5 States with the Highest Alcohol and Beer Tax

In this article, we are going to discuss the 5 states with the highest alcohol and beer tax. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the importance of the U.S. alcohol industry, the impact of Covid-19 on alcohol consumption in America, the effect of taxes on alcohol abuse, and the call for lower tax rates for canned cocktails, head to 20 States with the Highest Alcohol and Beer Tax.

5. North Carolina

Excise Tax Rate on Distilled Spirits: $16.4 per gallon 

Excise Tax Rate on Beer: $0.62 per gallon

Being one of the 17 control states, in North Carolina, the sale of liquor is controlled by the government, including taxes, fees, markup pricing, and the profit derived from liquor sales. Liquor is only sold at the state-run ABC stores, while beer and wine are also available at grocery stores and convenience stores. In fiscal year 2022, total revenue from spirituous liquor sales at the state’s ABC stores was $1.72 billion, while the total revenue for fortified wine was $2.2 million.

Excessive drinking cost North Carolinians nearly $10 billion in 2017, according to a study at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. This is a 38% increase over excessive drinking costs in 2010.