From: sg@monsoon.com (Sunil Gupta)
Newsgroups: alt.beer
Subject: Alcohol content
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 92 14:57:24 EDT
Organization: Monsoon Software, Inc.

Following is the complete text of the beer analysis report I
promised earlier. I received it as a xerox of a compter printout
which seemed to have been OCR'ed. I have limited my changes to
paragraph reformatting and correction of obvious spelling erros.




Analysis of Beer

BY LESTER HANKIN

[A cooperative study by The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
and the Excise Tax Division of the Connecticut Department of Revenue
Service.]

Beer is a generic name for beverages made by fermentation of extracts of
cereal grain, particularly barley, or other starchy material (1,8). Beer
is a beverage known since antiquity and next to wine is probabLy the oldest
of prepared food drinks. In modern times the countries of northern Europe
set the style of beer as it appears today. In fact, the words "beer,"
 "brewing," and "Lager" are all of German origin (1,8).

Beer is defined in Connecticut Statutes (2) as any beverage obtained by the
alcoholic fermentation of an infusion or decoction of barley, malt and hops
in drinking water and containing more than one-half of one percent of
absolute alcohol. Taxes on beer sold in Connecticut are collected by the
Excise Tax Division of the Department of Revenue Services at the rate of $3
per barrel (not less than 28 nor more than 31 gallons per barrel).

Consumption of beer in the United States is about 33 gallons per person per
year based on persons over I8 years of age (6). In all, over six billion
gallons of beer are produced each year in the United States (6,7).

Generally three types of beer are sold: regular, light, and non-alcoholic.
The term light intends to signify a product with less alcohol and fewer
calories than regular beer. About 2-3 percent of beer sales are now of the
light type (4). Non-alcoholic beer usually claims less than a half percent
of alcohol and is intended for people who desire a product with little or
no alcohol.

In this Bulletin I report the alcohol and calorie content of domestic and
foreign beer sold in Connecticut.

METHODS

Samples were collected at wholesale beer distributors in Connecticut by
inspectors of the Excise Tax Division of the Department of Revenue Services
during April and May, 1987. Analysis for alcohol content was by AOAC
methods (5) using gas chromatography (3). Proteins, ash, and solids were
analyzed by AOAC methods (5). Carbohydrate content was calculated as
percent total solids - (% protein + % ash) Calories were calculated as
(% alcohoL X 6.93) + ((96 carbohydrate + %protein)  X 4) (3). Duplicate
analyses for alcohol in the same container of beer showed an average
deviation of 0.057 percent and duplicates for protein 0.05 percent.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Of the 202 samples tested, 163 were regular beer (Table 1), 26 were light
beer (Table 2), and 13 were non-alcoholic beer (Table 3). These represented
81, 19 and 9 different brands of regular, light, and nonalcoholic beer,
respectively. Each Table lists the brand name of the beer, the name of the
brewer, the country of origin, alcohol content, and the calories per 100 ml
(milliliters) (3.5 ounces).

Alcohol in regular, light, and non-alcoholic beer averaged 5.0, 4.1, and
0.3 percent, respectively (Table 4). Calories in regular, light and
non-alcoholic beer averaged 43, 32, and 17 per 100 ml, respectively. The
range in values for alcohol and calories was wide. Alcohol in regular beer
ranged from 1.0 to 9.5 percent, while light beer ranged from 2.4 to 5.4
percent and non-alcoholic beer from 0.1 to 0.7 percent. Similarly, calories
varied among all types of beer. Some variation was noted in alcohol content
among different containers of the same type of beer. A dilference of 1.5
percent was found in one type of regular beer and 1.6 percent in another.
Although the labels showed no code numbers, each container of beer is
likely from a different manufacturing batch.

A comparison of alcohol and calorie content between regular and light beer
from the same manufacturer can be made by examining Tables 1 and 2. For
example, eight regular beers made by Anheuser Busch (does not include beer
claiming half the amount of alcohol as regular beer) averaged 5.11 percent
alcohol. Four light beers from the same manufacturer averaged 4.17 percent,
15 percent less than found in the regular beer. Calories in the same
Anheuser Busch regular beer averaged 44 per 100 ml and 35 in light beer, or
20 percent lower calories. Similar comparisons may be made for other
manufacturers.

