what is a standard beer size

12 ounces of regular beer, which is usually about 5% alcohol. 5 ounces of wine, which is typically about 12% alcohol. 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, which is about 40% alcohol.

Alcohol basics: let’s define a drink

Decisions about substance use are personal. It’s your right and responsibility to make decisions for yourself regarding if, how often, and how much you drink. In order to make an informed decision, however, its important you know whats a typical drink looks like and the implications of drink size and alcohol content on how it impacts your body.

Many people are surprised to learn what counts as a standard drink. A standard drink contains ½ ounce of pure alcohol and the body can metabolize about one standard drink per hour. In the United States, one “standard” drink (or one alcoholic drink equivalent) contains roughly 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is found in:

• 12 ounces of regular beer: about 5% alcohol by volume (ABV)
• 5 ounces of wine: about 12% ABV
• 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor (vodka, rum, tequila, etc): about 40% ABV
• 1 ounce of 100-proof liquor: about 50% ABV

What’s not always clear, however, is exactly what those sizes mean. That’s why we put together this handy infographic to clarify the colloquialisms of beer sizes. Now you won’t be confused the next time someone asks you to bring a “howler” to a bottle share. (No one calls it that, by the way.)

The word “nip” harkens back to the 17th and 18th centuries, when “nipperkin” was abbreviated to “nip,” meaning a small measure of spirits, usually a half-pint or less. Popularized by brands like Rolling Rock, Miller High Life, and Coronita, you can still find this cute little vessel today, often served in a bucket of ice.

While large-format wine bottles get cool Biblical names like Jeroboam, Methuselah, and Balthazar, beer bottles and cans tend to have more approachable monikers. From tallboys to bombers to nips, beers of all sizes are, for the most part, easy enough to say aloud without risk of embarrassment.

Short, stout, and, well, stubby, this bottle (also called a “steinie,” à la “beer stein”) is similar to a standard 12-oz bottle with a slightly smaller neck. Coors Banquet revived its 1936-vintage stubby bottle in 2013; Budweiser released a limited-edition amber lager, Budweiser 1933 Repeal Reserve, in 2017; and Miller Lite brought back its 1975 steinie in 2015.

Does 1 Beer = 1 Glass of Wine = 1 Shot of Hard Liquor? The Math of a Standard Drink

FAQ

What size beer is a standard drink?

What size are beer bottles in the US?

Is 375ml of beer a standard drink?

How many ounces is a regular beer can?

What is a standard size beer?

The DGA defined a “standard-size drink” as, “Twelve ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, and 1 1/2 ounces of distilled spirits contain about equal alcohol.” Why the government went back to 12 ounces wasn’t explained, but it matched the bottle and can size of most beer sold at the time. Today, the tides are turning.

What size beer bottle should I buy?

First up, we have the standard pint (or imperial) pint. The standard pint is one of the most commonly used sizes of beer bottles around today and is generally considered to be the perfect size for serving a single drink. It has a capacity of 16 fluid ounces, making it ideal for drinking straight from the bottle.

What is a standard US bottle for beer?

The ‘standard US bottle’ for beer is a longneck bottle often referred to as a ‘regular’ or ‘industry standard’ bottle. It typically holds 12 fl oz, which is approximately 355ml. This is one of the most common sizes for bottled beer in the United States and is recognized by its slender neck and body.

What is a standard beer glass size?

This is a standard serving size for certain beverages in the U.K. and measures 284ml, which is approximately 9.60 fl oz. The ‘middy’ is an Australian beer glass size, measuring 285ml, which is approximately 9.63 fl oz. It’s a popular serving size in some states.