Can You Get Drunk Off of Coors Light Beer? The Complete Guide

January 7, 2026 •

4 min read

With an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 4.2%, Coors Light is not alcohol-free, confirming that it is possible to get drunk off of Coors Light beer. However, achieving intoxication depends on numerous factors, from your body type to how quickly you consume the beer.

Quick Summary

Coors Light's 4.2% ABV means it can cause intoxication, but factors like body weight, food consumption, and drinking pace significantly influence the effect. Understand what it takes to get drunk on this popular light beer.

Key Points

Yes, you can get drunk: Despite being a 'light' beer, Coors Light contains 4.2% ABV, which is sufficient to cause intoxication.
Factors influence intoxication: How quickly you get drunk depends on variables like body weight, gender, pace of consumption, and whether you've eaten.
It might take more Coors Light: Because of its lower ABV compared to standard beers, you'll need to drink a higher volume of Coors Light to achieve the same level of intoxication.
BAC is still a risk: For a 150-pound person, just 3-4 Coors Lights consumed in an hour could be enough to reach the legal intoxication limit for driving (0.08% BAC).
Carbonation can speed it up: The carbonation in Coors Light can cause alcohol to be absorbed into your bloodstream slightly faster than non-carbonated drinks.
Responsible drinking is key: Always practice moderation, pace your consumption, and eat before drinking to mitigate the effects of alcohol.

Understanding the Alcohol Content of Coors Light

Coors Light has a 4.2% alcohol by volume (ABV). This is slightly lower than the average 5% ABV found in many standard beers, but it's far from non-alcoholic. The 'light' designation primarily refers to its reduced calorie count (102 calories per 12-ounce serving) and carbohydrate content (5 grams), not a negligible alcohol presence. A standard drink in the US is defined as 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol, which equates to one 12-ounce 5% ABV beer. Therefore, a 12-ounce Coors Light, with its 4.2% ABV, contains slightly less than a standard drink's worth of alcohol, but the difference is small. Consuming enough of these will inevitably lead to intoxication.

How Your Body Processes Alcohol

When you drink Coors Light, the alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream through the lining of your stomach and small intestine. Your liver is responsible for metabolizing this alcohol, but it can only process a certain amount at a time. The rate at which your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises is a direct result of how quickly you drink versus how quickly your liver can process the alcohol. Since Coors Light is a carbonated beverage, it can be absorbed slightly faster than non-carbonated drinks, potentially leading to a quicker onset of effects.

Factors Affecting Intoxication Speed

Getting drunk isn't a one-size-fits-all experience. Several variables determine how many Coors Lights it will take for you to become intoxicated. Understanding these factors is crucial for responsible consumption.

Here are some of the key influences:

Body Weight and Mass: Larger individuals typically have a greater blood volume, which dilutes alcohol more effectively. This means a heavier person will generally need more beers than a lighter person to reach the same BAC.
Food Consumption: Drinking on an empty stomach allows alcohol to be absorbed much faster, leading to a quicker rise in BAC and faster intoxication. A full stomach slows down the absorption process.
Pace of Drinking: Consuming multiple beers in a short period overwhelms the liver's ability to metabolize alcohol, leading to a rapid spike in BAC. Spacing out your drinks allows the body more time to process the alcohol.
Biological Sex: Due to differences in body composition and metabolism, females tend to have a higher BAC than males after consuming the same amount of alcohol.
Individual Tolerance: Regular drinkers may develop a higher tolerance, meaning they need more alcohol to feel the same effects as someone who drinks less frequently.

Coors Light vs. Other Beers: A Comparative Look

To put Coors Light's intoxicating potential into perspective, let's compare it to other common beers. The table below shows the key differences in ABV and calories, which directly impact how quickly they can cause intoxication. The lower ABV of Coors Light means you would need to drink a higher volume over the same period to reach the same BAC as with a stronger beer.


Beer Brand	Alcohol by Volume (ABV)	Calories (per 12 oz)	Effect on Intoxication
Coors Light	4.2%	102	Lower ABV requires more volume for intoxication.
Budweiser	5.0%	145	Higher ABV leads to faster intoxication than Coors Light.
Miller Lite	4.2%	96	Similar ABV to Coors Light; similar intoxication rate.
Michelob Ultra	4.2%	95	Similar ABV to Coors Light; comparable intoxicating effect.

How to Drink Coors Light Responsibly

While you can get drunk from Coors Light, you can also enjoy it responsibly and safely. Moderation and awareness are key to preventing overconsumption.

Pace Yourself: Limit yourself to one drink per hour. This gives your body time to process the alcohol and keeps your BAC from rising too quickly.
Eat Before and During: Never drink on an empty stomach. Consuming food, especially protein-rich meals, can significantly slow alcohol absorption.
Hydrate with Water: Alternate between beer and water to stay hydrated and slow your alcohol intake.
Know Your Limits: Your personal tolerance is an important factor. Understand how your body reacts to alcohol and stick within your known limits.

Conclusion

In summary, the popular light beer Coors Light, with its 4.2% ABV, can absolutely get you drunk, though it may take more of it to feel the same effects compared to beers with a higher alcohol content. Intoxication is not solely dependent on the beer's ABV but is a complex process influenced by a range of personal and situational factors, including body weight, metabolism, and drinking speed. For most adults, reaching a legally intoxicated state is possible with just a few Coors Lights if consumed quickly. The key takeaway is that even with lighter beers, responsible consumption is paramount. You can enjoy the refreshment of a cold Coors Light, but always be mindful of your limits and the factors that influence your level of intoxication.

To learn more about responsible drinking, visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). NIAAA Guide to Low-Risk Drinking

Frequently Asked Questions

Coors Light has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 4.2%, which is slightly lower than a standard 5% ABV beer but still fully capable of causing intoxication.

The number varies based on individual factors, but for an average person, consuming 3-4 Coors Lights within an hour could be enough to reach a state of legal intoxication.

It is not necessarily harder, but it requires drinking a larger volume of liquid. Light beer has less alcohol per ounce, so you must consume more of it than a regular or high-ABV beer to achieve the same level of intoxication.

Yes, eating significantly slows the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. Drinking Coors Light on an empty stomach will lead to faster intoxication compared to drinking it after a meal.

Body weight is a key factor. Individuals with a higher body mass and volume of blood will need to consume more Coors Light to reach the same blood alcohol concentration as someone with a lower body weight.

No. While it has a slightly lower ABV, consuming a sufficient quantity of Coors Light is just as dangerous as consuming any other alcoholic beverage. All alcohol should be consumed responsibly.

Hangovers are caused by dehydration and alcohol's toxic effects. While the lower alcohol content might slightly reduce the severity if you drink the same number of beers as a stronger option, excessive consumption of any beer, including Coors Light, can still lead to a hangover.