How much alcohol is contained in a standard 12-ounce beer, 5-ounce glass of wine, and 1.5-ounce serving of 80-proof liquor?

The correct answer is that each beverage contains about 1/2 ounce of alcohol.

In standard measurements, a 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a 1.5-ounce serving of 80-proof liquor are all considered to have roughly the same alcohol content. Specifically, each of these servings contains approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol, which translates to about 0.6 ounces. For simplicity in many contexts, this is often rounded to about 1/2 ounce of alcohol.

This equivalency is important for understanding how alcohol consumption can be measured and compared across different types of alcoholic beverages, particularly in relation to driving laws and personal health considerations. The idea that each serves the same function in terms of alcohol strength emphasizes responsible drinking and awareness of one's limits, especially for young or new drivers operating under specific regulations like those for junior operators in Massachusetts.