# Brewery samples: full strength or 3.2? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 4, 2014, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brewery-samples-full-strength-or-3-2/692352 "2014-07-04T15:53:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brewery-samples-full-strength-or-3-2/692352/1 "2014-07-04T15:53:07Z")
The last time I was at Anheuser Busch in St. Louis there were no limits on the samples. I saw a guy drink 8 pints in about an hour. Unfortunately the brisket I’d eaten at Pappys wasn’t sitting right so I was unable to take anyone to school. Which got me thinking. I wonder if for liability reasons breweries serve a reduced alcohol version,especially when they’re giving unlimited samples. I’ve never tasted any difference at any brewery I’ve been to, so the answer is probably no. Just wondering though. ---
**Author:** ![Satellite\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Satellite\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satellite_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brewery-samples-full-strength-or-3-2/692352/2 "2014-07-04T16:07:07Z")
To offer a ‘reduced alcohol content’ beer, they’d have to reformulate it, and brew a batch specifically for that event. Also, this batch would be different from their usual offerings. In my mind, it just wouldn’t make sense to offer samples of a beer that’s not even representative of what it’s meant to represent. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brewery-samples-full-strength-or-3-2/692352/3 "2014-07-04T18:42:56Z")
If they do, I would think it would be more for legal reasons, than liability. Most states have entirely different licensure rules, for establishments serving under-beer and over-beer. It might be impossible in that state to get a license to serve full-strength beer, or to offer it for consumption at a price deviating from the state control board/s stipulations. If the guy drank 8 pints of 3.2 in an hour, he’s legally intoxicated. That’s 3 ounces of alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brewery-samples-full-strength-or-3-2/692352/4 "2014-07-04T19:54:58Z")
Note that 3.2 point beer is alcohol by **weight**. That’s roughly 4.0% alcohol by **volume** , which is the main measurement labeled currently by 99% of brands. In other words, 0.2% weaker than a Coors Light or Guinness Draught. As said, most breweries not in cultural wastelands (:)) don’t even make a 3.2 formulation. And I’m not sure they wouldn’t cut you off. They expect a growler purchase at least in the end. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brewery-samples-full-strength-or-3-2/692352/5 "2014-07-04T20:28:21Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > It might be impossible in that state to get a license to serve full-strength beer. In Missouri? Not likely. > [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > As said, most breweries not in cultural wastelands (:)) don’t even make a 3.2 formulation. And I’m not sure they wouldn’t cut you off. They expect a growler purchase at least in the end. I only used “3.2” as a generic term for lower alcohol. IIRC they were not selling growlers or any other carry outs at AB.