Drinking beer is a privilege. Drinking beer intelligently is an art.
Quality, not quantity, is what beer should be all about. Homebrewing is an endeavor that most of us pursue because we enjoy the flavor of beer and enjoy the process as a hobby and as an opportunity to improve the quality of our lives.
As homebrewers, we each must take individual responsibility for our behavior when consuming beer as an alcoholic beverage. Some may consider homebrewing a right, while others consider it a privilege. Regardless, unless we take it upon ourselves to exercise individual responsibility, then choices may be made by others. Part of the freedom of choice and of brewing one’s beer is taking on this important responsibility. Savor the flavor and do so responsibly is the policy of the Association of Brewers and its American Homebrewers Association division.
Drinking any amount of alcohol can impair your ability to perform certain tasks. Driving is one of them. Chemical tests can determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). BAC is a helpful indication of your impairment. For example, five parts of alcohol in 10,000 parts of blood is shown as 0.05 percent BAC.
In many states, a driver of an automobile with a BAC between 0.05 and 0.09 percent is presumed to be driving while his or her ability to drive is impaired (DWAI). A driver with a BAC of 0.10 percent or more is presumed to be driving under the influence (DUI). Laws and BAC limits change often and vary from state to state. Both DWAI and DUI convictions may mean mandatory penalties, sometimes including a jail term, a fine, public service and possibly surrender of one’s driving license.
The alcohol concentration in your body depends on several factors, some of which are:
- Your weight (see chart in Know Your Limit).
- The amount of food in your stomach. Food postpones alcohol absorption but will not keep you from increasing BAC, though the peak level may be less as your body begins to metabolize alcohol already in your blood. Fats and proteins delay alcohol uptake by the body more than when carbohydrates are ingested.
- The concentration of alcohol in the beverage you are consuming.
- The length of time during which you consume alcohol (see chart).
- The period of time since your last drink. It takes about one hour for your body to metabolize the alcohol in 12 ounces of 3½ to 4½ percent alcohol beer.
- The ability of your digestive system to produce enzymes that help break down and metabolize alcohol.
Be aware that the degree of intoxication you may develop is not a matter of how much of an alcohol-containing beverage you drink, but rather, how much alcohol you drink. One type of drink is often not equal to another kind of drink. Twelve ounces (355 ml.) of a beer that’s 4 percent alcohol by volume contains 0.48 fluid ounces (14.2 ml.) of pure alcohol. A 6-ounce (178-ml.) serving of wine that’s 12 percent alcohol by volume contains 0.72 fluid ounces (21.4 ml.) of pure alcohol. One ounce of 80 proof (40 percent) distilled liquor mixed with any mixer contains 0.40 fluid ounces (11.9 ml.) of pure alcohol. These differences are very significant, and variation from the above can have a dramatic effect on how well you will be able to control the intoxicating effect of alcohol-containing beverages.
A specialty strong beer containing 6 percent alcohol by volume will have 50 percent more alcohol than a 4 percent beer. Studies have been made implying that, for example, two beers at 6 percent will increase the potential for higher peak BAC more so than if three beers at 4 percent were drunk during the same period.9
Keep in mind that the concentration of alcohol in your drink has an influence on how quickly you will feel the effects of alcohol. A 1-ounce (30-ml.) shot of 80 proof liquor will affect you more quickly than when combined with 11 ounces (327 ml.) of a mixer.
There are several scales of proof for liquor. The American scale defines 100 percent alcohol as 200 proof, thus 80 proof would be 40 percent alcohol. There is a British scale that defines 100 percent alcohol as 175 proof, thus 80 proof would be 45 percent alcohol. A Canadian scale defines 100 percent alcohol as 75 overproof. And if all this were not confusing enough, there is a French scale that defines 100 percent alcohol as 100 proof.
The alcoholic content of beer is not normally indicated in terms of the proof scale, but keep these scales in mind when discussing alcohol by volume of beer and proof of distilled spirits. Pacing yourself with a 12-ounce (355-ml.) bottle of beer can be done.
Your life and the lives of others depend on it.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS
Note: This blood alcohol concentration (BAC) chart is only a guide and not sufficiently accurate to be considered legal evidence. The figures you calculate are averages. Individuals may vary somewhat in their personal alcohol tolerance. Food in the stomach slows the rate of absorption. Medication, health, and psychological conditions are also influencing factors.