How Much Alcohol Is In Budweiser Beer?

how much alcohol is in budweiser beer
Joe | Last Updated: October 20, 2023
I'm Joe, a veteran bartender with over a decade in the industry and a burning passion for mixing drinks.

Budweiser is a popular beer brand that is enjoyed by millions all over the world, and it’s so good that it’s become the most popular and go-to bottled beer for Americans.

Whilst almost all of us are familiar with the delicious taste of Budweiser, there’s a lot of confusion around the amount of alcohol it contains.

So how much alcohol is in Budweiser?

It’s a valid question that’s important to know if you plan on consuming this beer, so whether you’re a seasoned Bud drinker or are just starting out, this post has all the information you need around this topic.

By the end of this post, you’ll know everything there is to know about the alcohol percentage contained in Budweiser.

So let’s get to it…

How Much Alcohol Is In Budweiser?

The standard 12oz bottle of Budweiser contains 5% AbV (alcohol by volume), which means for every bottle you drink, there are 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol.

This is just about average for a bottle of its size, with a bottle of Corona having 4.8% AbV and a bottle of Coors Light having 4.2% AbV.

In countries outside of the United States, you may find that Budweiser has less alcohol, for example, in the United Kingdom and Canada, the AbV is about 4.5%, so slightly lower than the US.

how much alcohol is in Budweiser
Photo by Heshan Perera

This is because the alcohol content is often regulated by government bodies, meaning the amount of alcohol can vary in drinks depending on the country’s laws and regulations.

In addition to the 12-ounce bottle, Budweiser is also available in other sizes such as 16-ounce cans, 22-ounce bottles, and 40-ounce bottles.

The AbV remains at 5% for all sizes of Budweiser, but the total amount of alcohol increases per serving, for instance, a 16-ounce can contain 0.8% of pure alcohol due to its larger size.

>> Read more: 41 Super INTERESTING Beer Statistics

Is Budweiser High In Alcohol?

No, Budweiser is not considered to be high in alcohol when compared to other beverages, with around 5% being the industry standard for most beers.

When compared to spirits like gin, whiskey, and vodka which can have up to 40% and 50% AbV, beer clearly has a much lower alcohol content as is not as strong.

This is great if you’re someone who likes beer as you’ll be able to a lot more Budweiser than you would say vodka and cokes, but beer is also higher in calories so it’s not the best option if you’re watching your figure.

But even in the beer category, there are many beers that have AbVs as high as 67.5% such as Snake Venom Ale, but this is one of the highest AbV beers in the world.

One of these and you’re out for the count!

In general, beers in the US typically have a relatively low alcohol content level due to the brewing process, the type of ingredients used, and the regulations governing the beer industry.

So whilst it’s clear that a couple of Budweisers isn’t going to have you rolling around on the floor, it’s important to remember to always drink carefully and responsibly.

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a whole host of negative consequences, so always drink in moderation no matter how tasty the beer is.

>> Read more: how much alcohol is in Disaronno?

Is Budweiser Strong?

Nope, as mentioned earlier Budweiser is not considered a strong beer and is around the same alcohol content levels as most other beers in America, including Corona and Coors Light.

It doesn’t have a particularly strong or intense taste either and is relatively smooth with a clean and crisp taste, especially if opting for Bud Light.

how much alcohol is in budweiser
Photo by C Jyun

Regular Budweiser has a mild hoppy flavor with a subtle sweetness that makes this drink nice and refreshing, especially on a hot summer’s day.

Budweiser has a number of different beverages that can have slightly more alcohol than others, such as Budweiser Black Crown which is 6% as opposed to 5%.

I’ve had my fair share of Budweisers over the years and can confidently say that it’s not particularly strong, however, it’s tasty which means it’s easy to fall into the trap of drinking one too many.

Strong drinks often have a kick that makes you hesitant upon drinking them, whereas Budweiser goes down the hatch smoothly whilst this is nice, it can be dangerous if you’re not keeping track.

>> Read more: how much alcohol is in a Jager bomb?

Bud Light vs Bud Regular

Budweiser has many different types of beers, but the most popular are Budweiser regular (heavy) and Budweiser light, similar to the heavy just with slightly less alcohol.

Let’s take a look at how the two notorious Budweiser drinks match up.

Bud Light

Budweiser Light has been the most popular beer in America for over 20 years, and for good reason.

It’s smooth, tasty, and has less alcohol content than the regular at 3.5% AbV, meaning you can drink more of them than the regular Budweiser.

Perfect if you’re a big beer drinker!

The drink is also marketed as a “light” beer that has fewer calories and fewer carbohydrates than other beers, making it popular among drinkers who are watching their calories.

how much alcohol is in budweiser
Image by Khush N

Budweiser is also a well-established brand that has been around since 1876, so it’s trusted and its beers are widely available worldwide.

So when they bring out a beer that is low in calories and backed behind Budweiser’s incredible marketing, there’s no wonder it doesn’t stay on the shelves for very long.

Bud Regular

Budweiser regular is a real traditional American beer that has a long history of brewing in the United States, it’s very much a household “name” at this point.

Those that have drunk Budweiser before can likely see why it’s so popular, from its affordability, consistency, and taste, it’s a beer that has a lot to offer.

The flavor profile of Budweiser regular is mild and balanced which appeals to the masses, in fact, I don’t know many people that don’t enjoy a good Budweiser every once in a while.

I think a big reason why Budweiser is so popular is because of its genius marketing and how long the brand has been around.

Most of us have grown up with Budweiser being around, and once we hit the ripe age of 21 we’re straight off to the liquor store to try it out with no looking back.

Wrapping Up

Tu sum up, Budweiser has an alcohol content level of 5% which is about average for most American beers including Corona and Coors Light.

It’s not particularly strong and they have a “light” version which is perfect for those that are watching their calories but still enjoy a beer.

Budweiser is a balanced drink that tastes delicious and people all around the world enjoy, whether it’s regular or light, it’s the go-to beer for many Americans.

Thanks for learning more about the alcohol content of Budweiser today and I hope you’ve learned something new about this tasty beer!

Remember, always drink responsibly and with care, and NEVER drink drive.

Stay safe.