Popularity of Specialty Beers Increases Chance of a DUI Conviction

(PRLEAP.COM) Beer is one of the most popular beverages across the globe; in fact, only water and tea are consumed in greater quantities. The average beer consumer in America drinks 33 gallons of beer each year, and 42% of Americans report that among all types of alcohol, beer is their first beverage of choice. But, despite its popularity, there is a great deal of misinformation on beer and how it can affect a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle.

Many American beer drinkers incorrectly believe that if they consume beer rather than "hard liquor," it is unlikely that they will become intoxicated. Unfortunately, most people who are charged with driving under the influence (DUI) consume beer before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. They fail to realize that an average 12-ounce beer contains roughly the same alcohol content as is found in a standard "highball", which contains one "shot" (1.5 ounce) of 80-proof distilled liquor. In fact, a 12-ounce beer may also contain more alcohol than a standard 5-ounce serving of red or white wine.

The alcohol content in beer varies around the world. In the United States, the average beer contains approximately 4.3% ABV (alcohol by volume). The alcohol content in light beers can range from 3.5% to 4.3%, while regular beers vary from 4.2% to 5.1%. Even the non-alcoholic beers sold in America can contain a small amount of alcohol-typically under 0.5% ABV.

Because of the rise of popularity in specialty beers, some beer may contain even greater alcohol content than standard American beers. For example, Sam Adams Double Bock has 8.5% ABV and Sierra Nevada Bigfoot has 9.9%. Sam Adams Triple Bock contains 17.5% ethanol. This means that a person who drinks a standard 12-ounce bottle of high-alcohol content beer can become intoxicated two to four times as fast as a person who drinks a 12-ounce American beer with average alcohol content; however, many of these specialty beers come in larger containers such as pints or half liters, increasing the potential for intoxication.

Veteran DUI defense attorney William C. Head of Atlanta advises the drinking public, "When consuming specialty beers, be aware of plus-sized containers, such as pints or half liters. Consuming higher alcohol-content liquors, fortified wines, or high-alcohol content vanity beers rather than the standard-sized and standard-potency alcoholic beverages can double your expected blood alcohol content. So, if you are consuming specialty alcohol beverages, exercise caution and read the labels before assuming that you can drive after having your standard number of drinks over the course of an evening."

About William C. Head

William C. Head is a nationally-known, 35 year veteran of defending accused impaired drivers in DUI-DWI cases. He is also the author of several books on DUI defense. Mr. Head’s law office is located in Atlanta, GA.

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