How much is too much?

[WineGuy]

How much whiskey will cause a hangover?

In my college days I drank beer all night with no limits. But if I drink too much hard liquers I can get sick.

I'm wondering how much whiskey most can drink before it will cause unwanted effects the next morning. What is the limit?

[Sijan]

Depends a lot on how well you stay hydrated during and after drinking. I'm not sure I've found a reliable number of drinks, but I'm often drinking two of the three of beer, wine, and/or whiskey in the same night.

[barturtle]

I guess first we have to assume that you are in good health, with no liver problems.

Second, for the most part simple math can provide some general answers.

1 oz of 100 proof whiskey is equal to ~ 12oz of beer (standard 4.5% or so swill) each will have about 1/2 an ounce of alcohol.

But while you only get a half oz of water to help keep you hydrated with the whiskey, you get 11.5 oz of water in the beer, along with some carbs and other things that act like food to help defray the effects.

Honestly, how often do many of us only pour 1 oz? and nurse that ounce for an hour?

Best policy: drink plenty of water, before during and after, slow consumption, and be mindful of your limits.

[WineGuy]

Honestly, how often do many of us only pour 1 oz? and nurse that ounce for an hour?

I've been drinking about 2-3 ounces of WT101 when I have bourbon. The reason I asked the original question is I want to drink more, but I don't know where the line is. I sip at a slow rate trying to identify all the flavors, but even at that pace, the 2-3 ounces is gone in 20 minutes. I don't feel like I am drinking as much as someone who slams 3 beers in 20 minutes.

[JasonFalls]

How much whiskey will cause a hangover?

In my college days I drank beer all night with no limits. But if I drink too much hard liquers I can get sick.

I'm wondering how much whiskey most can drink before it will cause unwanted effects the next morning. What is the limit?

I would guess it varies by person ... body weight, tolerance, etc. I'm in my mid-30s now, so I've gotten to the point of not liking hangovers enough to just learn my own limits. 3-4 beers or cocktails will make me groggy in the morning. That whole Drink Responsibly thing makes sense. Just learn your own limits and listen to your body.

[felthove]

Along with the hydration strategy, I've been employing a time limit after which I no longer drink. Research shows that alcohol consumption limits REM sleep so I like to go to bed without a buzz. Personally I go to bed around 9 and try to stop drinking around 7 pm. This means I have get home from work early to get a good couple of hours in!!

[Huegeb]

I've been drinking about 2-3 ounces of WT101 when I have bourbon. The reason I asked the original question is I want to drink more, but I don't know where the line is. I sip at a slow rate trying to identify all the flavors, but even at that pace, the 2-3 ounces is gone in 20 minutes. I don't feel like I am drinking as much as someone who slams 3 beers in 20 minutes.

I only have two bourbons each night at a pour of about 200 ml's each. I do not vary this for if I do I shall feel the affects in the morning hours.

Geb

[barturtle]

I only have two bourbons each night at a pour of about 200 ml's each. I do not vary this for if I do I shall feel the affects in the morning hours.

Geb

Are you sure about that 200 ml? That's more than a 1/4 of a bottle or 6.7 oz US (7 oz UK)

[Huegeb]

Are you sure about that 200 ml? That's more than a 1/4 of a bottle or 6.7 oz US (7 oz UK)

Yes. Some bottles just do not last long.:grin:

[JamesW]

I like to have about two pours of 1.5 oz each of 100 proof. I like the idea of consuming plenty of water during and after as well. Any more than that and I have a bit of a hangover in the a.m. which really isn't worth it. I'm going to follow the previous advice listed of not drinking right up to the bed deadline maybe leave an hour respite before lights out. Problem is that my kids go to bed about 8:30 which doesn't leave a lot of time for relaxing with a good pour before turning in. So much good bourbon so little time

[DoubleT]

I've been drinking about 2-3 ounces of WT101 when I have bourbon. The reason I asked the original question is I want to drink more, but I don't know where the line is. I sip at a slow rate trying to identify all the flavors, but even at that pace, the 2-3 ounces is gone in 20 minutes. I don't feel like I am drinking as much as someone who slams 3 beers in 20 minutes.

