Zach Bryan has disclosed that he consumed up to 15 beers daily and was intoxicated while writing nearly every hit song of his career. The 30-year-old country star detailed these habits during a conversation with Matthew McConaughey, which was released alongside his latest EP, "Young Manhood and Other Donatable Organs." Bryan stated that his drinking escalated to the point where he experienced severe panic attacks that left him fearing a stroke or death.
Bryan described his pre-show routine, which he previously considered essential for managing stage fright. The routine included working out, showering, playing guitar, listening to Bon Iver, and drinking four beers. He noted that the alcohol eliminated his stage fright, allowing him to perform, and he would continue drinking after the show. This cycle repeated daily, with Bryan waking up for the next performance and drinking again to manage his anxiety. He recalled thinking the cycle was permanent and that he would never escape it.
His managers had questioned whether he had attempted to perform without alcohol, but Bryan dismissed the idea, viewing drinking as a necessary part of his routine comparable to lucky socks. He maintained that the arrangement worked because he was performing well, paying bills, and employing between 100 and 200 people. Bryan said he believed sobriety was a joke reserved for people who could not control themselves, and he did not recognize his own drinking as a problem until later.
The turning point came during a solo 30-day motorcycle trip across the United States. Bryan said he spent much of the trip drinking at bars to sleep. Upon reaching a Pilot truck stop outside Seattle, he purchased a 40-ounce Budweiser and sat on the curb beside his motorcycle. He realized he had spent the previous month chasing a romanticized moment only to end up alone in a parking lot with no one to call. This realization prompted him to question why he was drinking and what he was celebrating.
Bryan stated that his doctor had previously diagnosed him with panic disorder and suggested quitting alcohol might help. He had initially dismissed this advice, telling the doctor he was merely hungover. After his motorcycle trip, Bryan committed to sobriety. He noted that while performing sober is initially more intimidating, it becomes more enjoyable and rewarding once he is on stage. He described the sober performance as feeling like flying.
Bryan admitted that he had convinced himself alcohol was essential to his songwriting process, believing he would never write good songs if not under the influence. He described this belief as a curse. His current EP, "Young Manhood and Other Donatable Organs," is the first project where he wrote and sang every word sober. He previously announced in November 2025 that he had been sober for two months, citing a need to cope with perpetual discontent. Bryan now says sobriety has made him feel creative, energized, and content.