Can You Get Drunk on 0.5% Beer? (And Why Not)
If you’ve been browsing the alcohol-free section at your local supermarket or bottle shop, chances are you’ve seen beers labelled with 0.5% ABV (alcohol by volume). And maybe you’ve wondered: “Wait a second doesn’t 0.5% mean there’s still alcohol in it? Can I get drunk on this?”
It’s a fair question—and one that’s surprisingly common. Let’s break it down.
First Things First: What Does 0.5% ABV Mean?
Alcohol by volume (ABV) is simply a measure of how much alcohol is in a beverage. So a beer labelled 0.5% ABV contains half a percent of pure alcohol per 100ml of liquid.
To put that into perspective:
- A standard pint of full-strength beer (around 5%) contains roughly 10x more alcohol than a 0.5% pint.
- A small glass of wine (12%) has about 24x more alcohol.
In fact, some everyday items like ripe bananas, fruit juice, or even sourdough bread can contain trace levels of naturally occurring alcohol sometimes approaching or even exceeding 0.5%. You’re probably consuming small amounts of alcohol without even thinking about it
So… Can You Get Drunk on It?
Technically speaking, yes but only in the same way you could technically get a sunburn from the light of the full moon. In practice: no, you won’t get drunk from drinking 0.5% beer.
Here’s why:
- Your body processes low amounts of alcohol very quickly.
- For an average adult, the liver can metabolize roughly one standard drink per hour (that’s about 10g of alcohol).
- A 330ml bottle of 0.5% beer contains about 1.65g of alcohol less than one-fifth of a standard drink.
In other words, you’d need to drink several litres of 0.5% beer in a very short time to feel even mild effects and your body would be busy breaking it down the entire time. Realistically, you’d be feeling bloated before you’d be feeling buzzed.
But Why Is It Even Called “Alcohol-Free”?
Different countries have different rules. In the UK, Europe, and Australia, drinks up to 0.5% ABV can legally be labelled as “alcohol-free” or “non-alcoholic.” In the U.S., the term “non-alcoholic” is sometimes reserved for 0.0%, but even there, 0.5% drinks are common and widely accepted as alcohol-free for practical purposes.
The key idea: 0.5% is functionally alcohol-free. It’s not enough to impair you or get you intoxicated even if you’re drinking several bottles over an evening.
What About If You’re Avoiding Alcohol Completely?
If you’re sober for medical, religious, or personal reasons, even 0.5% might be too much and that’s totally valid. Always check the label. Luckily, there are more 0.0% beers than ever before, and many taste just as good as their 0.5% cousins.
Final Sip: The Verdict
No, you won’t get drunk on 0.5% beer. It’s about as close to alcohol-free as you can get without being truly zero. For most people, it’s a safe and satisfying option when you want the taste of beer without the buzz.
But if you’re aiming to steer 100% clear of alcohol in every form, stick with 0.0% and always read the fine print.
Want Some Recommendations?
Try these great-tasting 0.5% beers:
- Lucky Saint – Crisp and refreshing lager-style
- Brew Dog Hazy AF –Citrusy and hoppy
- Drop Bear Bonfire Stout – Rich and Complex
Cheers to staying clear-headed without missing out on great taste. 🍻
Have a favourite 0.5% beer? Let us know in the comments or tag us @ModestDrinker on Instagram!
