FOOD NEWS
How Much Beer Equals A Single Shot Of Liquor?
By Julia Mullaney
Whether you're drinking beer, wine, or a liquor-based cocktail, it's important to know your drink's alcohol by volume (or ABV) percentage to enjoy it responsibly.
ABV refers to the amount of ethanol for every 100 milliliters of liquid. Liquor usually has a higher ABV (around 40%) than beer (around 5%), which is why beer is easier to drink.
Generally speaking, the National Consumer League reports that one 12-ounce beer is equal to one shot, though this varies depending on the specific ABVs of the liquor and the beer.
This rule of thumb applies to a 12-ounce beer with 5% ABV. Michelob, Budweiser, and Heineken are 5% ABV, but light beers, like Coors Light, Miller Lite, and Bud Light, have 4.2%.
The alcohol content directly impacts how much of a particular liquor you can safely consume. For example, a beer with 4% ABV will affect you less than a beer that's 8% ABV.
There are plenty of beers that contain far more than 5% ABV. For example, many craft beers tend to have higher alcohol percentages of 9% to 11% or even more.