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You are what you drink...

Whatever you call it -- soda, pop, cola -- it's hard to deny the simple pleasure of a cool, sugary, soft drink, despite how unhealthy it may be.

While some states have already declared an official drink (19 of the 50 states claim milk as their official state beverage), the Houston Press has created the United States of Soda -- a map based on locally popular beverages for each state.

Some highlights?

  • Nevada = Red Bull
  • Kentucky = Big Red
  • Washington State = locally-made Jones Soda
  • Louisiana = Delaware Punch (confusing but true)

But the mapping didn't stop there. The United States of Soda was so popular that the Houston Press has now created a United States of Beer.

The map features the beer that best defines each state, some are made locally, others best suit the culture. Of course, Texas's beer is Shiner. And Budweiser may be known worldwide, but it was born in Missouri.

The Houston Press admits the South -- not typically know for its beer -- was hardest to assign, so they settled on Bud Light for Kentucky because it's the beer traditionally favored in beer cheese, a regional delicacy, and MGD 64 for Florida, because you need a light beer to maintain a bikini-bod.

And once again, Nevada makes the best-of list. It's beer representative? Four Loko.

Nick Knight's picture
Nick Knight - Jan 28, 2011

Funny, I am from Mass, and I am drinking a Polar Orange Dry. The one picture for our State.

Scout's picture
Scout - Jan 28, 2011

i love maps! and i love soda and beer! what could be better!!?

Cory's picture
Cory - Jan 28, 2011

This is a work of pure delight. Thanks for posting!

Candy's picture
Candy - Jan 31, 2011

Looking for info. on a show that I missed Friday January 28,2011 about water systems that were scamming people out of money.

Taylor's picture
Taylor - Jan 28, 2011

California is Mexican Coke, not A&W

Adam's picture
Adam - Jan 28, 2011

I agree. But I do like A&W. Maybe I'll move to Arizona...

Travis Prescott's picture
Travis Prescott - Feb 7, 2011

Kentucky's soda can't be "Big Red"--it's definitely Ale-8-One, which has been "bottled in Winchester since 1926 and is the only soft drink invented in Kentucky still in existence." (Source: ale8one.com)

Travis Prescott's picture
Travis Prescott - Feb 7, 2011

Kentucky's soda can't be "Big Red"--it's definitely Ale-8-One, which is "bottled in Winchester since 1926 and is the only soft drink invented in Kentucky still in existence." (Source: ale8one.com)

Trav's picture
Trav - Feb 7, 2011

Kentucky's soda can't be "Big Red"--it's definitely Ale-8-One, "bottled in Winchester since 1926 and is the only soft drink invented in Kentucky still in existence." (Source: ale8one.com)

Megan's picture
Megan - Jan 28, 2011

I haven't seen Delaware Punch in years, but I grew up in Baton Rouge and I drank it a lot in the late 70s early 80s!