Vivian Marlowe
Alcohol consumption in Texas has been a topic of interest for various organizations, with studies examining the financial impact, health consequences, and regional variations in drinking patterns. Texas collects revenue from alcohol sales through taxes on wholesale distributors and retailers, and the state generated $635 million in general revenue from mixed beverage taxes in 2010. Dallas County residents spent the second-highest at $40 on average, followed by Bexar and Tarrant counties at $38, and Harris County at $35. Excessive drinking is prevalent in Texas, with an average rate of nearly 17% by county and a state average of over 18%. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the issue, with a 30% increase in alcohol-related deaths between 2020-2021 compared to 2016-2017. Texas has a mix of wet, dry, and moist counties regarding alcohol sales, with varying regulations on drinking age, service, and consumption. Texans have a preference for tequila, with restaurant-goers consuming 119% more tequila than other states, and beer is the most popular adult beverage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| County with the highest alcohol spending | Dallas County |
| Average amount spent by residents of the county with the highest alcohol spending | $40 |
| Counties with the second-highest alcohol spending | Bexar and Tarrant County |
| Average amount spent by residents of the counties with the second-highest alcohol spending | $38 |
| County with the third-highest alcohol spending | Harris County |
| Average amount spent by residents of the county with the third-highest alcohol spending | $35 |
| Total number of "dry" counties in Texas (where alcohol sales are not legal) | 4 |
| Total number of "wet" counties in Texas (where all alcohol sales are legal) | 60 |
| Average rate of excessive drinking by county | 17% |
| State average of excessive drinking | 18% |
| Legal drinking age in Texas | 21 years |
| Minimum age to work at a company serving alcoholic beverages in Texas | 18 years |
| Most popular alcoholic beverage in Texas | Beer |
| Most popular spirit in Texas | Tequila |
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What You'll Learn
Texas alcohol revenue collection methods
Texas collects revenue from alcohol sales in two main ways. Firstly, wholesale distributors are taxed a set rate per gallon of alcohol they sell to retailers. Secondly, retailers (bars, restaurants, stadiums, and hotels) are taxed 14% of the price of alcoholic drinks they sell to customers.
In 2010, Texas generated $635 million in general revenue from the mixed beverage tax. The top five grossing counties in terms of total revenue, in order of population size, are Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, and Travis. Dallas County residents paid the second-highest amount on average ($40), followed by Bexar and Tarrant County residents ($38) and Harris County residents ($35).
To ensure compliance, Texas has implemented various reporting requirements and penalties for late or incomplete submissions. Permit and license holders must register by completing Form AP-229 before filing alcohol sales reports. Reports are due monthly, and entities that fail to submit complete reports on time may be subject to fines starting at $500 for the first day and an additional $25 for each subsequent day. Brewers, manufacturers, distributors, and package store distributors are required to file monthly information reports about their sales to retailers.
While Texas collects revenue through these taxation methods, it is important to consider the impact of alcohol consumption on public health. Studies have shown that excessive drinking is associated with various negative consequences, including health issues, accidents, and social costs. Texas has seen an increase in alcohol-related deaths, and the CDC recommends screening adults for unhealthy alcohol use and providing behavioral counseling interventions when necessary.
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Texas counties with the highest alcohol revenue
Texas collects revenue from alcohol sales in two ways. Firstly, wholesale distributors are taxed a set rate per gallon of alcohol they sell to retailers. Secondly, retailers (such as bars, restaurants, stadiums, and hotels) are taxed 14% of the price of alcoholic drinks they sell to customers. In 2010, Texas generated $635 million in revenue from mixed beverage taxes. The top five grossing counties in terms of total revenue, ordered by population size, are:
- Harris County
- Dallas County
- Tarrant County
- Bexar County
- Travis County
Dallas County residents paid the second-highest amount of tax on alcohol, with an average of $40, while Bexar and Tarrant County residents paid $38 and Harris County residents paid $35.
Although Texas does not have a state monopoly on alcohol sales, most Texas counties and cities allow some form of alcohol sales. There are 60 completely "wet" counties, where all alcoholic beverage sales are legal everywhere, and three completely "dry" counties, where sales of alcoholic beverages are not legal anywhere. The remaining 195 Texas counties are "moist" counties, a combination of wet and dry areas, where beer and wine can be sold from 7:00 a.m. until midnight Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, and from 10:00 a.m. until midnight on Sunday.
In terms of alcohol consumption, a CDC study found that the average rate of excessive drinking by county in Texas was nearly 17%, with the state average being more than 18%. Texas ranked in the middle of the pack at 18% of self-reported excessive drinkers, according to the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute's annual County Health Rankings and Roadmaps report.
When it comes to the type of alcohol consumed, Texans tend to favor beer, which ranked as the most popular adult beverage in all 50 states during the second quarter of 2023. However, restaurant-goers in Texas consumed the most tequila, with 119% more tequila consumed than in any other state.
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Texas counties with the highest excessive drinking rates
While there is limited information on which Texas county spends the most on alcohol, there are several sources that provide insights on excessive drinking rates in the state. Excessive drinking has adverse health outcomes, and short- and long-term excessive alcohol consumption can lead to negative consequences for individuals and those around them.
