A Comparison of Equal Alcohol Doses of Beer and
101 Proof Whiskey on Eleven Human Test Subjects
1
M.E. Dennis, III, 2J.M. Cowan, Jr., and 3L.F. Smith
1
2
Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas. Texas Department of Public Safety, Austin,
3
Texas, and Texas Department of Public Safety, Waco, Texas
Keywords
Alcohol, beer, breath, Intoxilyzer, whiskey
Abstract
Eleven non-alcoholic subjects gave written informed consent. Seven men (age 23-52) and four
women (age 26-44) were hydrostatically weighed to determine their % body fat and lean body
weight. Female subjects on average had a higher % body fat 23.5% (range 18.6-30.0%) than
males 16.9% (range 7.5-30.2%). Each subject fasted for at least 10 hrs. then received an oral
dose of alcohol at 1.23 g/kg of lean body weight to achieve the intended alcohol concentration of
approximately 0.11. On day one beer, containing approximately 5% ethanol by volume, was
consumed and on day two 101 proof whiskey mixed with a carbonated beverage was consumed.
The drinks were consumed over 2 hr. and 45 min. in three 45-min. drinking periods. Each
drinking period was followed by a 15-min. deprivation period and breath alcohol measurements
were conducted. After drinking ended, testing continued in 20-min. intervals until each subject's
alcohol concentration returned to 0.000. All alcohol analyses were conducted on the Intoxilyzer
5000® and reported as g/210 L. While there were significant individual subject differences in
both women and men in peak alcohol concentrations between beer and whiskey, the differences
between the average peak alcohol concentrations between women and men, and beer and
whiskey were insignificant. Female subjects had a higher average rate of elimination after
consuming beer 0.0196 (range 0.0168-0.0208) than male subjects 0.0187 (range 0.0146-0.0203).
Female subjects had a higher average rate of elimination after consuming whiskey 0.0195 (range
0.0170-0.0216) than male subjects 0.0184 (range 0.0155-0.0247). Female subjects had a higher
combined average rate of elimination for both beverages 0.0195 (range 0.0169-0.0212) than
male subjects 0.0186 (range 0.0151-0.0225). Overall, the average rate of elimination was 0.190
(range 0.0146-0.208) after consuming beer, 0.0188 (range 0.0155-0.0247) after consuming
whiskey, and 0.0189 (range 0.0151-0.225) for the combined average for both beverages.
Introduction
Peer reviewed scientific research dealing with alcohol concentration after beer consumption in
human test subjects is rare. Most alcohol (in this paper the unmodified term alcohol means
ethanol) research studies utilize beverages containing a higher alcohol concentration than beer.
These studies tend to have relatively short drinking times, usually an hour or less, when
compared to social drinking situations that generally last several hours (1 & 2). The shorter
drinking time allows the researchers to reduce some of the variables inherent in any drinking
study and also reduce the total time needed to complete the research. The quantity of beer that
must be consumed in order to obtain an alcohol concentration in the 0.10 – 0.11 range requires a
longer drinking time for most test subjects.
Alcohol is readily absorbed into the body from the digestive system and then rapidly distributed
throughout the various body tissues in direct proportion to the water content of each tissue (3).
Since adipose tissue contains very little water, the volume of distribution for alcohol is
proportional to the lean body mass. On average, women have more adipose tissue than men and
consequently have a smaller volume of distribution. Due to their smaller volume of distribution,
when men and women are administered the same dose of alcohol on a per kg of total body
weight, the women, on average, achieve a higher peak alcohol concentration (4). However,
when men and women are administered the same dose of alcohol on a per kg of lean body
weight, there is no difference in the peak alcohol concentration of women and men (5).
Since the active intoxicating ingredient in all alcoholic beverages is ethanol, there should be little
or no difference between the results of a study that utilizes beer rather than beverages containing
a higher alcohol concentration, such as whiskey, if an equal weight of ethanol is consumed in an
equal amount of time. To test this hypothesis the Center for Alcohol and Drug Education
Studies at Texas A&M University and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted a study
comparing equal alcohol doses of beer to 101 proof whiskey in eleven human drinking subjects.
