The Alcohol Percentage Contents of Various Beverages

Consuming alcohol is legal in the majority of the U.S. for adults ages 21 and older. Alcohol is a beverage made from fermented grains or fruit, and it has been part of human civilization for at least 10,000 years. There are many kinds of alcohol from many cultures across the globe, although the types of alcohol are standardized to beer, wine, and liquor in the United States to help structure laws around drinking.

There are several subcategories to beer, wine, and liquor, and these subcategories help to define and regulate the production of specific beverages. Understanding the specifics of alcohol types and content helps manufacturers, retail salespeople, bartenders, and consumers determine how much alcohol is in one serving, and therefore how much is consumed.

How Alcohol Servings Are Measured

The type of alcohol consumed in alcoholic beverages is ethanol, typically produced by yeast during the fermentation process. While there are other types of alcohol – such as is opropyl or butyl alcohol – these are not safe for human consumption.

The amount of alcohol found in beer, wine, and spirits can vary a little based on how high the proof is, which is measured in the U.S. with alcohol by volume (ABV) percentages. Proof for alcohol is generally twice the percentage of alcohol listed. Serving sizes have been standardized for legal reasons to contain roughly 0.6 ounces of alcohol per serving.

Medically Reviewed

The Alcohol Percentage Contents of Various Beverages
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Written by:
Editorial Staff
Reviewed by:
Amanda Lautieri
Last updated on June 26, 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS
How Alcohol Servings Are Measured
Types of Alcohol

Alcohol Use Disorder in the United States
Consuming alcohol is legal in the majority of the U.S. for adults ages 21 and older. Alcohol is a beverage made from fermented grains or fruit, and it has been part of human civilization for at least 10,000 years. There are many kinds of alcohol from many cultures across the globe, although the types of alcohol are standardized to beer, wine, and liquor in the United States to help structure laws around drinking.

There are several subcategories to beer, wine, and liquor, and these subcategories help to define and regulate the production of specific beverages. Understanding the specifics of alcohol types and content helps manufacturers, retail salespeople, bartenders, and consumers determine how much alcohol is in one serving, and therefore how much is consumed.