People consume alcohol for different reasons: relaxation, celebration, stress release, or fun. While many experienced consumers know their beer consumption limit before they get drunk, newbies usually overdo it. So how many beers to get drunk?
It’s not as simple as giving you an answer, but to find out how many beers get you drunk, there are a few things to check.
Like;
How to Know You Are Drunk?
After having a beer, you are considered drunk if you feel incredibly relaxed, have jelly legs, and have impaired motor function.
However, if we are being scientific, if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds 0.08%, you are legally drunk.
Drunk people have slow reflexes, weak eye coordination, and weaker muscle grip.
Moreover, they’ll have difficulty grasping what is happening around them. They may also have less self-control, and since they feel good, they can’t focus on anything. This is why driving after consuming alcohol is illegal, and many people get into accidents.
On the other hand, even if your BAC is less than 0.08%, the law can still fine you. This also depends on your state of residence. So, let’s state that it is better not to drive after consuming alcohol.
How Many Beers will get you drunk?
On average, a healthy male weighing around 80-90 kg would require four to five beers in one hour to lose their senses. In contrast, a healthy female weighing 70–77 kg only requires two to four beers.
However, these results will differ if you drink a beer with a higher ABV (alcohol by volume). Drinking one beer an hour is better if you want to stay in your senses.
You can add another bottle if you feel no adverse effect. With time, you’ll know how many beers your body can handle. Also, check the ABV of every beer you drink to predict the alcohol quantity.
Factors That Determine Getting Drunk
- Weight, gender, body composition, and tolerance to alcohol can affect how quickly you can become drunk.
- The alcohol content of the beer and the rate at which it is consumed can also play a role.
- Whether a person has eaten before drinking can also affect how quickly they become drunk.
Factors to Consider Taking a Beer to Avoid Getting Drunk
While ABV is an essential factor, here are other things that can reduce or increase the alcohol effect on your body.
1. Weight
The heavier you are, the more beer you consume to get drunk.
For example, a person weighing 45 kg might not stay in senses after drinking two beers in one hour.
In contrast, a person weighing 70–90 kg would take double the amount of beer to get drunk.
However, remember that one beer is enough to make you dizzy, and your senses get slow after 0.02 BAC. So, after drinking one beer, you should give up on driving.
2. Empty Stomach
If you haven’t eaten anything for hours and are hungry, drinking beer will make you drunk in less time. If you want to stay focused after drinking a beer, fill your stomach first.
On the other hand, you can drink water with beer to reduce its effects. Since alcohol enters your bloodstream via your stomach, the BAC will slowly increase if your tummy has some food.
3. Height
People might not know, but your height can change the effects of alcohol. Tall people have a lengthier circulatory system, so the alcohol takes a long time to distribute in their blood.
The exact amount of alcohol will take lesser time to spread in a short person’s blood effectively.
4. Sex
Women with more fat and less water in their bodies require less beer to feel the effects. In comparison, men might take twice the amount of alcohol to get drunk.
5. Age
With age, your body will have less tolerance for alcohol. Even if you have been drinking it for ages, it will still take less time to show its effects. The reason is a decrease in muscle mass causes drunkenness much more quickly.
6. Medication
Medicine and alcohol don’t go hand in hand. Alcohol can nullify the effects of medicine or, in some cases, worsen them. Doctors don’t recommend drinking beer while you are on your medicine. You’ll lose your senses much more quickly if you drink beer with medicine. In addition, medicines can adversely affect the human body if mixed with alcohol, weakening motor skills.
7. Drink Size and Consistency
If you drink from a small glass or cup, it will take more beer to feel dizzy. Also, you won’t get drunk easily if you take breaks while drinking beer. We recommend drinking one beer per hour to stay relaxed and warm the whole night.
How To Calculate The Number of Beers To Get Drunk
Here is a simple way to calculate how much beer will get you drunk based on weight.
If you weigh 50 kg, you’ll only need two beers to feel dizzy. Weighing between 50–70 kg, you’ll need three beers in an hour to reach the critical limit. You’ll need four beers in an hour to get the 0.08% BAC if you weigh between 70–90 kg. Drink six beers in an hour if you weigh above 100 kg to reach the critical BAC.
Remember, with higher alcohol concentrations, these results might change. You should not drink a beer with more than 4% of ABV if you don’t want to get drunk quickly.
How many beers to get drunk on average?
Here’s a rough table of body weight and the number of beers it would take you to get drunk;
| Body Weight Range (kg) | Male (Number of Beers) | Female (Number of Beers) |
|---|---|---|
| 50-60 | 4-5 | 3-4 |
| 60-70 | 5-6 | 4-5 |
| 70-80 | 6-7 | 5-6 |
| 80-90 | 7-8 | 6-7 |
| 90-100 | 8-9 | 7-8 |
| 100-110 | 9-10 | 8-9 |
| 110-120 | 10-11 | 9-10 |
Note: This table assumes a ‘typical’ metabolism and should not be used as a strict guide. Factors such as drinking rate, as mentioned above, food intake, fatigue, and medication can all affect how quickly alcohol is metabolized. Never drink and drive, and always drink responsibly.
