After moving to Wisconsin, filmmaker Joel Sacramento kept noticing the maps—those infamous images of the U.S. that glow with drinking stats and always seem to light up his new home state like a neon sign. Curious whether the reputation was deserved—or even true—he started asking questions.

What he found wasn’t a simple story about excess, but something more layered—shaped by culture, pride, tradition, and environment. The State of Wisconsin explores a culture where alcohol is woven into celebration, routine, and identity. From small-town taverns and basement bars to fish fries and supper clubs, the film captures the moments that define how—and why—people drink here.

Rather than offering a simple answer, it asks a deeper question: what are we really seeing when we look at Wisconsin—and what does it reveal about what people here value?

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