About the Film
Not long after moving to Wisconsin, filmmaker Joel Sacramento came across a U.S. map based on county-level data on excessive drinking. While most of the country was shaded in soft yellows and oranges, Wisconsin stood out — every county marked in red, with several in deep purple.
That image—the map—sparked a simple question: Is this accurate? And if so, how did we get here—and why does it persist?
This isn’t an exposé or a public health campaign — it’s a look at what makes Wisconsin unique, through the lens of tradition, history, and lived experience.
Wisconsin On Tap follows Joel’s journey beyond the data, into the histories, traditions, and personal stories that have woven drinking culture into the state’s identity.
From roadside taverns and supper clubs to barns, town fairs, and church festivals, the film captures the spirit of a community—in all its contradictions, celebrations, and changes. The map is just the starting point. The real story is written in the voices of everyday Wisconsinites.
Mapping the Story
Data: County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (2024)
Map: Created with Datawrapper.
About the Filmmaker
Joel Sacramento is an award-winning filmmaker, cinematographer, and founder of Meter Studio. A lifelong Midwesterner, his work spans commercials, travel shows, social-issue documentaries, and animation.
His recent short film Awakening Wanda won Best Regional Film at the Beloit International Film Festival. He has also contributed to acclaimed feature documentaries including The Atomic States of America (Sundance) and Make Believe (LA Film Fest, internationally screened).
Joel is currently based in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Contact
For inquiries, collaboration, or story leads, contact Joel at:
meterstudio@gmail.com