The simple answer is between 2.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) and 67.5% (ABV).
The Beer with The Highest Alcohol Content:
Brewmeister Snake Venom
“This is the world’s strongest beer. At 67.5% ABV per 12-ounce bottle, you can expect a strong, boozy aroma and a bit of an after-burn with every sip that is reminiscent of whiskey or tequila. This is definitely not a beer for chugging, and Brewmeister even puts a warning on the label. The flavor profile is everything you would expect from Brewmeister: sweet, fruity, nutty, and smoky.”
“And while Snake Venom makes no attempt at masking its alcohol, it is unmistakably and unapologetically beer.”
“Understandably, Snake Venom is one of the most expensive beers per bottle on this list. So make sure you are ready for it!”
The Beer with The Lowest Alcohol Content:
Brewer Jack Hendler has begun an industry-changing project, the “2% Beer Initiative.” A line of the beers will be around 2% alcohol by volume (ABV), but not sacrifice any of the characteristics that have made iconic styles.
The first 2% Beer Initiative was a pilsner coming in at a paltry 2.4% ABV..
For now, Jack plans to keep his 2% Beer Initiative inside the brewhouse and beer hall, brewing small batches on his pilot brew system.
Click here to learn more about 2% Beer Project Pilsner.
THE ALCOHOL CONTENT OF 17 STYLES OF BEER:
There are two types of beer (ale and lager). Both types are the home of several styles. Basically, there are approximately nineteen “styles” of beer and ale. Although the Brewers Association, the trade group that lobbies for the Craft Brewers of the United States, has come up with over 200 individual styles of fermented malt beverage.
The following is a list of seventeen essential styles: the lightest, most delicate flavors to the dark, intense, “specialty” brews. The fundamental difference is determined by the malt, hops, and yeast used in the brewing process.
1) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN AMERICAN LIGHT LAGERS:
This “style” of beer results from the growth of national breweries in the United States and their ability to brew a beer that appeals to the most people possible at a competitive price. It is essentially a pilsner-style lager, brewed with a significant amount of grain other than malted barley. It is a slightly sweet, lightly hopped, straw-colored, very effervescent Beer.
Go to The Old Growler Archives for The Full Story:
Iconic Example: Miller Lite
Miller Lite: 4.17 ABV, 96 calories, 3.2 grams of carbs, and less than 1 gram of protein per 12-ounce can, bottle, or pour.
| Beer | ABV |
| American-Style Lager | 4.1-5.1 |
| Miller Lite | 4.17 |
| American-Style Light Lager | 3.5-4.4 |
| Contemporary American-Style Light Lager | 3.5-4.4 |
RANGE: 3.5-5.1
2) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN A PILSNER:
This style is a light-straw-colored, full-bodied, lagered, bottom-fermented beer named after Pilsen (in what was then known as Bohemia), where it was first brewed in 1842. It quickly became a popular unique style because it was so different from the amber brews that were the norm.
Go to The Old Growler Archives for The Full Story on Pilsner
Iconic Example: Pilsner Urquell
Pilsner Urquell: 4.4 ABV, 156 calories, 16 grams of carbs, and less than 1.18 grams of protein per 12-ounce can, bottle, or pour.
| Beer | ABV |
| American-Style Pilsener | 4.9-6.0 |
| German-Style Pilsener | 4.6-5.3 |
| Pilsner Urquell | 4.4 |
| Bohemian-Style Pilsener | 4.1-5.1 |
RANGE: 4.1-6.0
3) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN A WHEAT BEER:
Wheat beer, with usually 30% wheat added to the grist, has a distinctive sour flavor and, in the case of Bavarian wheat beers, an under-flavor of clove due mainly to the flavors created by the yeast during fermentation.