Okay, this can get complicated fast so I will try to give this as simple as possible* while still being acurate.

The average human body, in good health, can process from the system and average of one ounce of beverage alcohol per hour. This includes everything that reacts with the alcohol, blood, lungs, liver, and kidneys. While staying hydrated is VERY important, it will not prevent you from becoming intoxicated. And being intoxicated is what causes the hangover.

As the body cleans (detoxes) itself it leads to the various physical issues, dry nouth, headache, etc. And those young kids who think if they eat bread after drinking it will absorb the alcohol; myth. The alcohol is absorbed directly into the blood through the stomach wall when you drink it. Water, while not preventing intoxication, does help the body process the alcohol. But not any faster, so the hour is still the rule.

Now, this will also be determined by the individual. The above is just the standard rule of thumb. If you are 6'9" and 300 pounds, in pro athlete condition, drink 64 oz of water every day and enjoy one to two drinks every day, you will probably be able to drink 2 per hour to my one (5'11" 180 lbs average shape) without being adversly affected. The best thing there is just to know your limits.

Now, as for 2-3 oz of WT 101 to 3 beers...you are actually drinking more and here's why; WT 101 is 50% alcohol by volume in 1 oz. The average beer is 3% - 30 % ABV, with the average beer consumed in the US being roughly 4-6%. Assuming you have 3 Blue Moon's, Shiner Bocks, Harps, etc. (6-8% ABV) you have had less ABV than in one WT 101.

However (there's always a but) the spirit will have fewer carbs, water, extras, etc. The water in beer does not count as water since it has been ferminted. And the higher sugars and carbs also cause a slight delay in processing. Remember, ABOUT an hour per drink. Beer in going to be on the high side. Spirits will process a little faster, especially if you conduming water (straight between drinks, and not trying to put down 4 or 5 per hour.

As you can see there is no hard fast answer since many different factors come into play. But if you in good physical condition, you aren't drinking on an empty stomach, and you hold your self to 2 drinks per hour (slowly) and drink plenty of water between drinks and stop drinking at leat 2-3 hours before going to bed then you should be fine as far as hangovers go. You aren't putting more in your body than it can hold, you are drinking slower, and stopping in time to let your body do it's thing.

On a professional note, remember this is for hangovers. Even 2 drinks taken within a 1 hour period on an empty stomach will impair you enough to slow your reflexes. More, even over time makes this worse. My way of saying drink responsibly and don't drive drunk. Hope this helps and wasn't completely boring.

* Not trying to insult anyone. The class police officers attend to understand to effects of alcohol on the human body and understanding the readings on an intoxilizor (breathalixer)for DUI is a weeek long so this is hard to condense to a couple of paragraphs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer

Beer ranges from less than 3% alcohol by volume (abv) to almost 30% abv. The alcohol content of beer varies by local practice or beer style. The pale lagers that most consumers are familiar with fall in the range of 4–6%, with a typical abv of 5%. The customary strength of British ales is quite low, with many session beers being around 4% abv.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_by_volume

• liquor (aka spirits): Typically 35-45% and up, but recently introduced (U.S.) 'light' liquors are only 20%
  
• "cask strength" whisky or rum: 60%

[CorvallisCracker]

When I get home from work I'll have 1.5 oz of something, usually bourbon but occasionally rye, Irish, Canadian or an aged rum. With dinner I have a single glass of wine, about 6oz (unless dinner is something that calls for beer, like pizza or chili, in which case I have a single 12oz beer).

The exception is when I'm evaluating something I've not previously had; then I have 1.5 oz of that and 1.5 oz of something comparable.

I don't drink after 7:30pm because it will exacerbate my snoring and apnea.

At parties, I pace myself. At the one we held on Saturday, I had three martinis over the first four hours (about 2.5 oz of 80 proof vodka in each), along with a fair amount of food. Over the last two hours I nursed 2 oz of PVW 15 in a snifter (had a cigar with that).