Blood Alcohol Concentration Table: And The Science of How Drunk You Are!
| BAC % | Description |
| 0.05% – 0.08% | Considered very high, it can lead to severe judgment, reaction time impairment, and a significant risk of accidents. |
| 0.08% – 0.10% | The legal limit for driving can significantly impair judgment and reaction time. |
| 0.10% – 0.15% | Considered very high, it can lead to severe impairment of judgment and reaction time and a significant risk of accidents. |
| +0.15% | Considered extremely high. It can lead to a complete loss of judgment and motor control and a significant risk of accidents and alcohol poisoning. |
Tips On How Not To Get Drunk Fast
Some people would like to stay in their senses after drinking beer. Here are some tips to help you enjoy beer longer and not get drunk so fast.
- Only drink a little beer in one hour; slowly drink from the cup and take your time. One beer per hour would bring the best results, and your body will easily counter its potent effects.
- Eat some snacks while drinking; dry fruits or tangy like lemon pie would be a good option.
- Drink plenty of water before you start drinking beer, and also aim to have a glass of water between beers. Staying hydrated will slow down how quickly you become intoxicated.
- Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. For example, have a glass of water or soda in between beers.
- Know your limits and stick to them. Everyone’s tolerance for alcohol is different, so don’t try to keep up with others.
- Watch your pace. Sip your drinks rather than chugging them. It takes 20-30 minutes for the effects of alcohol to kick in, so there’s no need to rush.
- Choose lower alcohol content beverages. Beers with a higher alcohol content will get you drunk faster.
- Don’t mix different types of alcohol. Stick to one type of alcohol; this will make it easier to keep track of how much you’re consuming.
- Stay active and engage in conversation or activities while drinking. This will keep your mind occupied and help prevent you from drinking too much too quickly.
- Listen to your body; If you feel tipsy and don’t want to feel more, it’s a good sign to stop drinking.
FAQ
What is blood alcohol level?
The blood alcohol level is a way to measure how much alcohol is in a person’s blood. It’s usually shown as a percentage, with 0% meaning no alcohol and 0.08% being the legal limit for driving in most places.
When are you considered legally drunk in the United States?
A person is legally drunk in the United States if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.8 and above.
Can one beer get you drunk?
While it’s technically possible to get drunk from just one beer, it’s not likely for most people. It all depends on things like your weight, your gender if you have a high tolerance for alcohol, the type of beer you’re drinking (like if it has a higher alcohol content), and even your state of mind or how fast you drink.
Most people wouldn’t get significantly drunk from just one beer. But if you’re not used to drinking, you might start to feel the effects of the alcohol.
Can two beers get you drunk?
You could get drunk from just two beers, but it depends on numerous factors, such as how much you weigh, how much you can handle, and how strong the beer is.
Let’s be honest; if you’re a lightweight and not used to drinking, two stronger beers (over 7-8% alcohol) might do the trick. But someone who can handle their alcohol might not get drunk from just two. You might not even realize they had even consumed beers. The key is both tolerances and body weight.
Does one beer get you buzzed?
Getting “buzzed” from one beer can be different for everyone. It depends on your weight, how much you’ve had to drink before, and how strong the beer is. Usually, one regular-sized can or bottle of beer that’s 5% alcohol should do the trick for some people. But for others, it might take more.
How many beers does a man or woman take to get drunk?
In general, for an average healthy male that weighs between 190 – 200 pounds (86 – 90 kg), it takes 4 – 5 beers in one hour to get drunk. The average healthy female weighing 160 – 170 pounds (72 – 77 kg) takes 2 – 4 beers in one hour.
How To Calculate The Number of Beers To Get Drunk?
There’s no exact way to figure out how many beers you need to drink to get drunk; it’s different for every person. Factors like how much you weigh, how much you can handle, and how strong the beer is all play a role.
A rough idea can be found at the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level. BAC is a measure of how much alcohol is in your bloodstream. In most places, the legal limit for driving is 0.08%. You can make a rough estimate by using a formula like (Number of beers *(% alcohol/0.789))/(Weight in Kg * r) where r is a gender constant (0.68 for men and 0.55 for women)
Is it normal to be drunk after two beers?
Feeling drunk after two beers is possible, but it depends on weight, tolerance, and alcohol content. For some people, two beers might not be enough to cause significant intoxication, while for others, it might.
How Long does it take to wear off the effects of being drunk?
