The age-old adage “beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you’re in the clear” has been passed down through generations of drinkers. This popular saying suggests that the order in which you consume alcoholic beverages can determine whether you’ll suffer from a hangover the next morning.
But is there any scientific truth to this widespread belief, or is it simply another drinking myth? Let’s explore what research tells us about drinking order and hangovers, and what actually matters when it comes to preventing that dreaded morning-after misery.
Understanding the “Beer Before Liquor” Saying
This catchy rhyme has become deeply embedded in drinking culture, particularly among young adults and college students. The saying implies that if you start your evening with beer and then switch to hard liquor, you’re more likely to experience severe hangover symptoms. Conversely, it suggests that beginning with liquor and finishing with beer will help you avoid feeling sick.
While the exact origins of this phrase remain unclear, it has persisted for decades, with many people claiming personal experiences that seem to validate the warning.
Where Did This Belief Come From?
Several theories attempt to explain why this saying became so popular:
The Natural Progression Theory: Many social drinkers naturally start their evening with lower-alcohol beverages like beer or wine, gradually moving to stronger drinks as the night progresses. When they feel terrible the next day, they may attribute their hangover to the order of consumption rather than the total amount consumed.
The Blood Alcohol Spike Theory: Some believe that liquor’s higher alcohol concentration can cause rapid spikes in blood alcohol levels. According to this theory, drinking liquor at the end of an evening—when you’ve already been drinking for hours—might push your already-elevated blood alcohol content over the edge, resulting in worse hangover symptoms.
The Carbonation Theory: Beer contains carbonation, which some people believe might speed up alcohol absorption when consumed before liquor. However, this theory lacks substantial scientific support.
What Does Science Say About Drinking Order?
Despite the popularity of this saying, scientific research suggests that drinking order has little to no impact on hangover severity. Here’s why:
Alcohol Absorption Works the Same Way: Regardless of what type of alcoholic beverage you consume, alcohol begins entering your bloodstream as soon as it reaches your stomach and small intestine. By the time you experience hangover symptoms—typically several hours after your last drink—all the alcohol you consumed will have already been absorbed and processed by your body.
Total Alcohol Matters Most: The primary factor determining hangover severity is the total amount of alcohol you consume, not the order in which you drink different types. Your body doesn’t distinguish between alcohol from beer versus alcohol from spirits when it comes to processing and eliminating it from your system.
Research Evidence: A study examining this exact question found no significant difference in hangover severity based on drinking order. Participants who drank beer before liquor experienced similar hangover symptoms to those who drank liquor before beer when total alcohol consumption was controlled.
The Real Factors That Influence Hangovers
If drinking order doesn’t matter, what actually determines whether you’ll wake up with a pounding headache and nausea? Here are the scientifically-supported factors that truly affect hangover risk and severity:
Total Alcohol Consumption
The amount of alcohol you drink is the single most important factor. Higher blood alcohol concentrations lead to more severe hangovers. Generally, consuming more than one standard drink per hour increases your risk significantly.
Food Intake
Drinking on an empty stomach allows alcohol to move quickly from your stomach to your small intestine, where it’s absorbed rapidly into your bloodstream. This leads to faster and higher blood alcohol spikes. Eating before and during drinking slows alcohol absorption and can reduce hangover severity.
Hydration Status
Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production and can lead to dehydration. Dehydration contributes significantly to hangover symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. Not drinking enough water before, during, and after alcohol consumption makes hangovers worse.
Drinking Frequency and Tolerance
Regular heavy drinkers may develop some tolerance to alcohol’s immediate effects, but this doesn’t protect against hangovers. In fact, frequent heavy drinking may actually worsen hangover symptoms over time.
Congeners Content
Congeners are chemical compounds produced during alcohol fermentation and aging. Darker liquors like whiskey, brandy, and red wine contain higher levels of congeners compared to clear spirits like vodka or gin. Research shows that beverages with more congeners tend to produce worse hangovers.
Sleep Quality and Duration
Alcohol disrupts normal sleep patterns, reducing REM sleep and overall sleep quality. Poor sleep amplifies hangover symptoms like fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and mood disturbances.
