What is a unit?

Hi All,

Following on from last weeks blog about how many units your allowed to drink, I got a load of e-mails asking what exactly a unit was…So here is Tom’s short guide.

Beer

• A premium pint of lager, bitter or cider (5%) contains 3 units
• A ordinary strength pint of lager, bitter or cider (3-4%) contains 2 units

Wine

• A large 250ml glass of wine (12%) contains 3 units
• A standard 175ml glass of wine (12%) contains 2 units (Many pubs and bars call this a ‘small’ glass)

Spirits

• A large double measure of spirits (2 x 35ml at 40%) contains 3 units
• A large single measure of spirits (1 x 35ml at 40%) contains 1.5 units
• A small double measure of spirits (2 x 25ml at 40%) contains 2 units
• A small single measure of spirits (1 x 25ml at 40%) contains 1 unit

Alcopops

• A 275ml bottle of alcopop (5%) contains 1.5 units

To be sure though just check the side of the container that your alcohol comes in, UK law now staes that the number of units per bottle/can must be clearly stated on the side.

Hope this helps!

TOM