The Science of Stronger Beer. (riddle me this)

[Ironclad]

Drunkenness, it's great right!

Riddle me this, please. In the UofK we generally have lager in two strengths, 4% & 5%.
Now why is it that I can drink quite a lot of the 4% but the stronger fvcks me up. I get pissed quite quickly and my brain suffers.
But all over 1%.. how so? Is it really just down to the ABV or?

[Feck]

25 % more ethanol ...

I don't check the ABv of my home brew but the recipe seems to be coming out somewhere about 8% judging by it's falling down power .

[tattuchu]

The real question here is, Why in god's name are you drinking lager?

[Ironclad]

I'm not. Honest. It was for the European and Merkin brothers and sisters *whispers* so they could understand you see.

25 % more ethanol ...

huh?

[GreyICE]

5% is 25% more than 4%. Thus, it's 25% stronger, and you get drunk faster.

The effects of alcohol are also mediated by psychology. Think that the stronger beer is stronger and you will get drunk faster. Ever 'sobered up?' Some of that is adrenaline (possibly the most powerful stimulant known to man, certainly makes amphetamines and cocaine look like sugar) but the rest is just in your head.

[Ironclad]

5% is 25% more than 4%. Thus, it's 25% stronger, and you get drunk faster.

That simple eh! Not 1% stronger...

*math was never my strong point*