Iconic Example: Franziskaner Premium Weissbier
Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu Premium Weissbier 5.0 ABV, 150 calories, 16.7 grams of carbs, 1 gram of protein per 12-ounce can, bottle, or pour.
| Beer | ABV |
| South German-Style Weizenbock | 7.0-9.5 |
| Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu Weissbier | 5.0 |
| South German-Style Hefeweizen | 4.9-5.6 |
| Berliner-Style Weiss | 2.8-5.0 |
RANGE: 2.8-9.5
4) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN A BRITISH BITTER:
This top-fermented classic ale style offers a deep, rich brown or ruby color with a malty, very lightly hopped flavor. An authentic Bitter is only lightly carbonated.
Go to The Old Growler Archives for The Full Story:
Iconic Example: Fuller’s ESB
Fuller’s ESB: 5.9 ABV, 187 calories, 18 grams of carbs, 1 gram of protein per 12-ounce can, bottle, or pour.
| Beer | ABV |
| Fuller’s ESB | 5.9 |
| Extra Special Bitter | 4.8-5.8 |
| Special/Best Bitter | 4.2-4.8 |
| Ordinary Bitter | 3.0-4.2 |
RANGE: 3.0-5.8
5) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN A BROWN ALE:
Brown ale is a traditional British, top-fermented ale. Flavor and color are like a pale ale but sweeter and darker.
Go to The Old Growler Archives for The Full Story:
Iconic Example: Newcastle Brown Ale
Newcastle Brown Ale: 4.7 ABV, 140 calories, 13 grams of carbs, 1 gram of protein per 12-ounce can, bottle, or pour.
| Beer | ABV |
| Newcastle Brown Ale | 4.7 |
| English-Style Brown Ale | 4.2-6.0 |
| American-Style Brown Ale | 4.2-6.3 |
| English-Style Dark Mild Ale | 3.4-4.4 |
RANGE: 3.4-6.0
6) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN OKTOBERFEST:
According to the Association of Brewers Beer Style Guidelines, “The American style of this classic German beer is distinguished by a comparatively greater degree of hop character. Oktoberfests can range from golden to reddish-brown. Malt character should be light-toasted rather than strongly caramel (though a low level of light caramel character is acceptable). Bread or biscuit-like malt character is acceptable in aroma and flavor. Sweet maltiness should dominate over a clean, hop bitterness. The bitterness should not be aggressive or harsh. Hop aroma and flavor should be notable but at low to medium levels.” The alcohol content should range between 5.3-5.9% by volume.
Go to The Old Growler Archives for The Full Story:
Iconic Example: Augustiner-Braeu Oktoberfest
Augustiner-Brau Oktoberfest – 6.3 ABV, 187 calories, 2.2 grams of carbs, .5 gram of protein per 12-ounce can, bottle, or pour.
| Beer | ABV |
| Augustiner-Braeu Oktoberfest | 6.3 |
| German-Style Oktoberfest | 5.1-6.1 |
| German-Style Maerzen | 5.1-6.0 |
| American-Style Maerzen | 5.1-6.0 |
RANGE: 5.1-6.3
7) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN A PALE ALE:
Pale ale, another classic British top-fermented ale style, has more hop flavor than “Bitter” but not as much as “India Pale Ale.” (There is a good measure of overlap when other than mainstream examples of these three brew styles are compared.)
Go to The Old Growler Archives for The Full Story:
Ionic Example: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale: 5.6 ABV, 175 calories, 14.3 grams of carbs, 1.9 gram of protein per 12-ounce can, bottle, or pour.
| Beer | ABV |
| Juicy/Hazy Strong Pale Ale | 5.6-7.0 |
| Sierra Nevada Pale Ale | 5.6 |
| Classis English-Style Pale Ale | 4.4-5.3 |
| English-Style Pale Mild Ale | 3.4-4.4 |
RANGE: 3.4-7.0
8) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN AN INDIA PALE ALE
India pale ale, so named because it had to endure long sea voyages from breweries in England to outposts on the fringes of the British Empire. It had to be a high gravity, well-hopped brew to enable it to last the voyage and not spoil.
