Make My Drink A Bit Stronger Please

The standard size for alcoholic drinks is 5 ounces for wine, 12 ounces for beer and 1.5 ounces for spirits. Using those formulas, consumers should be able to monitor their alcoholic intake, right? Fat chance.

A new study shows that alcoholic drinks served in bars and restaurants are often larger than the standard size and contain more alcohol. The study, published online this week in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, examined 480 drinks poured in 80 establishments in 10 Northern California counties. The average glass of wine was 43% larger than standard, and the average mixed drink was 42% larger. The average draft beer was 22% larger. The authors, from the Alcohol Research Group at the Public Health Institute, also found that the alcohol content varied widely in drinks.  Those who think they have had four drinks may, in fact, have had six, they noted.

Maybe this explains why I get so incredibly wasted every time I go out to the Bay Area. Since the economy is in such bad shape for us regular folks, maybe the clubs down here should take note and help us get more drunk with less drinks. Check out the full article at the L.A. Times Blog site.