Genetic Factors
Your genetic makeup influences how your body metabolizes alcohol and responds to its effects. Some people are simply more prone to hangovers than others, regardless of their drinking behaviors. Interestingly, research suggests that approximately 25% of people who drink alcohol rarely or never experience hangovers.
Smoking
Studies indicate that people who smoke while drinking are more likely to experience severe hangovers compared to non-smokers who consume the same amount of alcohol.
Mixing Different Types of Alcohol
While the order doesn’t matter, mixing various types of alcoholic beverages might make it harder to track how much you’re actually drinking, potentially leading to overconsumption.
Effective Strategies to Prevent Hangovers
Since drinking order isn’t the key to avoiding hangovers, what strategies actually work? Here are evidence-based approaches:
Moderate Your Consumption
The most effective way to prevent a hangover is to drink in moderation or abstain entirely. Pace yourself by limiting alcohol intake to no more than one standard drink per hour, and set a maximum number of drinks for the evening.
Eat Before and During Drinking
Consume a substantial meal before you start drinking, and continue eating throughout the evening. Foods high in protein and healthy fats are particularly effective at slowing alcohol absorption.
Stay Hydrated
Alternate alcoholic beverages with water or non-alcoholic drinks. A good rule of thumb is to drink one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage consumed. Before going to bed, drink additional water to help counteract alcohol’s dehydrating effects.
Choose Your Drinks Wisely
Opt for beverages with fewer congeners when possible. Clear spirits generally produce milder hangovers compared to darker liquors and red wine.
Avoid Smoking
If you drink alcohol, avoid smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products, as this combination increases hangover severity.
Get Adequate Sleep
Allow yourself plenty of time to sleep after drinking. While alcohol-induced sleep may not be as restorative as normal sleep, getting sufficient rest still helps your body recover.
Consider Your Medications
Some medications interact with alcohol and can worsen hangovers or cause serious health complications. If you take any medications regularly, consult with your healthcare provider about safe alcohol consumption levels.
Common Hangover Myths Debunked
Along with the “beer before liquor” myth, several other misconceptions about hangovers persist:
“Hair of the dog” works: Drinking more alcohol the next morning doesn’t cure a hangover—it simply delays symptoms while adding more alcohol to your system.
Coffee cures hangovers: While caffeine might temporarily improve alertness, it doesn’t address the underlying causes of hangovers and may worsen dehydration.
Mixing drinks causes worse hangovers: It’s not the mixing itself but rather the increased difficulty in tracking total alcohol consumption when mixing that leads to problems.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While hangovers are generally uncomfortable but harmless, certain symptoms warrant medical attention. Seek help if you experience:
- Severe vomiting that prevents keeping down fluids
- Confusion or difficulty staying conscious
- Seizures
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Low body temperature or pale/bluish skin
- Symptoms lasting more than 24 hours
These could indicate alcohol poisoning or other serious complications requiring immediate medical care.
The Bottom Line
The popular saying “beer before liquor, never been sicker” is essentially a myth with no scientific backing. The order in which you consume different types of alcoholic beverages has minimal impact on whether you’ll experience a hangover or how severe it will be.
What truly matters is the total amount of alcohol you consume, along with factors like food intake, hydration status, beverage congener content, sleep quality, and individual genetic factors. If you choose to drink alcohol, the most effective strategies for avoiding hangovers are drinking in moderation, staying well-hydrated, eating before and during drinking, and getting adequate sleep.
Remember that the only guaranteed way to avoid a hangover is to abstain from alcohol entirely or drink in strict moderation. If you find yourself frequently experiencing severe hangovers or have concerns about your alcohol consumption, consider speaking with a healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
Sources:
- National Institutes of Health – Alcohol Absorption and Metabolism
- National Institutes of Health – Hangover Research
- National Institutes of Health – Factors Affecting Hangover Severity
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Alcohol
⚕️ Medical Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information provided has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, taking supplements, or starting any health regimen. Individual results may vary.