The need to have the hypothesis confirmed is heightened by the fact that questionnaires,
completed by persons who are required to attend alcohol awareness classes after having been
convicted of driving while intoxicated and analyzed by the Center for Alcohol and Drug
Education Studies at Texas A&M University, indicate over 80% of all persons arrested for
driving while intoxicated claim to have consumed only beer (6). To enhance the relevance of
this study, the alcoholic beverages were consumed over a two hour and 45 minute time period, a
time period more consistent with social drinking. All subjects drank beer containing
approximately 5% ethanol by volume, on the first day of the study and 101 proof whiskey mixed
with a carbonated beverage on the second day of the study.
Methods
Eleven non-alcoholic subjects gave written informed consent. Seven men (age 23-52) and four
women (age 26-44) were hydrostatically weighed to determine their percentage of body fat and
lean body weight. Each subject fasted for at least 10 hrs. Prior to the administration of alcohol,
all subjects were tested to ensure that their alcohol concentrations were 0.000. All analyses were
conducted using an Intoxilyzer 5000® (CMI/MPD, Inc., Owensboro, KY) and reported as g/210
L. The subjects were given a total dose of alcohol at 1.23 g/kg of lean body weight to achieve
the intended alcohol concentration of approximately 0.11. The subjects drank over 2 hrs and 45
min. in three 45-min. drinking periods. An equal quantity of alcohol was consumed in each of
the 45-min. drinking periods. At the end of each 45-min. drinking period, the subjects
underwent a 15-min. deprivation period, to ensure that no residual or mouth alcohol was present
(7 & 8), and were then tested to determine their alcohol concentration. After completion of the
three drinking and testing periods, testing continued in 20-min. intervals until each subject's
alcohol concentration returned to 0.000. Beer, containing approximately 5% ethanol by vol.
(Budweiser®, Miller Highlife®, and/or Old Milwaukee®) (9), was consumed on day one and 101
proof whiskey (Wild Turkey 101®) mixed with a carbonated beverage was consumed on day
two. The mixed drinks were served in nine-ounce glasses filled with ice. Each drink contained
1¼ ounce of whiskey and enough carbonated beverage to fill the glass. Partial drinks, needed to
give the subjects the required dosage, were mixed in the same proportion.
Results
For both beer and whiskey, the breath alcohol sample taken three hours after the beginning of
drinking, 15 minutes after the third 45-minute drinking period, was the highest or “peak” alcohol
concentration produced by each of the subjects tested in this study. Female subjects on average
reached a slightly higher peak alcohol concentration after consuming beer (0.1143, range 0.0990.131) than male subjects (0.1127, range 0.104 -0.129). Female subjects on average reached a
slightly higher peak alcohol concentration after consuming whiskey (0.1143, range 0.103-0.134)
than male subjects (0.1107, range 0.092-0.125). The female subjects reached a slightly higher
overall average peak alcohol concentration (0.1143, range 0.105-0.121) than male subjects
(0.1117, range 0.100-0.122). Overall, the average peak alcohol concentration was 0.1133 (range
0.099-0.131) after consuming beer, 0.1120 (range 0.092-0.134) after consuming whiskey, and
(0.1126 range 0.100-0.122) for the combined average of both beverages. See Tables 1-3.
Female subjects had a higher average % body fat 23.5% (range 18.6-30.0%) than male subjects
16.9% (range 7.5-30.2%). Overall, the average % body fat was 19.3 % (range 7.5-30.2).
Research at the University of Texas at Austin indicates the average %fat for men is 15-18% and
23-26% for women (10). The average % fat of the subjects tested in this study fall within these
norms. Female subjects had a lower average lean body weight 46.0 kg (range 38.5-66.8) than
male subjects 66.8 kg (range 48.3-81.1). Overall, the average lean body weight was 59.3 kg
(range 38.5-81.1). See Tables 4-6.
