• 💊 OTHER DRUGS 💊 Welcome Guest
    Posting Rules Bluelight Rules
    Notable Threads 1 Notable Threads 2
    Dangerous Combos Addiction Support
    Emergency Services Benzo Guide v.1
    Addiction Stories Scary Case Studies
    Biology, Pharmacology & Drugs 101
  • Select Your Topic Then Scroll Down
    Alcohol Bupe Benzos
    Cocaine Heroin Opioids
    RCs Stimulants Misc
    Harm Reduction All Topics Gabapentinoids
    Tired of your habit? Struggling to cope?
    Want to regain control or get sober?
    Visit our Recovery Support Forums

Alcohol Why does beer get you so much more drunk than hard liquor? Is it the carbonation?

B

burn out

Bluelighter
Joined
Nov 11, 2006
Messages
7,974
Location
Michigan
I used to drink exclusively PBR so I am well acquainted with its effects, however more recently I have switched to drinking exclusively whiskey.

Now I normally drink 2-4 shots of whiskey and thats it. I don't get much effects from it, just a slight buzz which doesn't last that long. However, a couple of days ago I ran out of whiskey so I decided to drink some beer. I drank 2 beers and got more of an effect than I typically get from 4 shots of whiskey. Can anyone explain this? it seems to defy common sense. Not only is there double the alcohol in 4 shots of whsikey vs 2 beers but it is also a lot more concentrated. WHy does beer seem to give a greater effect for me and me ex?

My ex-girlfriend used to tell me this was true for her all the time and I never believed her until now, but she would tell me that 4 or 5 beers would get her so incredibly drunk whereas she could stomach 5 shots of vodka with significantly less effect.
 
Last edited:
Beer also has carbohydrates in it & stuff like flavoring compounds from hops, and provides a different experience than whiskey, which you are accustomed to. A sort of tolerance.

A can of PBR has 355ml (12 oz) x 4.74% ABV = 16.8 mL of ethanol in it.
A single shot of whisky or vodka is 44 mL (1.5 oz) x 40% ABV = 17.7 mL of ethanol. If you don't fill your shot glass all the way this could change.
 
^ and if you slam out the fifth like i used to do? what then? i to (when i drank, its been 2 months) used to kill a pint in a night but i cant even get past corona #4 without feeling drunk and the hangover is horrible the next day. i can drink the equivalent or more to 4 beers and have no hangover, if its liquor that is. beer sucks ass doe.
 
I dunno, I get drunk off of liquor much more easily... but I pay very little attention to whether or not I'm pouring exactly 44mL into my solo cup to mix with.
 
I think this is more something unique to you, then something that just happens.. I mean, I'm sure it happens for other people too. Different kinds of alcohol give you slightly different feelings, especially when you've been drinking one particular thing for a while, then switch to something else.

I think most people would say they feel they get more fucked up off of hard liquor. But, your blood alcohol level is your blood alcohol level, so it's really just how you perceive it and the way you drink, more than what you drink.
 
I tend to feel more intoxicated from hard liquor than beer.

I usually drink beer. It's about what you're accustomed to and how exactly you drink it.
 
Yea it shouldnt really. I like beer in concept because it can provide an alcohol dose while also providing some hydration to counter it. 6-12 wont leave me with a hangover the next day.

The problem for me howefer is I cannot cross that line with beer from "not drunk enough and getting irritated and bloated" to feeling good, nicely drunk. Around 4 beers on an empty stomach is a good place for me for about a while but after it cant keep the dose high enough or the bloating from much liquid outweights the high and it starts being shit. Also at some point you goto eat and the drop in intoxication plus the stomach bloat from eating destory any alcohol high beer can provide, getting it back to the irritation point.
 
A light carb content Beer with an acl content of like 16% would be perfect to cover my issues. Wine matches that requirement well but its not beer. Some craft beer is like that though and moving soon to a place with a beelion different types of great 15% microbew craft beer. Cant wait. I actually have to get used to not chugging those beers though, else they destroy you completely.
 
I'd say you're in the minority because a beer can never compare to shots! I can pound back Yuengling's like there's no tomorrow but after a few shots of vodka/tequila I am gooone...
 
Beer usually is a good time for me. Hard liquor usually means pissed off friends, and court dates.
 
Last edited:
Yeah I like a good beer every once in a while for the taste, but never for the buzz. My stomach starts hurting and I get all full from all the beer, way before I could drink enough to get drunk. That's why I like bourbon. ;)
 
Carbonization of Alcohol does Indeed make it have a Quicker-Onset and Effect with a Higher-Peak Plasma Blood-Alcohol Levels son it's a Fact.
 
Last edited:
I drink high ABV ales all the time, 6.5-9% alc. The classic American Pilseners don't do it for me, and the buzz is much nicer than hard liquor IMO...Sometimes, I don't feel as drunk from hard liquor, but my impaired coordination and BA level would definitely say otherwise!

Also, with beer, it takes time to drink...so you're feeling the beer you're drinking by the time you get to the end of it..With shots, there's some lag time between the time you do the shot and when you feel it...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top