Breweries are a popular trend that is continuing to expand all across the city and state. In fact, there are more than 160 craft beer breweries here in Indianapolis alone! If you plan on enjoying some specially-crafted beers on your next night out, there are some important considerations you need to know first.
Continue reading to learn why craft beers pose a certain danger on the road, and what you can do to avoid such trouble in the future.
Craft vs. Draft
Back in the day, most people drank draft beers, such as Coors™ or Budweiser™, since those were the primary options available on tap at the local bars. But now, beer-drinking patrons have the option of choosing from a vast selection of local breweries, whose owners craft their own unique styles of beer. As for comparing drafts to crafts, the major differences are fermentation style, taste, and price. However, one critical difference that is commonly overlooked is alcohol content. This happens to also play a major role in terms of drunk driving.
Craft Beers and Alcohol By Volume
Traditional draft beers, like Budweiser™ and Miller Light™, have a much lower Alcohol By Volume (ABV) content than the average craft beer. Draft beers range between 4 and 6 percent alcohol content, whereas craft beers can range between 7 and 18 percent alcohol content. So what does this mean for your next night out? It means that you should not drive home after consuming more than 1 craft beer.
For example, the Four Day Ray Brewery in Fishers offers a craft beer on tap called FALA Scotch Ale, which has an ABV of 7.8% per pint. They offer another called Grapefruit Track Jumper IPA India Pale Ale, which has an ABV of 6.8% per pint. Similarly, Mashcraft Brewing in Greenwood carries a Double IPA called 18th Street Overlords Revenge that has an ABV of 8% per pint.
Avoiding DUI’s
If you are a craft beer drinker, you should understand that the risk of being arrested on a drunk driving charge is much higher because they will get you more drunk than traditional beers on tap. For instance, the popular “1 drink per hour” rule would not work the same with craft beers as it would with domestic beers. One or two domestic beers might keep you within the legal limits to drive, but the same amount of craft beers will likely render you intoxicated under state law.
In Indiana, a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08% or more is strictly illegal. If you are pulled over by police, and your breathalyzer test reads more than 0.08 percent, you will be arrested on drunk driving charges. To avoid a DUI, be sure to inquire about ABV’s and keep track of how much you drink. Also, imagine that for each craft beer you drink, it is equal to two or three. When in doubt, even just a little, call a ride.