Cheap beer ailing America? 12 states with "worst" beer taxes
A battle over beer taxes may be brewing, as calls mount for state governments to raise excise taxes on beer in order to curb alcohol abuse and raise money to fund public health programs. The Beer Institute opposes higher taxes, saying they limit "brewers' and beer importers' ability to invest, expand and hire employees." But the alcohol industry watchdog group Alcohol Justice disagrees, saying taxes on beer haven't kept pace with inflation. "Beer tax rates are too low in every state," the group says on its website. Keep clicking to see the 12 states Alcohol Justice singled out for having the "worst" tax rates...
12. Georgia
Kicking off the list of states with "worst" beer tax rates is Georgia. The tax rate - which has not increased since 1964 - is 48 cents per gallon.
11. Mississippi
Beer tax: 46 cents per gallon
Year of last increase: 1950
10. Louisiana
Beer tax: 32 cents per gallon
Year of last increase: 1948
9. Michigan
Beer tax: 20 cents per gallon
Year of last increase: 1966
8. West Virginia
Beer tax: 18 cents per gallon
Year of last increase: 1955
7. North Dakota
Beer tax: 16 cents per gallon
Year of last increase: 1963
6. Idaho
Beer tax: 15 cents per gallon
Year of last increase: 1961
5. Pennsylvania (TIE)
Beer tax: 8 cents per gallon
Year of last increase: 1947
5. Kentucky (TIE)
Beer tax: 8 cents per gallon
Year of last increase: 1954
3. Wisconsin (TIE)
Beer tax: 6 cents per gallon
Year of last increase: 1969
3. Missouri (TIE)
Beer tax: 6 cents per gallon
Year of last increase: 1971
1. Wyoming
In Wyoming, the tax on beer is only 2 cents per gallon. It hasn't been raised since 1935.