Complete guide to alcohol content in beer

If you have ever wondered how much alcohol beer contains compared to other types of alcoholic beverages, you might be surprised by the answer. Popular wine has an alcohol content two or three times higher than regular beer, whereas distilled spirits such as gin, whisky or rum have an exponentially higher alcohol content. Only cider, particular cider made in the region of Cantabria, is close to having the same amount of alcohol as beer. 

There are over 100 different brewing styles in the beer world, and they all vary in terms of colour, smell, taste and of course, alcohol content. Today, we are going to tell you everything you need to know to understand beer and its alcohol content, and above all provide you with the knowledge to be able to enjoy each type of beer at its best.

Types of beer and their alcohol content 

We can find different types of beer in the aisles in supermarkets, with very different alcohol contents. We can even find two beers that might have a similar alcohol content, but which may be completely different in terms of taste and smell. The following are the most common:

• 0.0 alcohol-free beer. This type of beer is brewed under controlled fermentation and has a negligible alcohol content. 0.0 roasted alcohol-free beer with a stronger smell and darker colour, while having the same alcohol content.
• Alcohol free beer. Containing less than 1% alcohol, brewers are not required to state the exact alcohol content on the label.
• Low alcohol content beer. These beers contain between 1% and 3% of alcohol, although they are not very common in Spain. They are more common in the craft beer world, and are often labelled as “low alcohol”.
• Cervezas entre 4% y 5,9%. Beer between 4% and 5.9% alcohol content. This is the most popular alcohol content bracket, and includes golden lager, German and Belgian wheat beers, and some craft beer such as Pale Ale or Session IPA. Some roasted and dark beers also fall into this category.
• Beer between 6% and 7.5% alcohol content. This bracket is where we can find roasted beers, Abbey beer, Trappist beer and many IPAs, even some barrel-aged beer.
• Beer with over 8% alcohol content. These beers are less common and are usually full-bodied craft beer with a strong taste, such as the Monkish quadrupel beers.

There is a time and occasion for each brewing style, and knowing the alcohol content will undoubtedly be a great help in knowing which one is right for each moment.

Factors that affect the alcohol content of beer

The amount of alcohol in beer mainly depends on three factors:

• Sugar. The initial amount of sugar in the must (mainly maltose, glucose and dextrins) determine the maximum potential alcohol content.
• Yeast. The type and condition of the yeast affects fermentation efficiency, thus determining how much of the sugar in the must will actually become alcohol.
• Conditions. Temperature and atmosphere control are fundamental, since fermentation at too low or too high temperatures, for example, can slow down or even stop yeast activity.

How is alcohol content in beer measured?

Alcohol content in beer is expressed as the percentage of alcohol in relation to the total liquid. It is shown on the label and sometimes features the initials ABV (Alcohol by Volume). It is mandatory on all packaging, and in beer advertising in general.

Knowing how much alcohol a beer contains will help you to responsibly enjoy each brewing style, and you will be able to buy different types of beer, from those with a lower alcohol content to much higher ones.

Cheers!