Go to The Old Growler Archives for The Full Story:
Iconic Example: Bell’s Two Hearted Ale
Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale: 7.0 ABV, 212 calories, 16.7 grams carbs, per 12 oz. can, bottle, or pour.
| Beer | ABV |
| American-Style Imperial IPA | 7.6-10.6 |
| Bell’s Two Hearted Ale | 7.0 |
| American-Style India Pale Ale | 6.3-7.5 |
| English-Style India Pale Ale | 4.5-7.1 |
| Session India Pale Ale | 3.7-5.0 |
RANGE: 3.7-10.6
9) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN A SCOTTISH ALE:
This is a strong (high alcohol) brew made with Scottish malted barley. Less hoppy than English brews, there are hints of caramel and, sometimes, a slight tang of smoke in the flavor.
Go to The Old Growler Archives for The Full Story:
Iconic Example: Belhaven Wee Heavy
Iconic Example: Belhaven Wee Heavy: 6.5 ABV, 326 calories, 35 grams of carbs, 0 gram of protein per 12-ounce can, bottle, or pour.
| Beer | ABV |
| Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy | 6.8-8.5 |
| Belhaven Wee Heavy | 6.5 |
| Scottish-Style Export Ale | 4.1-5.3 |
| Scottish-Style Heavy Ale | 3.5-4.1 |
| Scottish-Style Light Ale | 2.8-3.5 |
RANGE: 2.8-8.5
10) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN A STRONG ALE:
Also called Old Ale. High in alcohol, this brew is particular for its dark color (almost opaque) and a sweet flavor that masks the heat of an alcohol content that can reach 11% by volume.
Go to The Old Growler Archives for The Full Story:
Iconic Example: Fuller’s Vintage Ale 2020
Fuller’s Vintage Ale 2020: 8.5 ABV, 255 calories, n/a grams of carbs, n/a gram of protein per 12-ounce can, bottle, or pour.
| Beer | ABY |
| Strong Ale | 7.0-11.3 |
| Fuller’s Vintage Ale 2020 | 8.5 |
| Old Ale | 6.3-9.1 |
| American-Style Malt Liquor | 6.3-7.6 |
RANGE: 6.3-11.3
11) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN A BOCK BEER:
This style is similar to Strong Ale but fermented with bottom-fermenting yeast and is “lagered” (aged) for at least a month.
Iconic Example: Shiner Bock
Shiner Bock: 4.4 ABV, 142 calories, 12 grams of carbs, 0 gram of protein per 12-ounce can, bottle, or pour.
| Beer | ABV |
| German-Style Eisbock | 8.6-14.3 |
| German-Style Doppelbock | 6.6-7.9 |
| Traditional German-Style Bock | 6.3-7.6 |
| Shiner Bock | 4.4 |
RANGE: 6.3-14.3
12) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN A PORTER:
It was a sad fact; the “porter” of Charles Dickens time is gone. When Porter “died,” funeral processions were held in the United Kingdom to mark the event. There are some alive who remember the day. Although the specific yeast is not used anymore, the style lives on in the United States, where brewers will not give up the ghost. Although several micro-breweries are now producing porter-style beers, they must, by default, compare themselves to “The Celebrated Pottsville Porter.”
Go to The Old Growler Archives for The Full Story:
Iconic Example: Founders Porter
Founders Porter: 4.7 ABV, 140 calories, 13 grams of carbs, 1 gram of protein per 12-ounce can, bottle, or pour.
| Beer | ABV |
| Baltic-Style Porter | 7.6-9.3 |
| Robust Porter | 5.1-6.6 |
| Founders Porter | 4.7 |
| Brown Porter | 4.4-6.0 |
RANGE: 4.4-9.3
13) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN A STOUT:
Although many stouts are brewed in the United States and The Republic of Ireland, Guinness Stout is perceived as the touchstone for all stouts.
