Understanding Coors Beer Strength: A Regional Breakdown
When asking, "What is the strength of a pint of Coors beer?", the answer depends on which specific Coors product you are referring to and where it is being served. Coors produces different products for various markets, each with its own Alcohol By Volume (ABV). The size of a "pint" also differs between the United States and the United Kingdom, which further impacts the total alcohol consumed.
Coors in the United States
In the U.S., the most common Coors products are Coors Light and Coors Banquet. The alcohol content for these is well-defined.
- Coors Light: Known for its crisp, light profile, Coors Light has an ABV of 4.2%. A U.S. pint is 16 fluid ounces. To calculate the total alcohol content, you multiply the volume by the ABV:
16 oz * 0.042 = 0.672 fluid ounces of pure alcohol. - Coors Banquet: The flagship American lager has a higher ABV of 5.0%. For a U.S. pint of Coors Banquet, the alcohol content is:
16 oz * 0.050 = 0.80 fluid ounces of pure alcohol.
Coors in the United Kingdom
The U.K. market has seen changes to its Coors offering due to shifts in alcohol duty laws. In recent years, Molson Coors lowered the ABV of its Coors Lager in the U.K. to take advantage of lower duty rates.
- Coors Lager: As of 2025, the U.K. version of Coors has an ABV of 3.4%, reduced from its previous 4%. A U.K. pint is 568ml (approximately 19.2 fluid ounces). The alcohol content in a U.K. pint is:
568ml * 0.034 = 19.312 ml of pure alcohol.
Comparison of Coors Varieties and Pints
The table below provides a clear comparison of the strength across different Coors products and regions, including an approximation of the calories per pint based on standard serving sizes.
| Product | Region | ABV | Pint Size | Total Alcohol | Approx. Calories per Pint |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coors Light | United States | 4.2% | 16 fl oz | 0.672 fl oz | 136 kcal |
| Coors Banquet | United States | 5.0% | 16 fl oz | 0.80 fl oz | 200 kcal |
| Coors Lager | United Kingdom | 3.4% | 568 ml | 19.312 ml | < 150 kcal |
Note: Calorie count for Coors Lager (UK) is estimated based on its lower ABV relative to Coors Light (US).
Standard Drinks and Units in a Pint of Coors
The concept of a standard drink or unit of alcohol is essential for understanding consumption levels, and definitions vary by country.
Standard Drinks (United States)
A standard drink in the U.S. contains 0.6 fluid ounces of pure alcohol.
- A U.S. pint of Coors Light (0.672 fl oz alcohol) contains
1.12 standard drinks. - A U.S. pint of Coors Banquet (0.80 fl oz alcohol) contains
1.33 standard drinks.
Alcohol Units (United Kingdom)
In the U.K., one unit of alcohol is defined as 8g of pure alcohol. This is calculated by the formula: (ABV % * Volume in ml) / 1000.
- A U.K. pint of Coors Lager (3.4% ABV, 568ml) contains
1.93 units.
The “Drinkflation” Effect on Coors Lager in the UK
As mentioned earlier, the ABV of Coors Lager in the U.K. was reduced to 3.4% in 2025. This was a direct response to a new alcohol duty system implemented in August 2023. Under this system, beverages with an ABV of 3.4% or lower are taxed at a significantly lower rate than those at 3.5% or higher. Many brewers, including Molson Coors, adjusted their products to benefit from this tax relief, a practice sometimes referred to as 'drinkflation'.
Conclusion: Know Your Coors
The term "pint of Coors" is not a fixed measure of strength. The total alcohol content depends on the specific product and the country where it is purchased. Coors Light has a 4.2% ABV in the U.S., while the stronger Coors Banquet is 5.0% ABV. In contrast, the U.K. version, Coors Lager, is a lower 3.4% ABV following a recent tax change. Additionally, the differing sizes of a U.S. versus a U.K. pint further affect the total alcohol content. For responsible consumption, always be aware of the specific product's ABV and the local definition of a pint. To learn more about standard drink sizes and how to calculate them, consider resources like the NIH's guide to alcohol consumption.
