How much alcohol is equivalent to a 12 oz. can of beer?

A 12 oz. can of beer typically contains about the same amount of alcohol as 1 ½ oz. of 86 proof whiskey. This equivalence is based on the standard measurement of alcohol content. A regular beer contains approximately 5% alcohol by volume (ABV), while 86 proof whiskey has a higher alcohol content, measured at 43% ABV.

When you consider the volume of alcohol in each: the 12 oz. beer has roughly 0.6 oz. of pure alcohol. To match that level of alcohol with whiskey, you need 1 ½ oz. of 86 proof whiskey, which also contains about 0.6 oz. of pure alcohol. This makes them equivalent in terms of the amount of alcohol present.

Consequently, this understanding is important for grasping responsible drinking habits and knowing how different alcoholic beverages compare in their effects.