The six hours rule of thumb is often used as a general estimate for how long it takes for alcohol to be metabolized by the body and for the individual to sober up. However, it is not a hard and fast rule, as people can feel the effects of alcohol for longer.
It’s important to know that it takes the body about an hour to metabolize a beer (12 oz. of beer, five oz. of wine, or 1.5 oz. of spirits), so if you four standard drinks within 2 hours, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) would reach 0.08%, the legal limit for driving in most countries.
What happens if you drink ten beers or more?
You’ll likely be pretty wasted if you drink ten beers or more. It can cause a lot of negative effects on your body and mind. You might have slurred speech, trouble walking straight, feel tired and sick to your stomach, and even pass out.
We all know drinking too much can lead to long-term health problems like liver disease, heart disease, and brain damage.
But let’s be honest; we have all done it and experienced the god of all hangovers the next day. Be responsible, drink to enjoy, not get drunk, and always know your limit.
Do women get drunk faster than men?
It’s a common misconception that women get intoxicated faster than men, but it’s not always true. Everyone’s body absorbs and metabolizes alcohol differently. On average, women tend to have more body fat and less water in their bodies than men. So, for the same amount of alcohol, a woman’s blood alcohol concentration will be higher, which can make them feel the effects of alcohol more quickly.
Women also tend to have less of an enzyme called Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH) in their stomachs which helps to break down alcohol, which means more alcohol enters the bloodstream. But it’s also important to remember that weight, drinking habits, recent meals, and medications can all affect how quickly someone gets drunk, and it’s not only limited to gender.
Can Non-Alcoholic Beers Get You Drunk?
Non-alcoholic beers have a low alcohol content, usually less than 0.5%. You would have to drink a ton of it to get drunk. It’s impossible to get drunk just from non-alcoholic beer alone. But still, drinking too much of it can cause problems like too many calories, getting dehydrated, or messing up your sleep patterns.
And if you’re also drinking regular alcohol, the non-alcoholic beer can still add to the overall amount of alcohol in your system. So, be smart and don’t overdo it.
What beer gets you drunk the fastest?
Beers with a higher alcohol content will get you drunk faster than beers with lower alcohol content. Generally, malt liquor and other high-alcohol beers have an alcohol content of around 7-8% or higher, while most beers have an alcohol content of around 5%.
What are the strongest beers in the world?
– Brewmeister’s “Armageddon” with an alcohol content of 65%.
– Brew Dog’s “The End of History” with an alcohol content of 55%.
– Schorschbräu’s “Schorschbock” series, with alcohol contents ranging from 57% to a high of 61%.
– Brew Dog’s “Sink the Bismarck” with an alcohol content of 41%.
– Struise Brouwers’ “Black Damnation VI – Messy” with an alcohol content of 39%.
Why do craft beers contain higher alcohol by volume (ABV) than lighter commercial beers?
Craft beers have more alcohol than regular beers like Bud Light or Coors. This is because craft brewers are more interested in making interesting and tasty beers rather than beers that are easy to drink a lot of.
Craft beers also use different ingredients and brewing methods to strengthen the beer, like using more malt, special yeast, or even aging the beer in a barrel. So, if you are drinking a craft beer, don’t be surprised if you don’t get drunk as quickly as with a regular beer.
Final Thoughts
How many beers to get drunk depends on a lot of things. Like how much you drink, how much you weigh, if you’re a man or a woman, if you can handle your alcohol, and even how you feel. The kind of alcohol you’re also drinking matters. Like if it’s got a higher alcohol percentage, you’ll feel it more.
And if you drink on an empty stomach or chug your drinks, you’ll feel it much faster. The bottom line, know your limits and drink responsibly. And don’t even think about getting behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking. It’s not only illegal, but it’s also dangerous. Nobody, especially not the law, will side with you if you get caught drunk driving.
Now that you know the average number of beers it will take to get you drunk. Remember drinking beer is fun as long as you keep things under control.
Only drink up to two to three beers in one hour to stay active and focused. Drinking four beers an hour generally gets you drunk, so take it slow and enjoy your beers.
Don’t just drink beers to get drunk. But if you do, let me have it that I have no sympathy for you the next day with your hangover; you have been warned!
Cheers!
References
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): “What is A Standard Drink?” [https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/what-standard-drink]
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): “Alcohol and Public Health FAQ” [https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm]
- University of Notre Dame, Indiana: “Blood Alcohol Concentration” [https://mcwell.nd.edu/your-well-being/physical-well-being/alcohol/blood-alcohol-concentration/]
- Brown University: “Alcohol and Your Body” [https://www.brown.edu/campus-life/health/services/promotion/alcohol-other-drugs-alcohol/alcohol-and-your-body]
- Mayo Clinic: “Alcohol use: Weighing risks and benefits” [https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551]
