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Potency of Alcohol
The potency of alcohol is determined by how much ethanol (alcohol) is present in the drink. Since the 18th century the standard measure of potency has been an English standard called a “Proof”. This rubric dictates that a measure of 100 Proof contains 57.15% ethanol. A commonly used ratio for determining Proof is 7:4, meaning that 70 Proof contains 40% alcohol. In the United States, many people estimate the alcoholic content of a drink by simply dividing the indicated Proof in half.
The term “drink” is defined as .6 fluid ounces of pure alcohol. Beer, Wine and Liquor contain very different amounts of alcohol. In order to standardize the dosing of alcohol, these substances are dispensed in different containers. One 12 oz beer contains the same amount of alcohol as one 5 oz glass of wine or one 1.5 oz shot of liquor. These are actually averages. In practice:
- Beer contains from 3 to 7% alcohol.
- Table Wine contains from about 8 to 13% alcohol.
- Fortified Wine contains up to 20% alcohol.
- Hard liquors contain between 40 to 95% alcohol.
