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Consuming alcohol responsibly involves understanding the differences in alcohol types and their respective quantities. Each type of alcohol – be it beer, wine, or hard liquor – varies in alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage. According to the National Consumer League, one 12-ounce beer can be equated to one shot, although this can fluctuate based on the specific ABVs of both the liquor and beer. Notably, a beer with a 4% ABV will have less of an impact than a beer with an 8% ABV. The CDC suggests that men should ideally engage in no more than two drinks per day, and women only one, to mitigate any potential health risks associated with alcohol.

The term ‘alcohol by volume’ refers to the amount of ethanol in every 100 milliliters of liquid. Liquor generally has a higher ABV (around 40%) than beer (about 5%), which accounts for the easier tolerance of beer than straight vodka. However, things get complicated when considering that the assumption of equating one beer to one shot is based on a very general percentage of 5% ABV. Some common beers like Michelob, Budweiser, and Heineken have a 5% ABV, but lighter beers such as Coors Light, Miller Lite, and Bud Light maintain an ABV of 4.2% and contain fewer calories and carbohydrates. It’s crucial, however, to remember that some beers can have a significantly higher ABV. Many craft beers, for instance, can have higher alcohol percentages, with Allagash Brewing Company’s Tripel containing 9% ABV, and some reaching 11% ABV. To calculate how many “standard drinks” a beer is equivalent to based on its alcohol percentage, check out a calculator provided by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. How this equates to liquor, however, will depend on the other variables mentioned.

Different liquors have varying ABVs, with some exceeding 40%, termed as overproof, and others under 40%. Understanding the exact ABV content of your drink is crucial to comprehend the effect it might have on your body.

The beer-making procedure influences its ABV. Beer is produced from barley, a grain rich in sugar, which over a period, ferments with the aid of yeast. As fermentation unfolds, yeast consumes sugar and converts it to alcohol. The duration of fermentation and the variety of yeast used can alter not only the flavor of beer but also its alcohol content.

A beer’s ABV straight impacts your body’s blood-alcohol level or BAC. If you’ve ever heard of “driving under the influence”, it likely implies that their BAC was more than 0.08%. Your gender and weight significantly affect your BAC. According to a blood alcohol chart, a female weighing 140 pounds can likely consume two drinks while staying under the legal limit, whereas a male weighing 180 pounds might be able to consume approximately four drinks. But, it’s generally presumed that a “drink” refers to a 12-ounce, 5% ABV beer or a 1.5-ounce, 40% ABV shot of liquor.

To read more, check the original article on Daily Meal.