly not known for being a dry state. Quite the opposite, actually. The state prides itself on its home-crafted alcohol, with plentiful breweries, wineries, and distilleries. Wine has been produced in New York for a long time, especially in the Finger Lakes. Beer and spirits have had their place in the state for a long time as well. Beer, in particular, with places like FX Matt (Saranac) and Genesee Brewing operating for decades. Craft beer became a huge hit early in the 2000s, and New Yorkers jumped on the trend with hundreds of craft breweries opening across the state. More recently, distilling has become popular as well.

So New York likes to drink, but who likes to drink the most?

Five Drunkest Counties in New York State

Intoxistates.com created an interactive map for the entire USA showing the drunkest and driest counties in America. They based their map and info on recessive drinking based on CDC information. That includes the Empire State, and here are the five drunkest counties in New York:

#1 Saratoga (21.37% of residents are excessive drinkers)

#2 Jefferson (21.27%)

#3 St. Lawrence (20.9%)

#4 New York (20.72%)

#5 Franklin (20.65%)

Surprising Omission

Surprisingly, Erie County, home to Buffalo and the Buffalo Bills, did not make the top 5. Buffalo is known for its tailgating and drinking, so it's surprising they weren't ranked higher. Erie came in, though, at #7, a few 10ths of a point behind the Top 5.

Also, Monroe County, home of Rochester and Genesee Brewery, is the second driest county in the state. That was a big surprise. Not a bad thing, of course. It's just surprising.

See the full breakdown here: intoxistates.com/