SUMMARY

In all, 202 samples of beer were tested. The alcohol and calorie content
for each sample are reported. In comparison to regular beer which averaged
5 percent alcohol and 43 calories per 100 ml, light and non-alcoholic beer
averaged 16 and 94 percent less alcohol and 27 and 60 percent fewer
calories, respectively.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Analyses were by Lucia McLean, Dr. Vipin Agarwal, Lois Hornig, Deborah
Behnfield, and John Hayes. Arrangements and collections of samples were
made by Pasquale Oronzo, James Pyne, and Robert Brown of the Excise Tax
Division.

REFERENCES

1. Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Vol. 1, 15th edition, 1974, Chicago, IL.

2. General Statutes of the State of Connecticut. revised January 1, 1987,
   sections 12-433 and 435.

3. Hankin, L. 19B6. Analysis of wine and beer coolers. Bulletin 840,
   CT Agricultural Experiment Station.

4, Messenger, B. 19B8. Coors Target: Beer across America. Prepared Foods
   157:58-61.

5. Oflicial Methods ol Analysis. 1984. 14th edition, S. Williams (ed.).
   Assoc. Official Analytical Chemists, Arlington, VA.

6. Statistical Abstracts ol the United States. 19B5 105th edition,
   Washington, DC.

7. Statistical release Dept. ol the Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
   and Firearms. ATF R A:I 5130-2.

8. The Chemistry and Technology ol Food and Food Products edition. M.B.
   Jacobs (ed.). 1951. Interscience Publishers, Analysis of Beer

Analysis of Beer

    TABLE I--ALCOHOL AND CALORIE CONTENT OF

Brand/Brewer (Country)            % Alcohol  Calories
                                             per 100 ml
Anchor Porter
   Anchor (USA)                     5.66     59
Anchor Steam Beer
   Anchor (USA)                     4.63     43
Asahi Draft Beer
   Asahi (Japan)                    5.21     41
Ballantine Prlvate Stock Malt Liquor
   Narragansett (USA)               6.01     47
Ballantine Indla Pale Ale           6.17     53
   Falstaff (USA)                   6.61     55
Ballantine Premium Lager Beer
   Falstaff (USA)                   4.82     43
Ballantine XXX Ale                  5.68     49
   Falstaff (USA)                   5.08     46
Bass & Co's Bale Ale                4.02     37
   Bass (England)                   5.51     45
                                    4.95     41
Beamish Irish Cream Stout
   Beamish - Crawford (Ireland)     3.73     37
Beck's Beer                         5.13     43
   Brauerei Beck (Germany)          5.13     42
Big Barrel Australian Lager         3.98     31
   Cooper & Sons (Australia)        4.66     39
Black Horse Premium Draft Beer
   Black Horse (USA)                4.74     45
Blatz Beer
   G. Heileman (USA)                4.86     43
Blatz Milwaukee 1851 Beer
   Blatz (USA)                      4.48     38
Boulder Porter
   Boulder (USA)                    6.07     53
Budwelser King of Beers             4.82     40
   Anheuser Busch (USA)             4.47     39
Busch Beer                          4.98     42
   Anheuser Busch (USA)             5.19     43
Carling Black Label Canadian        4.71     45
   Style Beer G. Heileman (USA)    4.38     39
Cerveza Carta Blanca
   Cerveceria Cauhtemoc (Mexlco)    4.02     36
Cerveza Tecate Beer                 4.10     37
   Cervecerla Cauhtemoc (Mexico)    4.49     41
Chester Golden A]e
   Greenall Whitley (England)       5.43     44
Colt 45 Malt Liquor                 5.53     45
   G. Heileman (USA)                6.11     49
Coors Banquet Beer                  4.81     39
   Adolph Coors (USA)               5.03     41
Corona Extra Beer
   Cereveria Modela SA (Mexico)     4.84     45
Dos Equis XX Imported Beer
   Cauhtemoc (Mexico)               4.79     42
Dos Equis XX Special Lager
   Cerveceria Montezuma (Mexico)    4.96     44
Dragon Stout
   Desnoes - Goeddes (Jamaica)      6.79     62
Foster's Lager                      5-25     42
   Garlton & United (Australia)     5.06     44
Furstenberg German Beer
   Fustlich Ferstenbergische        4.43     39
    (Germany)
Genesee 12 Horse Ale                4.76     46
   Genesee (USA)                    4.98     44
Genesee Beer
   Genesee (USA)                    5.03     43
Genesee Cream Ale                   4.9B     44
   Genesee (USA)                    4.70     42
George Killian's Irish Red Ale
   Adolph Coors (USA)               5.79     50
George Killian's Irish Red Brand Beer
   Adolph Coors (USA)               5.54     49
Great Wall Imported Chinese Beer
   Green Bamboo (China)             4.63     45
Greenall's Cheshire English Pub Beer
  Grecnall Whitley PLC (England)    5.00     40
Grizzly Canadian Lager              5.4B     43
   Hamilton (Canada)                4.45     36