I've had only two hangovers in the last 30 years.

[WhiskeyRiver]

How much is too much?

Drink a gallon, if that is too much, adjust accordingly.

[JasonFalls]

How much is too much?

Drink a gallon, if that is too much, adjust accordingly.

Man, that got me laughing!

[WineGuy]

I like to have about two pours of 1.5 oz each of 100 proof. I like the idea of consuming plenty of water during and after as well. Any more than that and I have a bit of a hangover in the a.m. which really isn't worth it.

In college I drank with the best of them. For a long time I could not shake that competitiveness. If someone else is drinking 5 per hour, then I am drinking 5 per hour. I have to change that way of thinking.

I agree, a hangover is not worth it.

3 ounces seems like a good limit to me. I'll have to make an ice tea or something else to drink on the side so I can nurse the bourbon longer.

I have to remind myself it is about the flavor and not quantity. I'll have to treat bourbon the same way I treat ice cream. One cup is the limit, even though I can eat the whole tub.

[ggilbertva]

I'll have to treat bourbon the same way I treat ice cream. One cup is the limit, even though I can eat the whole tub.

True, but a tub of ice cream won't make you act stupid or crash your car.

[melting]

I'm with James on this one. My kids go to bed around 8:30 also. I usually get up in the moring around 3:30 so I'm usually in bed by 9:30. Only an hour in between doesn't leave much time. I'll usually have one pour, probably around 2 ounces or so.

I have a slight build at 6'1" and around 170 pounds and have never had a high tolerance for alcohol. More than a couple of pours within a couple hours and I start having a tough time focusing on the television. Makes it awefully hard to watch the Sox that way.

I haven't had a hangover since high school 20 years ago and I plan to keep it that way. Although lately I've noticed that the morning after having some Old Grand Dad BIB I get a slight headache every time. It's too bad because it's one of my best bang for the buck pours.

Chris

[shyster512]

To prevent hangover ( other than controlling intake), after carousing, drink a coke with three advil. Tried it several times and it does work.

[gblick]

I always just drink a lot of water and I'm fine.

If it's a long Saturday night of drinking etc., I'll have lots of water between pours, then I'll drink at least two full cups of water before going to bed, and I always have a nice tall glass of water waiting for me on the night stand to drink as soon as I wake up. Works wonders.

No offense, but I don't think the Advil is a good idea at all. Isn't that stuff bad for your stomach, especially when drinking alcohol? And the Coke doesn't sound good to me either. I think it's the sweet stuff in many drinks that cause hangovers in the first place, but I might be mistaken.

[shyster512]

All I can say is try it. A doctor friend of mine told me it worked and all I can say is that I have tried it and it worked. He told me something the body produces (ADP or something like that) is affected by alcohol and the water balance of the body. The remedy seems to help that. I have had no problem with Advil and my stomach-others may have different experiences with that. The carbonation in the Coke is the key.

[WineGuy]

All I can say is try it. A doctor friend of mine told me it worked and all I can say is that I have tried it and it worked. He told me something the body produces (ADP or something like that) is affected by alcohol and the water balance of the body. The remedy seems to help that. I have had no problem with Advil and my stomach-others may have different experiences with that. The carbonation in the Coke is the key.

Could it be the electrolytes? If alcohol causes dehydration like a professional football player, then why not drink the stuff they use to get through a game?

[spun_cookie]

How much is too much?

Drink a gallon, if that is too much, adjust accordingly.

For sure the post of the week:slappin:

[WineGuy]

To prevent hangover ( other than controlling intake), after carousing, drink a coke with three advil. Tried it several times and it does work.

I'll let you know how this works tomorrow. I drank more than I intended to. Instead of 3 ounces, I poured myself 3 glasses worth and drank close to 10 ouces tonight.

[shyster512]

Good luck!!!

[jburlowski]

Sorry...

... don't know yet.