Go to The Old Growler Archives for The Full Story:
Iconic Example: Guinness Extra Stout
Guinness Extra Stout: 5.6 ABV, 300 calories, 25 grams of carbs, 2 grams of protein per 12-ounce can, bottle, or pour.
| Beer | ABV |
| British-Style Imperial Stout | 7.0-12.0 |
| Export-Style Stout | 5.6-8.0 |
| Guinness Extra Stout | 5.6 |
| Classic Irish-Style Dry Stout | 4.1-5.3 |
RANGE: 4.1-12.0
14) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN A BARLEY WINE
Barley wine is a very dark, almost opaque ale. The term “barley wine” is relatively new. Once called “Strong Ale,” this is the most alcoholic beer style. The addition of a healthy amount of hops forms a powerful flavor triad of sweet malt, bitter hops, and warm alcohol. Alcohol content can reach 12% by volume.
Go to The Old Growler Archives for The Full Story:
Iconic Example: Old Foghorn
Old Foghorn 8-10 ABV, 320 calories, 30 grams of carbs, 0 gram of protein per 12-ounce can, bottle, or pour.
| Beer | ABV |
| British-Style Barley Wine Ale | 8.5-12.2 |
| American-Style Barley Wine Ale | 8.5-12.2 |
| American-Style Wheat Wine Ale | 8.5-12.2 |
| Old Foghorn | 8-10 |
RANGE: 8.5-12.2
15) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN PUMPKIN SPICE BEER:
Iconic Example: Samuel Adams Jack-O Pumpkin Ale
Samuel Adams Jack-O Pumpkin Ale: 4.4 ABV, 199 calories, 19 grams of carbs, 0 gram of protein per 12-ounce can, bottle, or pour.
| Beer | ABV |
| Jack-O Pumpkin Ale | 4.4 |
| Pumpkin Spice Beer | 2.5-12.00 |
RANGE: 2.5-12.0
16) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN SMOKED BEER:
Iconic Example: Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier
Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier: 5.1 ABV, 47 calories, 12 grams of carbs, 1 gram of protein per 100 ml.
| Beer | ABV |
| Bamberg-Style Bock Rauchbier | 6.3-7.6 |
| Bamberg-Style Maerzen Rauchbier | 5.1-6.0 |
| Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier | 5.1 |
| Bamberg-Style Weiss Rauchbier | 4.9-5.6 |
| Bamberg-Style Helles Rauchbier | 4.8-5.6 |
RANGE: 4.8-7.6
17) AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN BELGIAN STYLE BEERS:
Belgian beers are a style unto themselves because of the unique characteristics of the beers by the special yeasts allowed to ferment these beers.
Go to The Old Growler Archives for The Full Story:
| Beer | ABV |
| Belgian-Style Quadrupel | 10.0-14.2 |
| Belgian-Style Strong Dark Ale | 7.1-11.2 |
| Belgian-Style Strong Blonde Ale | 7.1-11.2 |
| Belgian-Style Tripel | 7.1-10.1 |
| Belgian-Style Blonde Ale | 6.3-7.9 |
| Belgian-Style Dubbel | 6.3-7.6 |
| Belgian-Style Speciale Belge | 5.1-6.3 |
| Belgian-Style Lambic | 5.0-8.2 |
| Traditional Belgian-Style Gueuze | 5.0-8.9 |
| Belgian-Style Fruit Lambic | 5.0-8.9 |
| Belgian-Style Witbier | 4.8-5.6 |
| Belgian-Style Flanders Oud Bruin | 4.8-6.6 |
| Belgian-Style Session Ale | 2.1-5.0 |
| Belgian-Style Table Beer | 0.5-2.0 |
RANGE: 0.5-14.2
CONCLUSION:
As you can see, there is quite a range of alcohol content in beer. Obviously, the beer style makes little difference in how much alcohol is in a particular beer.
Why is alcohol content important?
It ties together the flavors from the hops and grains similar to the effect of carbonation (carbolic acid) on the flavors from the hops. Without an alcohol content of at least 2.5, the beverage is simply a sparkling malt beverage. In short, without alcohol, “beer” is not beer.
What does alcohol add to the beer?
As noted above, it is essential to appreciate the ingredients’ flavors. Alcohol relaxes inhibitions, takes the edge off the senses, and adds a touch of euphoria.
