Tag: Beer vs shots

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a standard 12-ounce can of 5% ABV beer contains the same amount of pure alcohol as one 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof liquor, which is 40% ABV. This equivalency answers the common question: how many shots is 1 can of beer?

Based on U.S. standard drink guidelines, a single 12-ounce beer with 5% Alcohol by Volume (ABV) contains the same amount of pure alcohol as a standard 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof (40% ABV) liquor. Therefore, determining how much is 8 beers in shots starts with this simple 1:1 equivalency, but the reality is more complex due to variable ABV.