# How to determin alcohol content in beer **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 2, 2000, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-determin-alcohol-content-in-beer/31754 "2000-09-02T05:07:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **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:** [September 2, 2000, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-determin-alcohol-content-in-beer/31754/1 "2000-09-02T05:07:06Z")
Many beer labels list the percentage of alcohol content in the product, but quite a few do not. I like to know how much bang for the buck I’m getting. Is there any method or device I can use to determine the the % of alcohol in a can or bottle of commercially sold beer? And why are brewers ALLOWED to list alcohol content if they wish? Why isn’t it MANDATORY?😕 ---
**Author:** ![Commander\_Fortune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Commander\_Fortune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Commander_Fortune)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2000, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-determin-alcohol-content-in-beer/31754/2 "2000-09-02T09:21:56Z")
For when you really have to know… [http://www.tcfb.com/alcohol/sghydrometeralcohol.htm](http://www.tcfb.com/alcohol/sghydrometeralcohol.htm) You can measure alcohol content using a hydrometer to find the specific gravity. They are relatively inexpensive and you can pick one up at a brewing supply store. ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2000, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-determin-alcohol-content-in-beer/31754/3 "2000-09-02T12:35:01Z")
Where I’m from it is mandatory to have the alcohol content stated on the product. BTW this isssue is mentioned in a [column](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a950901.html) featured this week. As **Commander Fortune** says a hydrometer will do the trick. I understand that a “light” beer in the US refers to one low in calories. In Australia light beers are low alcohol. This would make light beers heavier than heavy (full-strength) beer. picmr ---
**Author:** ![Adolph\_Peewee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@Adolph\_Peewee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Adolph_Peewee)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2000, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-determin-alcohol-content-in-beer/31754/4 "2000-09-02T13:11:34Z")
yes, in the land of Oz…it is mandatory for alcohol packaging to state the Alcohol content. But I have been doing some thinking…and it hurt…but I reckon the best way to work out Alcohol content is to just keep going to the one watering hole and on the first night, take someone along who is NOT going to drink. (yes…so you can also have a free taxi home!) get them to record how many drinks it takes to get you absolutely sloshed. all you need to do then is add up the total amount of fluid consumed, divided by how many bottles you used…will give you a rough idea of how many drinks you can safely have providing you drink the same brand forever and a day! this is a bit cheaper than trying to work a hydrometer and testing for SG…besides…who’d be able to read it if they’re pissed…NOT ME!! ---
**Author:** ![TomH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/90db22/32.png) [@TomH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TomH)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2000, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-determin-alcohol-content-in-beer/31754/5 "2000-09-02T13:24:10Z")
According to Commander Fortune’s link, you need to use the hydrometer before and after fermentation to work out the ABV, so presumably it’s no use with bottled beer? It’s mandatory to list the ABV in the EU as well. I’m surprised that it isn’t in the US, given the generally higher level of prissyness about alcohol over there. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2000, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-determin-alcohol-content-in-beer/31754/6 "2000-09-02T14:58:22Z")
Cecil wrote a little about this under his topic ‘ice beer’. SA triple ale somes in at 17%. Haven’t found it but, hey, whoa. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2000, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-determin-alcohol-content-in-beer/31754/7 "2000-09-02T15:30:15Z")
You might try looking at this table of [Beer Alcohol and Calories](http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/alcohol/alcohol_info1.shtml) which lists (surprise!) the alcohol and calorie content of 150 brands of beer. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2000, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-determin-alcohol-content-in-beer/31754/8 "2000-09-02T15:53:02Z")
> [@](#): > > SA triple ale somes in at 17%. Haven’t found it but, hey, whoa. That’s Sam Adams Triple Bok. It’s actually more of a barleywine than a beer, though some people would suggest that it’s a travesty of a barleywine, as well. Some people have other descriptions of it entirely. You are intended to drink it as you would port. Ok, as I would port what? \ … Here’s another content list by brand. Ther’s a lot of these about: > **[TapRm | Drink in the Future - Amazing Seltzers & Beers Delivered](https://taprm.com/)** > > TapRm delivers the world's newest hard seltzers, kombuchas, teas, ciders and beers making a splash in New York. Same day delivery available in NYC. We bring you drinks that push the boundaries in brand, flavor, style, and drink innovation, usually... ---
**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:** [September 2, 2000, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-determin-alcohol-content-in-beer/31754/9 "2000-09-02T16:14:48Z")
I home brew on occassion, so I know a hydrometer is useless for testing commercial beer. Thanks for the links, but some of the cheap shit I drink isn’t listed. Samual Adams Triple is illegal in several states, which may be why some of you can’t find it. ---
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-determin-alcohol-content-in-beer/31754/10 "2000-09-03T00:06:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by yabob \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > SA triple ale somes in at 17%. Haven’t found it but, hey, whoa. > > That’s Sam Adams Triple Bok. It’s actually more of a barleywine than a beer, though some people would suggest that it’s a travesty of a barleywine, as well. \*\* barleywine IS a style of beer…much like dobblebock, pilsner or Stout…the “wine” portion of the name refers to the relatively high level of alcohol and low carbonation, but a barleywine is still a beer ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-determin-alcohol-content-in-beer/31754/11 "2000-09-03T04:32:59Z")
In Virginia, Bardo’s award-winning high-test couldn’t be sold as a “beer”. It was a barleywine, according to the purveyors. But this is similar to “malt liquors”, which are also beers, more or less.