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what does 80 proof mean?
- Thread starter Aphrodite
- Start date
Mr_Furious
TRIBE Member
Im pretty sure it is.
Generally, when the "proof" of an alcohol solution is used, one is dealing with a solution of mainly alcohol (that's ethyl or grain alcohol) in water. The value of the "proof" is exactly twice the percentage of alcohol in the solution. Pure alcohol is "200 proof." A solution that is 43% alcohol would be "86 proof."
The percentage of alcohol in a water solution (and thus the "proof") is usually determined using a hydrometer, a device that measures the density (or the specific gravity to be more precise) of the solution. As the percentage of alcohol in a solution increases, the density decreases because alcohol has a lower density that water. The hydrometer is a floating device that has a long stem that sticks out of the solution. As the density of the solution decreases the hydrometer sinks further into the liquid. The amount of the stem that sticks out of the solution is a measure of the percentage of alcohol or the proof - the more of the stem that sticks out of the solution, the lower the "proof".
It is interesting how the word "proof" became used for the amount of alcohol. Back in the old days (pretty far back) when people were making and selling alcoholic beverages, there was a concern for just how much alcohol was in them. Those which had more alcohol were prized. A qualitative test was developed. Some of the alcoholic beverage was poured onto some black powder and an attempt was made to ignite the powder. If the liquid had too much water in it, the powder would not ignite. If the powder did ignite, this was "proof" that it had a high enough amount of alcohol in it.
The percentage of alcohol in a water solution (and thus the "proof") is usually determined using a hydrometer, a device that measures the density (or the specific gravity to be more precise) of the solution. As the percentage of alcohol in a solution increases, the density decreases because alcohol has a lower density that water. The hydrometer is a floating device that has a long stem that sticks out of the solution. As the density of the solution decreases the hydrometer sinks further into the liquid. The amount of the stem that sticks out of the solution is a measure of the percentage of alcohol or the proof - the more of the stem that sticks out of the solution, the lower the "proof".
It is interesting how the word "proof" became used for the amount of alcohol. Back in the old days (pretty far back) when people were making and selling alcoholic beverages, there was a concern for just how much alcohol was in them. Those which had more alcohol were prized. A qualitative test was developed. Some of the alcoholic beverage was poured onto some black powder and an attempt was made to ignite the powder. If the liquid had too much water in it, the powder would not ignite. If the powder did ignite, this was "proof" that it had a high enough amount of alcohol in it.
yes.
this will help explain - http://www.commoncold.org/undrstn3.htm
try google.com , it usually helps answering most questions.
Subsonic Chronic
TRIBE Member
94 proof or 94 percent?
There's a huge difference between the two. One is stronger than absynthe, the other is still stronger than most hard liquors.
Pete
Fir3start3r
TRIBE Member
I had 150 proof on the Christmas holidays (not my 1st choice)...ICK...two words...paint....thinner...
Jamaican 151 proof rum is the devil itself - great in rum punch though (careful how much you use!)
One night, me and a friend decided to get adventurous and drink 151 and coke. I drank 3/4 of a 750 mL bottle of the stuff - didn't puke but had the craziest glow imaginable - ended up doing snow angels out back of a girlfriend's place in a T-shirt and shorts. Wasn't even cold, either.
If someone could figure out the exact equivalent of what I drank in normal booze terms (beer or 80 proof booze), I would be grateful.
Here's as far as I got before having to go back to work...
3/4 of 750mL = 562mL of 75.5 percent alchohol.
Now what?
d
One night, me and a friend decided to get adventurous and drink 151 and coke. I drank 3/4 of a 750 mL bottle of the stuff - didn't puke but had the craziest glow imaginable - ended up doing snow angels out back of a girlfriend's place in a T-shirt and shorts. Wasn't even cold, either.
If someone could figure out the exact equivalent of what I drank in normal booze terms (beer or 80 proof booze), I would be grateful.
Here's as far as I got before having to go back to work...
3/4 of 750mL = 562mL of 75.5 percent alchohol.
Now what?
Soundstream
TRIBE Member
Assuming that you use 5.5% as the alcoholic content of a beer (a good average to use in my opinion), and assuming that there are 330 ml of beer in a bottle, then the amount of rum that you drank is equivalent to 7.714 litres of beer, or about 23.4 beers. Almost a full case. Way to go!
Cheers ... Ian
Well, alcoholic beverages were also TAXED according to their alcohol content ... back in the day. So again, measuring the concentration has always been an important science.
Speaking of which ... can anyone provide insight into the long-standing debate regarding Canadian vs American beer? I've heard the argument that American beer isn't necessarily weaker because they measure alcohol content differently (ie. 5% in Canada does not equal 5% in the States)
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AdRiaN
I've had this before, it's pretty potent. It's stronger than absynthe and 151 Jamaican rum. The only thing I've had that's stronger is grain alcohol from Indiana. That was a horrible experience; 2-3 ounces, no mix, did it like a shot. Felt like somebody had lit me on fire.
Bumbaclat
Ditto Much
TRIBE Member
Yes Here goes...
The alcoholic strength of wine the world over and beer almost everywhere outside of the United States is measured by volume. The U.S. legal standard is by weight For instance, a beer that is 3.2% by weight is about 4% by volume.
abw * 1.25 = abv
avv * 0.8 = abw
MY GOD MY LIFE IS TRIVIAL!!!!