How much alcohol is contained in a 12 oz. can of beer compared to a 1.5 oz. shot of 80 proof whiskey?

The correct answer is that a 12 oz. can of beer and a 1.5 oz. shot of 80 proof whiskey contain the same amount of alcohol. To understand why this is the case, it is essential to know how alcohol content is measured.

Beer typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of around 5%. A 12 oz. can of beer, therefore, contains about 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol (12 oz. multiplied by 0.05). On the other hand, 80 proof whiskey is 40% alcohol by volume. For a 1.5 oz. shot of this whiskey, you would also be consuming approximately 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol (1.5 oz. multiplied by 0.40).

This equivalency highlights how different types of alcoholic beverages can have similar effects in terms of alcohol consumption based on their volume and concentration. It is important to note that even though the beverage types differ, their alcohol content can be standardized for comparison, leading to the conclusion that they contain the same amount of alcohol. Understanding this equivalence is crucial for responsible drinking and recognizing one's blood alcohol concentration.