Female subjects had a higher average rate of elimination after consuming beer 0.0196 (range
0.0168-0.0208) than male subjects 0.0187 (range 0.0146-0.0203). Female subjects had a higher
average rate of elimination after consuming whiskey 0.0195 (range 0.0170-0.0216) than male
subjects 0.0184 (range 0.0155- 0.0247). Female subjects had a higher combined average rate of
elimination for both beverages 0.0195 (range 0.0169- 0.0212) than male subjects 0.0186 (range
0.0151-0.0225). Overall, the average rate of elimination was 0.190 (range 0.0146-0.208) after
consuming beer, 0.0188 (range 0.0155-0.0247) after consuming whiskey, and 0.0189 (range
0.0151-0.225) for the combined average for both beverages. See Tables 4-6.
Table 1: Peak alcohol concentrations for women subjects after consuming beer and whiskey.
Women
1
4
8
9
Avg
Std Dev
Beer-Peak EtOH
0.131
0.099
0.108
0.119
0.1143
0.01384
Whiskey-Peak EtOH
0.110
0.110
0.134
0.103
0.1143
0.01357
Avg.-Peak EtOH
0.121
0.105
0.121
0.111
0.1143
0.00796
Diff.-Peak EtOH
0.021
-0.011
-0.026
0.016
0.0000
0.02232
Table 2: Peak alcohol concentrations for men subjects after consuming beer and whiskey.
Men
2
Beer-Peak EtOH
0.117
Whiskey-Peak EtOH
0.124
Avg.-Peak EtOH
0.121
Diff.-Peak EtOH
-0.007
3
5
6
7
10
11
Avg
Std Dev
0.119
0.112
0.100
0.129
0.104
0.108
0.1127
0.00986
0.125
0.119
0.106
0.112
0.097
0.092
0.1107
0.01298
0.122
0.116
0.103
0.121
0.101
0.100
0.1117
0.01011
-0.006
-0.007
-0.006
0.017
0.007
0.016
0.0020
0.01108
Table 3: Peak alcohol concentrations for all subjects after consuming beer and whiskey.
Subject
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Avg
Std Dev
Beer-Peak EtOH
0.131
0.117
0.119
0.099
0.112
0.100
0.129
0.108
0.119
0.104
0.108
0.1133
0.01079
Whiskey-Peak EtOH
0.110
0.124
0.125
0.110
0.119
0.106
0.112
0.134
0.103
0.097
0.092
0.1120
0.01263
Avg.-Peak EtOH
0.121
0.121
0.122
0.105
0.116
0.103
0.121
0.121
0.111
0.101
0.100
0.1126
0.00906
Diff.-Peak EtOH
0.021
-0.007
-0.006
-0.011
-0.007
-0.006
0.017
-0.026
0.016
0.007
0.016
0.0013
0.01497
Table 4: Height, weight, % body fat, lean weight and grams of ethanol consumed along with
elimination rates for women subjects after consuming beer and whiskey.
Women
1
4
8
9
Avg
Std Dev
Ht. Wt.
(in.) (kg)
64
65.5
64
77.7
61
47.7
63
52.7
63.0 60.9
1.41 13.48
% Lean wt. EtOH
fat
(kg)
(g)
26.1
48.4
59.4
30.0
54.4
66.8
19.4
38.5
47.3
18.6
42.9
52.7
23.5
46.0
56.6
5.47
6.89
8.44
Beer
elim. rate
0.0201
0.0168
0.0208
0.0206
0.0196
0.00187
Whiskey
elim. rate
0.0180
0.0170
0.0216
0.0212
0.0195
0.00229
Overall
elim. rate
0.0191
0.0169
0.0212
0.0209
0.0195
0.00198
Table 5: Height, weight, % body fat, lean weight and grams of ethanol consumed along with
elimination rates for men subjects after consuming beer and whiskey.
Men
2
3
5
6
7
10
11
Avg
Std Dev
Ht. Wt.
