A national survey of state-by-state trends for St. Patrick’s Day alcohol consumption showed Pennsylvania as a mix of merriment and melancholy. Ben Treanor shot through the data for time2play.

The time2play survey asked 1,542 Americans across all 50 states and the District of Columbia about their shamrock-inspired traditions. Respondents provided information on how many drinks they consume, with whom they tipple, and and how much they spend toasting The Auld Sod.

Surprisingly, Pennsylvania landed the top spot as the state whose residents drink the most on the Feast of St. Patrick. Its Celtic celebrants eclipse Boston and its heavily Irish population and Las Vegas, where casino-accessible alcohol is plentiful.

Pennsylvanians consume an average of 4.26 drinks in celebrating all things Ireland and spend an average of $38.48 doing so.

Interestingly, however, the liquid fortification may be a measure of assuaging loneliness. The survey data also show that 18.6 percent of Pa. revelers are solo at their nearby Irish pubs on green-beer day, drinking alone.

To nobody’s surprise, the most popular adult beverage accompanying those traditional dishes of corned beef and cabbage is beer, followed by mixed drinks and whiskey.

Read more about the states that drink the most on St. Patrick’s Day at time2play.

_____

Editor’s Note: This MONTCO Today post ran originally on Mar. 17, 2022; it has been verified for accuracy.

What is Saint Patrick’s Day actually like in Ireland?