Grolsch Lager Beer                  5.11     44
   Grolsch Bierbrouweri (Holland)  5.17     44
                                    5.16     43
                                    5.37     44
Guinness Extra Stout
   Gulnness (Ireland)               4.27     43
Harfenrefrer Private Stock Malt Llquor
   Narragansett (USA)               6.87     50
Hamm's Beer
   Pabst (USA)                      4.53     40
Harp (mported Lager Beer            4.55     40
   Harp (Ireland)                   4.71     42
                                    4.96     43
Heineken Lager Beer                 5.41     47
   Heineken (Holland)               5.41     45
Heineken Special Dark Beer
   Heineken (Holland)               5.17     48
Hofenperle Special Feldschlosschen Bier
   Feldsohlosschen Rheinfelden
   (Switzerland)                    5.28     45
Kaiserdom Rauchbier-Smoked Bavarlan Dark Beer
   Bamberg Worner OHG (Germany)     5.88     49
Kirin Beer                          6.85     53
   Kirin (Japan)                    5.27     43
Knickerbocker Natural Beer
   Ruppert (USA)                    4.16     38
Kronenbourg Beer                    5.11     43
   Kronenbourg (France)             4.83     42
Kronenbourg Imported Dark Beer      5.08     46
   Kronenbourg (France)
Kuppers Kolsch          
   Kuppers     (Germany)            5.38     45                
LA Anheuser Busch Premlum Pilsner Beer
                                    2.29(a)  26
   Anheuser Busch (USA)             2.00(a)  29
Labatt's 50 Canadlan Ale            5.34     43
   Labatt (Canada)
Liberty Ale
   Anchor (USA)                     6.12     53
Lord Chesterrfeld Ale               5.40     30
   D.G. Yuengling & Son (USA)       5.57     44
Lowenbrau Dark Special Beer                        
   Miller (USA)                     5.00     45
Lowenbrau Special Beer              5.12     45
   Miller (USA)                     5.03     44
McEwans Scotch Ale
   Scottish & Newcastle (Scotland)  9.50     83
Michelob Beer                       4.90     44
   Anheuser Busch (USA)             4.99     45
Michelob Classic Dark Beer
   Anheuser Busch (USA)             4.76     45
Michelob Classlc Dark Beer
   Anheuser Busch (USA)             4.93     45
Mickeys Fine Malt Liquor
   G. Heileman (USA)                5.70     45
Miller High Life Beer               4.78     44
   Miller (USA)                     4.80     43
Miller High Life Genuine            4.68     42
   Draft Beer, Miller (USA)         5.02     43
Molson Canadian Beer
   Molson (Canada)                  5.19     43
Molson Golden Beer                  6.04     48
   Molson (Canada)                  5.22     43
Moosehead Canadian Lager Beer      5.08     43
   Moosehead (Canada)               4.84     40
                                    4.92     40
O'Keefe Canadian Beer               4.96     40
   O'Reefe (Canada)                 5.03     41
Olde English Brand 800 Malt Liquor  6.13     48
   pabst (USA)                      5.78     45
Old Milwaukee Beer                  4.95     44
   Stroh (USA)                      4.51     41
Olympia Premium Lager Beer
   Pabst (USA)                      4.78     41
Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer              4.50     39
