Hanging out at a bar with friends or enjoying a game night with a few cold ones can seem harmless. However, if craft beer is your drink of choice, you might want to pay closer attention than you otherwise might. Unlike traditional light beers or common brands, craft beers often have a relatively high alcohol content.
This means your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) can rise faster when drinking craft beer than you might expect. Just a couple of rounds could put you dangerously close to the legal driving limit of 0.08% BAC. As such, you might want to explore why “drinking smarter” can help you enjoy yourself without unintended consequences.
Why craft beer can increase BAC faster than usual
Craft beers are known for their:
- Variety
- Unique flavors
- Higher alcohol content
While a standard American light beer typically contains around 4-5% Alcohol By Volume (ABV), craft beers frequently have ABVs ranging from 6-12%, and some even exceed 15%. Drinking a 12-ounce can of a 10% ABV craft beer is equivalent to nearly two or more standard beers in terms of alcohol content. This means that each sip of a craft beer has more of an effect on your BAC than a lighter beer would.
If you’re like most people, you likely assume that one beer is equivalent to one drink, but that’s not the case when it comes to craft brews. Drinking one pint of a high-ABV craft beer can push your BAC closer to the legal limit than you might think. For an average person, it might only take one or two strong craft beers to approach 0.08% BAC, depending on their individual tolerance and other physical factors.
Tips for drinking craft beer responsibly
Enjoying craft beer safely involves knowing your limits and pacing yourself. One tip you can leverage to keep your BAC in check is to explore lower ABV options. Many breweries offer lower-ABV craft beers or session beers that are specifically brewed for lighter, extended drinking. It can also help to drink water between beers to keep you hydrated and slow down your alcohol consumption. These strategies can significantly reduce your BAC buildup.
Suppose you get in DWI trouble because you didn’t realize how quickly your BAC can exceed the legal limit; it might feel as though you have no choice but to suffer the consequences as stipulated by Missouri DWI law. However, with the right legal support, there are other outcomes possible; instead of settling for a DWI conviction, rigorous criminal defense can potentially help to keep your record clean.
