The alcohol content of beer and the associated blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in per mille depend on various factors, such as the type of beer, the amount consumed, and individual physical conditions. In this guide, we clarify how much per mille a beer has, how much per mille you might have after 5 beers, and which factors play a role.

1. How Much Per Mille Does a Beer Have?

A beer does not have a direct "per mille value" since per mille describes the blood alcohol concentration in the body. What we need to know is the alcohol content of a beer to calculate the BAC.

• A standard beer (0.5 liters) typically has an alcohol content of about 5% by volume in Germany. This corresponds to approximately 20 grams of pure alcohol.

To calculate the blood alcohol concentration after one beer, use the following simplified formula:

Per Mille ≈ (Amount in grams of alcohol / Body weight in kg) x Reduction factor

The reduction factor is approximately 0.7 for men and 0.6 for women, as women generally have a higher body fat percentage, which stores less alcohol.

Example:

• A man weighs 80 kg and drinks a 0.5-liter beer (20 grams of alcohol).
• Per mille ≈ (20 g / 80 kg) x 0.7 ≈ 0.18 per mille.

This is only a rough estimate, as the per mille value depends on many other factors such as drinking speed, stomach fullness, and individual metabolism.

2. How Much Per Mille After 3 Beers?

Let's assume you drink 3 standard beers (each 0.5 liters) in a short period. This means you have consumed approximately 60 grams of pure alcohol.

• For an 80 kg man, this results in:
• Per mille ≈ (60 g / 80 kg) x 0.7 ≈ 0.53 per mille.

However, this value is only expected shortly after consumption, as the body begins to metabolize alcohol simultaneously. The alcohol metabolism rate is about 0.1–0.2 per mille per hour. Therefore, the final per mille value may be lower depending on the time elapsed since drinking.

3. How Much Per Mille After 5 Beers?

Now, let's increase the amount to 5 beers (0.5 liters per beer). This means you have consumed about 100 grams of pure alcohol.

• Again, taking the 80 kg man as an example:
• Per mille ≈ (100 g / 80 kg) x 0.7 ≈ 0.88 per mille.

At a per mille value of around 0.8, one is considered absolutely unfit to drive in many countries (including Germany). Even at 0.3 per mille, driving can be risky as reaction times are impaired.

4. Factors Influencing the Per Mille Value

The actual per mille value varies greatly depending on individual conditions. Here are some of the most important factors:

• Body Weight: Heavier individuals have more body fluids that dilute the alcohol, resulting in a lower per mille value.
• Gender: Women generally have less body fluid on average, leading to higher per mille values with the same amount of alcohol.
• Drinking Speed: Those who drink faster have temporarily higher per mille values, as the body does not have the opportunity to metabolize the alcohol.
• Stomach Fullness: A full stomach delays alcohol absorption into the blood, which can lead to lower per mille values.

Summary

• A standard beer (0.5 liters) with 5% alcohol results in about 0.18 per mille for an 80 kg man.
• After 3 beers (1.5 liters), the per mille value is approximately 0.53 per mille.
• After 5 beers (2.5 liters), the per mille value can rise to 0.88 per mille.

It is important to note that the body continuously metabolizes alcohol, and the actual per mille value depends on many personal and external factors. Responsible drinking is therefore crucial, especially if tasks like driving are still pending.

Questions Answered by This Article:

• How much per mille does a beer have?
• How much per mille will I have after 3 beers?
• How much per mille does one have after 5 beers?
• What factors influence the per mille value?
• How can the per mille value be calculated?