   Pabst (USA)                      5.01     43
                                    5.00     43
Piels Premium Draft Style Beer      4.84     43
   Stroh (USA)                      4.23     39
Pilsener Urquell Beer
   Pilsener Urquell Pilzen          4.25     45
   (Czechoslovakia)
Red Strlpe Lager Beer               5.04     43
   Desnoes & Geddes (Jamaica)       4.82     42
Red White & Blue Special Lager Beer
   G. Heileman (USA)                5.15     43
Rheingold Premium Beer
   Rheingold (USA)                  4.78     42
Rolllng Rock Extra Pale Premium Beer
   Latrobe (USA)                    4.64     40
Rolling Rock Premlum Beer           4.51     34
   Latrobe (USA)                    4.27     38
Samuel Adams Boston Lager           4.67     50
   Boston Beer (USA)                4.88     48
                                    4.74     44
Schaefer Beer                       4.66     40
   Stroh (USA)                      4.60     40
                                    4.48     40
Schlitz Beer                        4.70     41
   Stroh (USA)                      4.41     40
                                    4.60     42
Schlitz Malt Liquor
   Stroh (USA)                      6.29     52
Sheaf Stout
   Carlton & United (Australia)     5.28     49
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
   Sierra Nevada (USA               4.82     45
Sierra Nevada Porter
   Sierra Nevada (USA)              5.34     48
Sierra Nevada Stout
   Sierra Nevada (USA)              5.10     56
Signature Stroh Beer
   Stroh (USA)                      4.84     43
Sol Cerveza Especial                3.94     36
   Cerveceria Montezuma (Mexico)    4.13     37
Spaten Munich Special Dark Beer
   Spaten-Brau (Germany)            6.63     52
St. Pauli Girl Beer                 5.00     39
   St. Pauli (Germany)              4.79     41
St. Pauli Girl Dark Beer            5.02     45
   St. Pauli (Germany)              4.93     44
Stroh's Beer                        4.64     41
   Stroh (USA)                      4.68     42
Suntory Draft Beer
   Suntory (Japan)                  4.64     39
Superior Imported Beer
   Cerveceria Moctezuma (Mexico)    4.34     43
Thos Cooper & Sons Adelaide Lager
   Cooper & Sons (Australia)        4.27     36
Thos Cooper & Sons Naturally Brewed Real Ale
   Cooper & Sons (Australia)        6.77     45
Thos Cooper & Sons Naturally Brewed Stout
   Cooper & Sons (Australla)        7.10     58
Tolly Origlnal Premium Ale
   Tollei-ache & Cobbold            4.85     41
   (England)
Tsingtao Beer
   Tsingtao (China)                 4.79     43
Tuborg Deluxe Dark Export Quality Beer
   G. Heileman (USA)                5.11     46
Tuborg Export Quality Beer          5.02     45
   G. Heileman (USA)                5.02     44
Tusker Malt Lager
   Bia Ni Bora (Kenya)              5.24     42
Utica Club Pilsener Lager Beer
   West End (USA)                   4.82     27
Watney's Red Barrel Beer
   Stag (England)                   3.92     40
Wurzburger Hofbrau Pilsner Beer
   Wurtzburger Hofbrauag            5.42     45
  (Germany)
Yuengling Porter
   D.G. Yuengllng & Son (USA)       4.13     40
Yuengllng Premium Beer
   D.G. Yuengling & Son (USA)       4.65     39
                                    4.11     39

