Guinness Consumption in the US on St. Patrick’s Day: A State-By-State Breakdown

St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th is the ultimate jackpot for Guinness lovers across the U.S., drawing in everyone from proud Irish-Americans to casual pub-goers looking to celebrate with a pint. Whether it’s longtime Guinness enthusiasts or newcomers embracing the festive spirit, the demand for the iconic stout skyrockets on March 17th. But which states are pouring the most? We’ve crunched the numbers to discover who are the top states raising the most pints.

• Total Guinness Consumption in the US
• The Top U.S. States for Guinness Lovers on St. Patrick’s Day
• 1. California – 13.3 Million Pints Consumed
• 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 in the Midwest and South and Smaller States
• Conclusion

Total Guinness Consumption in the US

In 2025, nearly half of Americans are expected to raise a glass in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, with many betting on a good time and relying on a little luck of the Irish. Collectively, these revelers are projected to consume an impressive 38.7 million pints of Guinness, making it one of the biggest “jackpots” of the year for Guinness lovers across the country. As the festivities unfold, total spending is estimated to hit a staggering $421.6 million – an economic win for bars, pubs, and retailers everywhere.

The following breakdown reveals the states with the highest levels of Guinness consumption, detailing the total number of pints consumed, total spending, and the average price per pint. Whether it’s luck, good timing, or just a great reason to celebrate, these states are the big winners when it comes to pouring pints on St. Patrick’s Day.

The Top U.S. States for Guinness Lovers on St. Patrick’s Day

Here are the top five states with the highest total spending on Guinness this St. Patrick’s Day:

1. California – 13.3 Million Pints Consumed

California leads the nation in Guinness consumption, with nearly 9 million drinkers enjoying over 17.7 million pints. The Golden State’s dominance comes down to its massive population, bustling nightlife, and thriving pub scene in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. With strong Irish-American communities and major St. Patrick’s Day events – including lively celebrations in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter – it’s no surprise California pours more Guinness than any other state, racking up an impressive $151.8 million in sales.

2. Texas – 6.8 Million Pints Consumed

Everything is bigger in Texas-including its love for Guinness. The Lone Star State comes in second, with over 4.5 million drinkers consuming approximately 9.2 million pints. Cities like Austin and Dallas are home to some of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the country, drawing crowds eager to raise a pint (or two). With an ever-growing population and a booming bar scene, Texas is a strong contender for one of the biggest Guinness hotspots in the U.S.

3. New York – 3.38 Million Pints Consumed

New York, home to one of the largest Irish-American populations in the U.S., takes the third spot. While it has fewer Guinness drinkers than California or Texas, it makes up for it with some of the priciest pints in the country-the average pint costs $8.85, pushing total Guinness spending to nearly $40 million. From the legendary St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Manhattan to the countless Irish pubs in NYC, Guinness is a staple in the Empire State’s celebrations.

4. Florida – 3.15 Million Pints Consumed

With its sunny weather and vibrant nightlife, Florida is a top destination for St. Patrick’s Day revelers. The state’s Guinness drinkers down approximately 7.4 million pints, contributing to total sales of $35.08 million. From Miami’s massive block parties to Orlando’s packed pubs, Florida’s love for Guinness continues to grow, making it one of the top states for St. Paddy’s Day celebrations.

5. Illinois – 1.26 Million Pints Consumed

Home to one of the most famous St. Patrick’s Day traditions-dyeing the Chicago River green-Illinois rounds out the top five. The state’s drinkers consume around 2.8 million pints of Guinness, totaling $12.03 million in sales. With Chicago’s deep Irish heritage and a parade that draws visitors from across the country, it’s no wonder Illinois is one of the biggest Guinness-drinking states in the U.S.

With parades, pub crawls, and plenty of Irish cheer, the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are shaping up to be bigger than ever. Whether you’re raising a pint in the heart of New York, enjoying the festivities in Florida, or watching the Chicago River turn green, Guinness remains at the center of the St. Patrick’s Day tradition.

Guinness in the Midwest and South and Smaller States

While states like California, Texas, and New York dominate in overall consumption, regions in the Midwest and South still make a substantial impact:

Ohio, with 648,000 drinkers, will consume 1.3 million pints of Guinness, amounting to $8.88 million in sales. Georgia and North Carolina show that St. Patrick’s Day enthusiasm extends beyond traditional Irish strongholds, with each state consuming over 1 million pints.

Despite their smaller populations, states like Hawaii and Vermont still make a notable impact when it comes to Guinness consumption on St. Patrick’s Day.

Hawaii, home to 1.47 million residents, is expected to pour around 24,000 pints of Guinness. The state’s celebrations are highlighted by its annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, featuring 800 participants, including community groups, marching bands, and military units. The lively event lasts about 90 minutes, drawing crowds along Kalākaua Avenue eager to celebrate with a pint in hand.

Meanwhile, Vermont, with just 653,000 residents, proves that size doesn’t dictate spirit. The state is projected to consume around 6,000 pints of Guinness, generating an estimated $43,500 in revenue. Whether in bustling Irish pubs or small-town gatherings, Vermont’s love for Guinness remains strong, showing that even the smallest states can raise a glass to the holiday in a big way.

Further considerations

• Prices vary between on-premise establishments (such as bars and pubs) and off-premise retailers (like grocery stores), so regional differences in where people are likely to consume Guinness (in large cities versus smaller towns) were factored into the analysis.
• The survey was designed to be as representative as possible of the U.S. adult population, considering factors such as age, region, and St. Patrick’s Day participation. While the sample size of 2,000 may not cover every demographic in perfect proportion, it provides a reasonable estimate for the general public’s Guinness consumption on this day.
• We assumed that the majority of Guinness drinkers would consume their pints in bars, pubs, and other social settings, where prices are generally higher than retail prices. The impact of off-premise purchases (such as those from liquor stores) is reflected in the price analysis, ensuring a balanced approach to calculating overall spending.
• Based on our research we estimated that, on average, Guinness drinkers consume between 1 and 2 pints during their St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. We applied this average consumption rate to the estimated number of drinkers in each state, then calculated the total number of pints consumed. We then estimated total spending by multiplying the number of pints consumed by the average price per pint.

Conclusion

From the sunny beaches of California to the bustling streets of New York, St. Patrick’s Day is a major celebration of Irish heritage in the U.S., with Guinness leading the charge. With over 51 million drinkers nationwide, the consumption of this iconic stout provides a major boost to the economy, with billions of dollars spent on pints. Whether you’re in a major metropolitan area or a small state, it’s clear: Americans love their Guinness on St. Patrick’s Day.