Market share of largest spirits producing states in the USA 1917-1922
The 18th Amendment, which criminalized the production, sale and importation or transportation of alcohol, was ratified into the US Constitution in January 1919, and came into effect in January 1920. Prior to this, the alcoholic drinks industry in the US was booming, particularly the production of whiskeys and bourbons in the southern states. With the introduction of Prohibition however, traditional breweries and distilleries made way for illegal enterprises, and complex and time consuming drinks such as whiskeys were replaced by easily made gin and moonshine. Across the various states the quantities of alcohol being produced changed dramatically in the five year period shown here. Kentucky, which has the largest market share today, saw it's total market share drop to less than one percent in 1922. States such as Louisiana and Maryland saw their market share double or triple, however the market at this time was drastically smaller than in 1917.