Gallatin County, Montana, has earned the title of America’s drunkest county in 2024, with 26.8% of residents classified as heavy drinkers, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.
The distinction doesn’t surprise local resident Joshua Shamberger, known as “Captain White Claw” for his superhero persona inspired by the Hungry Moose store’s record-breaking hard seltzer sales.
“It was like the No. 1 seller of White Claw per capita in the universe. I thought that was funny, so I made the suit,” said Shamberger.
The CDC defines heavy drinking as eight or more drinks weekly for women, or 15 for men. Gallatin County leads all U.S. counties, including major college towns and spring break destinations, with nearby Missoula County second at 25.5%.
Local distiller Thomas McGuane Jr. attributes the high consumption to the county’s vacation destination status and lifestyle.
“It’s kind of a holiday fest here always and then we also have the added rough weather that makes the only appealing activity wandering downtown and blowing off some steam,” said McGuane, founder of Bozeman Spirits Distillery.
At the Hungry Moose store near the exclusive Yellowstone Club, shift leader Andy Fortier sees drinking habits spanning from $3.60 tallboys to $1,700 bottles of Chateau Lafite Rothschild.
“The ski resort aspect kind of makes it like a college town,” said Fortier. “Everyone just kind of uses that as their reason to get drunk every day.”
Gallatin County’s population growth has slowed to 1.16% in 2024, down from 4.5% in 2019-2020, which could affect its ranking. Wisconsin’s Dane County trails by just one percentage point, while Utah maintains the nation’s lowest drinking rates at 9.04%.
The county’s drinking culture has spawned local innovations like Parker’s Hangover Tonic, created by Amy Eisenzimer.
“When you feel dead, it’ll clear your head,” promises the company’s motto, offering quick relief for the county’s abundant heavy drinkers.