These Were America's Drunkest Days of 2014

America's drunkest day of 2014 wasn't St. Patrick's Day — it was actually two days before.

The news may leave you shouting "Erin go bragh!" or, if you're one of the especially drunk ones, "Erin go blurgh."

Image via Leo Hidalgo/flickr

According to a report from the portable breathalyzer company BACtrack — a firm that knows a thing or two about drunkenness — Americans get the drunkest in the winter months, December through March.

Analyzing user data, BACtrack found that 14 of Americans' 15 drunkest days fell between December and March, when BACtrack users had average blood alcohol content levels of 0.08 percent or higher.

The only non-winter day on the list was the Saturday before Cinco de Mayo.

Here are the five drunkest days of the year so far, according to BACtrack:

1. March 15 (Saturday, two days before St. Patrick's Day) — 0.094 percent BAC
2. Jan. 25 — 0.093 percent average BAC
3. Feb. 15 (Saturday, day after Valentine's Day) — 0.092 percent average BAC
4. Feb. 2 (Super Bowl Sunday) — 0.091 percent average BAC
5. Feb 1 (Saturday, day before the Super Bowl) — 0.09 percent average BAC

And 2013 ended on a particularly drunk note, the report noted, with New Year's Eve ringing in an average BAC of 0.094 percent.

See the full list below:

(Image via BACtrack)

According to BACtrack's analysis, Americans may be trying to maximize their fun on the drunkest days, but they're overshooting alcohol's sweet spot by shooting past 0.06 percent BAC:

[R]esearch shows drinkers are 'buzzed' and experience stimulating effects such as increased energy and self-confidence when they have a BAC of 0.055% or lower. At 0.06%, drinkers reach peak stimulation and the euphoric effects of alcohol take place. Once they surpass the 0.06% threshold (called the 'Point of Diminishing Returns'), the depressant effects of alcohol, such as fatigue, lack of balance and poor coordination, begin to kick in and drinkers are more likely to appear 'drunk' to those around them. They are also more likely to have horrible hangovers.

BACtrack's 2014 data was not complete, since 2014 isn't yet over — so this New Year's Eve could dethrone Mar. 16 as the drunkest day of the year.

(H/T: io9)

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