(a) claims half the alcohol of regular beer

TABLE 2--ALCOHOL AND CALORIE CONTENT OF LIGHT BEER

Brand BreHer (Country)       % Alcohol         Calorles
                                     .        per 100 ml

Amstel Light Bier                   3.74     29
   Amstel Brouwerij B.V.            3.96     28
   (Holland)
Anheuser Busch Natural Light Beer   4.40     33
   Anheuser Busch (USA)             4.12     31
Bud Light Beer                      3.56     30
   Anheuser Busch (USA)             3.88     33
Coors Llght Beer
   Adolph Coors (USA)               4.36     30
Dribeck's Light Low Calorie Beer
   Brauerei Beck (Germany)          3.39     28
Genesee Light Beer
   Genesee (USA)                    3.55     27
Michelob Light Beer                 4.53     41
   Anheuser Busch (USA)             4.52     39
Miller Lite Pilsner Beer            4.61     31
   Mlller (USA)                     4.40     29
Molson Light Beer
   Molson (Canada)                  2.41     23
Nordik Wolf Light Imported Beer     4.81     32
   A.B. Pripps Bryggerier           4.70     31
  (Sweden)
Old Milwaukee Premium Light Beer
   Stroh (USA)                      3.82     32
Pabst Extra Light Low Alaohol Beer
   Pabst (USA)                      2.50(a)  19
Piels Naturally Light Beer
   Stroh (USA)                      4.49     40
Rheingold Extra Light Beer
   Rheingold (USA)                  4.32     27
Schaeler Light Lager Beer        
   Stroh (USA)                      4.07     34
Schlitz Light Pilsner Beer
   Stroh (USA)                      4.28     31
Stroh Light Beer                    4.91     42
   Stroh (USA)                      4.45     35
Watney's London Light Beer
   Whatney Combe Reid (England)     3.56     29
Wurtzburger Hofbrau Pure Bavarian Light Beer
   Wurtzburger Hofbrau Ag           5.44     43
   (Germany)

(a) claims 50% less alcohol than regular beer

TABLE 3--ALC0H0L AND CALORIE CONTEHT OF HOH-ALCOHOLIC BEER

Brand Brewer (Country)       % Alcohol        Calories
                                     .        per 1OO ml

Bass Barbican Non-Alooholic Malt Beverage
  Bass (England)                    0.10     15
Clausthaler Non-Alcohollc Herbfrisches Schankbier
   Bindlng Brauerei (Germany)       0.44     13
Clausthaler Hon-Alcohollc Herbfrlsches Schankbler
   Bindlng Brauerel (Germany)       0.48     14
Elan Swiss Brew Non-Alcohollc Malt Beverage
   Feldschloschen (Switzerland)     0.50     25
Kallber All Natural Non-Alcohollc Brew Light Malt Beverage
   Guinness (England)               0.10     14
Kingsbury Non-Alcoholic Malt Bev.   0.20     15
   G. Heileman (USA)                0.10     14
                                    0.10     13
Metbrau All Natural Draft Non-Alcohollc Malt Beverage
   Metropolls (USA)                 0.50     21
Moussy Non-Alcohollc Malt Beverage  0.05     15
   Cardlnal Filbourg (Switzerland)  0.10     16
Salnt Mlchael's Non-Alcohollc Malt Beverage
   St. Michael's (USA)              0.73     17
Wurtzburger Hofbrau Non-Alcohollc Llght Malt Beverage
   Wurzberger Hofbrau Ag (Germany)  0.10     30

TABLE 4--AVERAGE ALCOHOL AND CALORIE CONTENT OF REGULAR, LIGHT,

Product            No.         % AlcoholCalories
                 samples          per 100 ml

Regular            163         5.0 [2.0-9.5]         43 [26-83]

Light               26         4.1 [2.4-5.4]         32 [19-43]
                                   (-16%)               (-27%)

Non-alcohollc       13         0.3 [0.1-0.7]         17 [13-30]
                                   (-94%)               (-60%)

The number in parenthesls ( ) indicates average difference from
regular beer and numbers in brackets [] is the range of % alcohol
and calories per 100 ml, respectlvely.




Sunil Gupta
Monsoon Software, Inc.
sg@monsoon.com
Newsgroups: alt.beer,rec.crafts.brewing