According to the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps report by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, Texas had an average rate of excessive drinking by county of nearly 17%, while the state average was over 18%. This report considers various factors that impact health outcomes and disparities, including the excessive consumption of alcohol. Texas ranked in the middle of the pack in terms of self-reported excessive drinking, with 18% of respondents indicating they engaged in excessive drinking.
When examining specific counties within Texas, Loving County stood out with the highest rate of excessive drinkers at 25%. Travis County followed closely behind with a rate of 23%. These rates are significantly higher than the state average and highlight areas where excessive drinking is more prevalent.
It is worth noting that the CDC defines binge drinking as four or more drinks in one sitting for women and five or more drinks for men. Heavy drinking is defined as eight or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more drinks per week for men. These definitions provide a framework for understanding excessive drinking and allow for comparisons between different regions.
While the focus is on Texas, it is interesting to note that Wisconsin has been consistently mentioned as the state with the highest rate of self-reported excessive drinkers, with all 72 of its counties reporting excessive drinking rates at or above 20%. This widespread excessive drinking in Wisconsin may be influenced by the state's well-known beer brewing industry.
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Texas alcohol laws
Texas has strict rules about when and where alcohol can be sold, especially on Sundays and public holidays. Alcohol sales are prohibited on Sundays before 10 am and after 9 pm, and all day on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Texas is one of ten states that allow minors to consume alcohol in the presence of consenting and supervising family members. However, it is illegal to provide alcohol to a non-family member under the age of 17, even with parental permission. The minimum legal age to consume alcohol in Texas is 21, and the legal drinking limit is a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08%.
Texas collects revenue from alcohol sales in two ways: through a set rate per gallon of alcohol sold by wholesale distributors to retailers, and through a 14% tax on the price of alcoholic drinks sold by retailers to customers. In 2010, Texas raised $635 million through the mixed beverage tax. The top five grossing counties in terms of total revenue were Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, and Travis.
While Texas has one set of alcohol laws, the types of sales allowed vary by city and county. Counties can be "dry", where alcohol sales are not legal anywhere, "moist", where there is a combination of wet and dry areas, or "wet", where all alcoholic beverage sales are legal everywhere. Only four Texas counties are completely dry, while many are completely wet.
The average rate of excessive drinking in Texas is 18%, with men, adults aged 18-44, and multiracial individuals more likely to engage in excessive drinking. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to adverse health outcomes, including liver disease, cancer, and an increased risk of accidental injury or death. To address this issue, Texas has implemented measures such as increasing alcohol excise taxes and reducing the density of alcohol outlets.
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Texas's most popular alcoholic drinks
Texas has a thriving craft beer industry, and its liquor cabinets are stocked with fine products from several reputable Texan distilleries. The state's most popular alcoholic drinks include:
Beer
Texans once favoured beers like Lone Star, Pearl, or Shiner. However, the rise of craft brewing has diversified the beer scene, with options like Hans’ Pils by Real Ale Brewing Company.
The Margarita
The margarita is arguably Texas's unofficial drink. It typically contains tequila, fresh lime juice, and Cointreau, mixed at a 1.5-to-1-to-.5 ratio, shaken with ice, and served in a chilled glass with a salted rim. The Frozen Margarita Machine was invented in Dallas, solidifying the state's love for this cocktail.
Ranch Water
Ranch Water is a simple cocktail that is perfect for a hot Texas summer day. It is made with tequila, lime juice, and Topo Chico, garnished with a lime wedge.
The Paloma
The Paloma is another tequila-based cocktail and is considered by some to be the top cocktail in Texas. It is a fresh and simple drink, typically served in a margarita glass with a grapefruit wedge.
Mexican Martini
The Mexican Martini is similar to a margarita but served in a martini glass garnished with lime and olives.
While these drinks are popular, excessive alcohol consumption is a concern in Texas. The state has seen increases in alcohol-related deaths, and the average rate of excessive drinking by county is nearly 17%, with a state average of over 18%. The top-grossing counties in terms of alcohol revenue are Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, and Travis.
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Frequently asked questions
While there is no clear data on which county spends the most on alcohol, the top five grossing counties in terms of total revenue from mixed beverage taxes are Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, and Travis.
Texas collects revenue from alcohol sales by taxing wholesale distributors a set rate per gallon of alcohol sold to retailers. Retailers are taxed 14% of the price of alcoholic drinks sold to customers.
Texas has a mix of "wet" and "dry" counties, with most counties allowing some form of alcohol sales. Beer and wine can be sold from 7:00 AM until midnight Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM on Saturday, and 10:00 AM to midnight on Sunday. Alcohol sales are prohibited on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The legal drinking age in Texas is 21, with some exceptions for minors in the presence of consenting family members.
Texans have a preference for tequila, consuming 119% more tequila when dining out compared to other states. The most popular cocktail in Texas is the margarita, and the favorite tequila brand is Don Julio.
Excessive alcohol consumption has led to an increase in alcohol-related deaths in Texas, with an average of 488 deaths per day attributed to excessive drinking. The CDC has reported that during the COVID-19 pandemic, deaths linked to excessive drinking surged, with a 30% increase in the average annual number of deaths from 2016-2017 to 2020-2021.
