States with Most Producers Per Capita
States ranked by alcohol producers per 100,000 residents — the densest beverage production economies.
What This Ranking Tells Us
Per capita rankings reveal which states have the densest alcohol production relative to population. Oregon, Vermont, and Wyoming lead — small-population states with strong craft traditions and favorable regulations. Oregon's 18+ producers per 100K reflects its craft beer and wine culture. Large states like California and Texas rank lower per capita despite having the most total producers, because their massive populations dilute the ratio.
How to Read the States with Most Producers Per Capita
This ranking covers 51 states scored by per 100k. The leader is Oregon at 18.3, with Vermont (15.8) in second place and Washington DC (12.2) in third. Every number comes from the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) federal permittee database — the same source the federal government uses to track alcohol producers, importers, and wholesalers. The registry is released publicly under FOIA and refreshed as permits are issued, amended, or surrendered.
Per-capita rankings normalize producer counts against state population, which is why small states with active craft scenes (Oregon, Vermont, Wyoming) can outrank California despite having a fraction of the raw permit count. Per-capita density tends to predict market competitiveness better than raw counts — a consumer in a high-per-capita state typically has more local options within a short driving radius.
Federal permit counts are not a direct proxy for alcohol consumption, economic output, or public-health risk. State-level ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) rules govern retail access, distribution, and excise tax — all of which shape actual market conditions. NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) tracks per-capita drinking and alcohol-related outcomes separately; a state can rank high in producer counts and low in drinking rates, or vice versa. Use this ranking to understand where federally licensed production lives, then layer state ABC and NIAAA data on top for the full picture. Source: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Federal Permit Registry.
| # | State | Per 100K |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | 18.3 |
| 2 | Vermont | 15.8 |
| 3 | Washington DC | 12.2 |
| 4 | Wyoming | 12.1 |
| 5 | Washington | 11.6 |
| 6 | Montana | 10.3 |
| 7 | Alaska | 10.0 |
| 8 | Maine | 8.9 |
| 9 | South Dakota | 8.8 |
| 10 | Delaware | 8.5 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | 8.5 |
| 12 | Colorado | 8.4 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | 8.4 |
| 14 | North Dakota | 8.3 |
| 15 | Hawaii | 7.4 |
| 16 | Idaho | 6.3 |
| 17 | Virginia | 6.2 |
| 18 | New Mexico | 5.8 |
| 19 | Nebraska | 5.5 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 5.4 |
| 21 | California | 5.3 |
| 22 | Minnesota | 4.8 |
| 23 | West Virginia | 4.7 |
| 24 | Massachusetts | 4.6 |
| 25 | Michigan | 4.3 |
| 26 | North Carolina | 4.3 |
| 27 | Kentucky | 4.2 |
| 28 | Ohio | 4.1 |
| 29 | Kansas | 4.0 |
| 30 | New York | 4.0 |
| 31 | Iowa | 3.9 |
| 32 | Nevada | 3.8 |
| 33 | Missouri | 3.7 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | 3.6 |
| 35 | Tennessee | 3.6 |
| 36 | Connecticut | 3.5 |
| 37 | Indiana | 3.1 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | 3.0 |
| 39 | Arkansas | 2.9 |
| 40 | Mississippi | 2.8 |
| 41 | Utah | 2.8 |
| 42 | Illinois | 2.7 |
| 43 | Louisiana | 2.4 |
| 44 | South Carolina | 2.3 |
| 45 | Maryland | 2.0 |
| 46 | Texas | 2.0 |
| 47 | Alabama | 1.9 |
| 48 | Arizona | 1.7 |
| 49 | Georgia | 1.7 |
| 50 | Florida | 1.6 |
| 51 | New Jersey | 1.3 |
Source: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Federal Permit Registry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do small states rank higher per capita?
States with smaller populations need fewer producers to achieve a high per-capita ratio. Vermont (650K population) with 100 producers would rank higher than Texas (30M population) with 600 producers. Small states with strong agricultural traditions (grapes, hops, grain) and tourism-driven demand tend to rank highest.
Does per capita ranking indicate better beer or wine?
Not directly, but it does indicate a more competitive local market with more choices for consumers. States with high producer density tend to have vibrant beverage tourism, more locally-sourced options, and stronger industry support networks (equipment suppliers, ingredient providers, distribution channels).
Explore More Rankings
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.