Booze News : Bar Drinks…on the Large Side?

    I was perusing the internet, bored at work and unable to drink, searching for interesting tidbits about my friend and yours, booze.  I happened upon an article titled “Bar drinks on the large side,” graciously provided by the Washington Post, written by Randy Dottinga.  Now that credit is given where credit is due, on to the response.

    At first, I was shocked.  Had restaurants and bars started serving more delicious liquor in their drinks?  No, impossible!  I frequent my local establishments, and I have not noticed a quantity increase.  Maybe they are actually putting more liquor in the drinks…no, I have never had a drink at a bar that was as strong as the ones I mix at home.  Wait a tick, I retract that statement.  There was one night at my late, beloved Cava Blue when dear bitch Courtney made me a delicious Wade and Zach’s bong water that was very strong and tasty.  Sorry, I got off topic there.  Anyway, the restaurants are not adding more booze to their drinks, if anything they are more watered down.

    I read on, curious as to what the author meant by large drinks.  Apparently, the standards of a drink have not changed in many moons, while the sizes served have increased.  According to the researchers from the Public Health Institute’s Alcohol Research Group, the alcoholic quantity of the drinks have increased while the old standards have remained the same.  Alcoholic mixed drinks and wine were about 42-43% larger than accepted standards…go team drunks!  While draft beers were about 22% larger than the standard.

    What does this mean to we drinkers of booze?  Not a whole lot, as I am sure you have all noticed most booze drinks are about half water at your typical bar.  However, beer and wine drinkers can let loose a cheer and rejoice knowing that they are almost doubling the standard consumption when drinking one beverage.  These increased amounts do mean that while you are enjoying libations at your favorite watering hole, you need to watch your by-the-hour consumption because one glass is equivalent to almost two drinks, and we all know how sneaky Mr. Liquor can be.  One shot turns into ten, and a nice night in your own bed turns into lying in a puddle of your own vomit in a parking lot.  Well, at least it does for me.

    Now I am sure that everyone reading this has a calloused, weathered liver like my own, so I am not about to lecture you on safe drinking practices.  You all should know your limits by now, and if you don’t well, half the fun is figuring out your limit.  Drink up, drown those sorrows, and make sure you wrap it up.  No one likes an unexpected child.

link to article:

http://www.projo.com/health/content/lb_bar_drinks_pack_more_punch_07-13-08_LOAN08_v5.1c2a4a7.html

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