Which beverage category contains the least amount of absolute alcohol by volume?

Which beverage category contains the least amount of absolute alcohol by volume?

• A. Beer
• B. Fortified wine
• C. Wine
• D. Distilled spirits

Answer: (A)

Absolute alcohol by volume measures how much of a drink’s total volume is pure ethanol. Among common beverages, beer typically has the lowest ABV, around 4–6%. Wine usually runs higher, about 12–14%, because fermentation of grapes yields more alcohol per volume. Fortified wines mix in additional distilled spirits, pushing ABV into the mid-teens or higher (roughly 15–22%). Distilled spirits are produced by concentrating alcohol through distillation, often reaching 40% ABV or more. Because beer is brewed to be lighter in alcohol, it contains the least absolute alcohol by volume of these categories.

Absolute alcohol by volume measures how much of a drink’s total volume is pure ethanol. Among common beverages, beer typically has the lowest ABV, around 4–6%. Wine usually runs higher, about 12–14%, because fermentation of grapes yields more alcohol per volume. Fortified wines mix in additional distilled spirits, pushing ABV into the mid-teens or higher (roughly 15–22%). Distilled spirits are produced by concentrating alcohol through distillation, often reaching 40% ABV or more. Because beer is brewed to be lighter in alcohol, it contains the least absolute alcohol by volume of these categories.