Drinking large quantities of beer in a single day is certainly possible, but also extremely dangerous. Binge drinking alcohol to excess should always be avoided, as it can lead to alcohol poisoning and even death. However, there are some reported world records for beer drinking in 24 hours that provide insight into just how much beer a person can consume.
World Records
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the record for the most beers consumed in 24 hours was set by James Hogue of Canada in 2017. Hogue drank 73 12-ounce beers, which is equivalent to 92 pints or 51 liters of beer. This broke the previous record of 70 12-ounce beers (88 pints, 48 liters) set by Matt Stonie of the USA in 2016.
For beer drinking by a female, the record belongs to Dikkeboem van den Berg of the Netherlands, who drank 56 12-ounce beers (70 pints, 39 liters) in 2016.
These records were set under controlled conditions with medical supervision, to prevent alcohol poisoning. However, drinking such large quantities of alcohol in a short period of time is extremely dangerous and life-threatening.
Dangers of Binge Drinking
Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol like this can easily lead to alcohol poisoning, which occurs when the blood alcohol content (BAC) reaches dangerous levels. This causes impaired brain function, lowered heart rate, lowered body temperature, coma, and even death.
The effects of alcohol poisoning include:
- Confusion, stupor, coma, or inability to wake up
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Hypothermia
- Bluish skin color, paleness
Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment. The dangers rapidly increase with binge drinking large amounts of beer quickly, as the body cannot properly metabolize the alcohol fast enough.
Recommended Alcohol Limits
Health organizations recommend the following alcohol limits for moderate drinking:
- For men: No more than 4 drinks per day and 14 drinks per week
- For women: No more than 3 drinks per day and 7 drinks per week
Binge drinking is defined as 5 or more drinks for men and 4 or more drinks for women within 2 hours. This pattern of excessive drinking is dangerous and strongly advised against.
Blood Alcohol Concentration
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measures the amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. A BAC of 0.08% and higher causes impairment and intoxication. Potential effects at different BAC levels include:
| BAC Percentage | Effects |
|---|---|
| 0.02% | Mild mood changes and relaxation |
| 0.05% | Reduced coordination and slowed reactions |
| 0.08% | Impaired balance and muscle control |
| 0.10% | Slurred speech, poor judgement |
| 0.15% | Vomiting, loss of balance, impaired senses |
| 0.30% | Loss of consciousness, risk of death from respiratory arrest |
As BAC rises, the dangers of alcohol poisoning and even death rapidly increase. Someone drinking 70+ beers could easily reach fatal levels above 0.30% BAC.
Calculating Alcohol Units
Different types of alcoholic drinks contain different amounts of pure alcohol. The standard drink equivalent is:
- 12 oz beer = 5% ABV = 0.6 oz pure alcohol
- 5 oz wine = 12% ABV = 0.6 oz pure alcohol
- 1.5 oz distilled spirits = 40% ABV = 0.6 oz pure alcohol
Using these approximations, drinking 73 beers (12 oz, 5% ABV) is equivalent to consuming:
- 73 * 12 oz = 876 fluid oz beer
- 73 * 0.6 oz pure alcohol = 43.8 oz pure alcohol
- 43.8 oz / 33.8 oz per liter = 1.3 liters pure alcohol
That’s more than an entire liter of pure ethanol consumed in one day! Drinking this amount of alcohol so rapidly is incredibly dangerous and life-threatening.
Strategies for Safe Drinking
If you choose to drink alcohol, follow these strategies to do so safely and avoid binge drinking:
- Drink water between alcoholic drinks
- Eat food before and while drinking
- Set a drink limit and stick to it
- Pace yourself – no more than 1 drink per hour
- Avoid drinking games that promote heavy drinking
- Use a designated driver, rideshare, or public transit
- Never drive after drinking
Staying Within Recommended Limits
It’s best to stay within the recommended daily and weekly alcohol limits of no more than 4 drinks for men and 3 drinks for women per day. Drinking any amount of alcohol daily is not advised for health reasons. Allow for alcohol-free days, especially after heavier drinking episodes. Listen to your body and stop drinking before impairment sets in.
Conclusion
Drinking massive quantities of beer to break records is extremely dangerous and life-threatening behavior due to alcohol poisoning. Sticking to moderate alcohol intake within recommended limits and avoiding binge drinking is the safest approach. If drinking, stay hydrated, pace yourself, and arrange safe transportation. Remember that less is more when it comes to alcohol consumption and your health.