Beer After Rum: What's The Best Drinking Order?

Drinking beer after rum is unlikely to have any significant effect on your health beyond the effects of consuming two alcoholic drinks. The popular saying, beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear, is widely considered to be a myth. The order in which you consume alcoholic beverages does not affect whether or not you will experience a hangover. Instead, the amount of alcohol consumed, the rate of consumption, and other factors such as food intake, hydration, and genetics play a more significant role in determining the severity of a hangover. Ultimately, drinking beer after rum, or any combination of alcoholic drinks, is a matter of personal preference, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear

The popular saying, "Beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear," refers to the idea that drinking alcoholic beverages in a specific order may help you avoid a hangover. However, despite numerous theories and subjective experiences, there is little scientific evidence to support this claim.

One theory suggests that drinking beer before liquor may cause sickness due to the carbonation in beer. Carbonated drinks can irritate the stomach lining, increasing the rate of alcohol absorption. As a result, starting with beer and then consuming liquor may lead to a faster spike in blood alcohol levels, potentially contributing to a hangover. On the other hand, some people believe that starting with liquor and ending with beer may slow down these spikes, potentially reducing hangover severity.

Another factor to consider is the pace and volume of consumption. Drinking liquor first may lead to a quicker decrease in inhibition, encouraging higher consumption. In contrast, starting with beer may help monitor the amount of alcohol and sugar entering your system, as liquor often has higher alcohol and sugar content. Additionally, drinking beer first may lead to faster intoxication due to the larger volume consumed, potentially resulting in drinking more liquor than intended.

While the order of drinks may not be a significant factor, other aspects can influence the risk of a hangover. These include the total amount of alcohol consumed, drinking on an empty stomach, frequency of drinking, genetics, congeners in drinks, and smoking.

In conclusion, while the saying provides a catchy rhyme, the key to avoiding sickness or a hangover lies in moderation, pacing, and being mindful of one's overall consumption and personal health factors.

The amount of alcohol matters more than the order

The idea that drinking beer after rum, or vice versa, will have an impact on how sick you get is a myth. The popular phrase, "beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear," is just that—a phrase with no scientific backing. The order in which you consume your drinks is unlikely to influence whether you experience a hangover the next day.

The amount of alcohol you consume is a more critical factor in determining the severity of a hangover. High blood alcohol levels are more likely to induce a hangover than low blood alcohol levels. Regardless of whether you drink beer or rum first, if you consume a large quantity of alcohol, you are more likely to experience a hangover.

The myth that drinking beer before liquor will make you sicker may have originated from the way our bodies digest alcohol. Carbonated drinks like beer and sparkling wine can irritate the lining of the stomach, increasing the rate of alcohol absorption. However, this does not mean that drinking liquor before beer will prevent a hangover.

Additionally, drinking on an empty stomach can also contribute to more severe hangovers. Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach causes it to move quickly from the stomach to the intestines, where it can be absorbed more rapidly, leading to spiked blood alcohol levels. Eating before drinking can help slow down the absorption of alcohol, but it won't prevent drunkenness or completely eliminate the risk of a hangover.

In conclusion, while the order of drinking beer and rum may be a topic of discussion, it is important to remember that the amount of alcohol consumed matters more than the order. To reduce the risk of a hangover, it is essential to monitor your overall alcohol intake and practice responsible drinking.

Carbonated drinks irritate the stomach lining

Drinking beer after rum is unlikely to make you feel sick, despite the popular saying, "beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear." The order of drinks does not matter; it's the amount you drink that will make you sick. However, carbonated drinks, like beer, can irritate the stomach lining, so it's important to understand how they may affect you.

Carbonated drinks can irritate the stomach lining by filling your stomach with gas. When you drink a carbonated beverage, you swallow air along with the liquid, which can cause stomach pain. This is similar to the effects of eating or drinking too fast. The gas from carbonation can also lead to bloating, fullness, and nausea. It can take hours for the gas to pass, and some people find this extremely uncomfortable.

Carbonated drinks can also contain additives that irritate the stomach. Some carbonated beverages contain caffeine and added sugars, which can have negative health effects. Caffeine can irritate the stomach, especially if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Sugary sodas are high in empty calories and contribute to obesity and related health risks. Artificial sweeteners in diet sodas can also cause digestive issues, such as diarrhea, and disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to inflammation and discomfort.

Additionally, carbonated drinks may aggravate existing digestive conditions. While they are not known to cause gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or IBS, they can worsen symptoms for people with these conditions. The carbonation and acidity may aggravate GERD, and the bloating and gas from carbonation may trigger IBS flare-ups.

In conclusion, while drinking beer after rum won't make you sick due to the order of drinks, the carbonation in beer can irritate the stomach lining and cause discomfort, especially for those with digestive sensitivities or conditions.

Pacing is key

The idea that drinking beer after rum will make you feel worse than drinking them in the opposite order is a myth. Many people believe that starting with a "softer" drink like beer and then moving on to liquor will make you sick, but this isn't true. It's also not true that drinking them in the opposite order will "clear" you.

The amount of alcohol you drink is a more important factor in determining how you'll feel the next day. Drinking too much of any alcohol, too quickly, can make you sick. Pacing yourself is the best way to avoid feeling unwell.

There are other factors that can affect how you feel after drinking, besides the amount and pace of your drinking. Drinking on an empty stomach, for example, can make you drunk more quickly, and increase the likelihood of a hangover. Eating before drinking can slow your body's absorption of alcohol, but it won't prevent drunkenness.

Drinking water can also help to slow down your drinking and reduce the likelihood of a hangover. Try alternating each alcoholic drink with a glass of water, and be sure to drink a large glass before you go to bed.

Drinking on an empty stomach is a bad idea

While drinking beer after rum may not be inherently dangerous, drinking on an empty stomach is not recommended. Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach and intestines, and drinking without eating can speed up this process, leading to a faster rise in blood alcohol levels. This can intensify the side effects of drinking, such as impaired coordination and slowed brain function, and increase the risk of alcohol poisoning.

When you drink on a full stomach, the food acts as a barrier, slowing down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. This gives your body more time to metabolise the alcohol and can reduce the severity of its effects. Eating before drinking can also help prevent nausea and vomiting, which are common side effects of drinking on an empty stomach.

The amount of alcohol consumed is more important than the order in which drinks are consumed. However, drinking beer after rum may be safer than the reverse, as beer has a lower alcohol content than rum. Starting with a drink that has a higher alcohol content can lead to a faster loss of inhibition and increased consumption.

Drinking on an empty stomach can also increase the risk of developing a condition known as 'drunkorexia'. This involves starving during the day to compensate for the calories consumed while drinking, and it can lead to nutritional deficiencies and weight gain.

To minimise the risks associated with drinking, it is advisable to eat a meal at least an hour before consuming alcohol. It is also important to drink in proportion to your personal tolerance, avoid drinking too much or too quickly, and alternate alcoholic drinks with water.

Frequently asked questions