(in.) (kg)
74
82.7
72
91.4
63
58.2
73
98.6
70
65.5
66
80.0
66
91.8
69.1 81.2
4.18 14.73
% Lean wt. EtOH
fat
(kg)
(g)
13.6
71.5
87.8
11.2
81.1
99.7
17.0
48.3
59.3
27.4
71.6
88.0
7.5
60.5
74.4
11.6
70.7
86.9
30.2
64.1
78.7
16.9
66.8
82.1
8.63 10.44
8.63
Beer
elim. rate
0.0190
0.0203
0.0203
0.0146
0.0184
0.0183
0.0202
0.0187
0.00202
Whiskey
elim. rate
0.0172
0.0176
0.0247
0.0155
0.0180
0.0185
0.0173
0.0184
0.00293
Overall
elim. rate
0.0181
0.0190
0.0225
0.0151
0.0182
0.0184
0.0188
0.0186
0.00218
Table 6: Height, weight, % body fat, lean weight and grams of ethanol consumed along with
elimination rates for all subjects after consuming beer and whiskey.
Subject
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Avg
Std Dev
Ht. Wt.
(in.) (kg)
64
65.5
74
82.7
72
91.4
64
77.7
63
58.2
73
98.6
70
65.5
61
47.7
63
52.7
66
80.0
66
91.8
66.9 73.8
4.55 17.00
% Lean wt. EtOH
fat
(kg)
(g)
26.1
48.4
59.4
13.6
71.5
87.8
11.2
81.1
99.7
30.0
54.4
66.8
17.0
48.3
59.3
27.4
71.6
88.0
7.5
60.5
74.4
19.4
38.5
47.3
18.6
42.9
52.7
11.6
70.7
86.9
30.2
64.1
78.7
19.3
59.3
72.80
8.05 13.78
16.92
Beer
elim. rate
0.0201
0.0190
0.0203
0.0168
0.0203
0.0146
0.0184
0.0208
0.0206
0.0183
0.0202
0.0190
0.00192
Whiskey
elim. rate
0.0180
0.0172
0.0176
0.0170
0.0247
0.0155
0.0180
0.0216
0.0212
0.0185
0.0173
0.0188
0.00265
Overall
elim. rate
0.0191
0.0181
0.0190
0.0169
0.0225
0.0151
0.0182
0.0212
0.0209
0.0184
0.0188
0.0189
0.00206
Discussion
There were significant differences in the average percentage of body fat and average rate of
elimination in women compared to men in this study. The women had both a higher average
percentage of body fat and a higher average elimination rate. These differences have been noted
in previous studies (11 & 12). There were significant individual subject differences in virtually
all aspects of this study as well. However, other than percentage of body fat and elimination
rate, when the results of men compared to women and beer compared to whiskey were averaged,
most of the individual differences disappeared.
The difference between the average peak alcohol concentration for beer compared to whiskey
was 0.000 for women, 0.002 for men, and 0.0013 overall. The average peak alcohol
concentrations were slightly higher for women than men. The difference in the average peak
alcohol concentration for women compared to men was 0.0016 for beer and 0.0036 for whiskey.
CMI, Inc., the instrument manufacturer, claims an accuracy of ±0.003 or 3% of the alcohol
concentration, whichever is greater for the Intoxilyzer 5000 (13). Since the difference between
the average peak alcohol concentration for beer compared to whiskey and women compared to
men is less than or at the instrument’s accuracy limit, no significant difference occurred between
the average peak alcohol concentrations in this study. The differences in the remainder of the
data points in the average alcohol concentration vs. time graphs for women, men, and the
combination of women and men for both beer and whiskey are also within the accuracy limits of
the instrument. Therefore, no significant difference occurred between the remainder of the data
points in the average alcohol concentrations in this study. On average, equal doses of ethanol
per kg of lean body weight of either beer or whiskey given to either male or female test subjects,
over the same length of time, yielded the same alcohol concentration results in this study.
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