A Power Hour: How Much Beer Can You Handle?

Power Hour is a drinking game where players take a shot of beer every minute for an hour. This amounts to 60 shots of beer or 6-7 beers in total. It is a popular pre-drinking game before going out to bars and clubs. The game is often associated with a person's 21st birthday when they reach the legal drinking age in the United States. While it is a fun social drinking game, it is important to remember to always drink responsibly and be aware of the dangers of binge drinking.

Power Hour rules

Overview

Power Hour is a drinking game where the objective is to consume a specified number of alcohol shots within one hour. The standard game involves taking one shot of beer per minute for an hour, which totals 60 shots of beer.

Setup

• Players: Any number.
• Beverage: Beer is the usual choice, but other mild beverages can be used.
• Timer: A smartphone timer is typically used.
• Shot glasses: One per player.
• Drinks: Each player will need 6-7 beers, or 72 oz (2.1 L) of their chosen beverage.
• Music (optional): A playlist of around 15 songs lasting one minute each.

Rules

• Before starting, ensure all players have a full shot glass and easy access to their drinks.
• Start the timer and, when signalled, all players take their first shot together.
• After taking a shot, players refill their shot glasses ready for the next minute.
• Repeat this process for the full hour, or until players decide to stop.
• The game ends when the hour is up or all players have stopped, whichever comes first.

Variations

• Competitive variation: Players compete to see who can last the longest or consume the most shots.
• Team variation: Players form teams and compete to see which team can consume the most shots.
• Centurion Club: Players take 100 shots in 100 minutes.

Safety

• Do not play with hard liquor.
• Do not play multiple rounds.
• Ensure players have water and other non-alcoholic drinks.
• Do not play if you are already intoxicated, on medication, or a lightweight.

Power Hour variations

The Centurion or Century Club

The Centurion or Century Club is a more intense version of Power Hour. It involves taking 100 shots of beer over 100 minutes. This works out at 12.5 cans of beer in total. It is recommended that players pour small shots or take breaks during the game.

Team Play

Players can split into teams of roughly equal numbers or of equal "drinking ability". Each person on each team tries to drink as many shots as they can during the hour. The team that has the most beer at the end wins.

Movie or TV Clips

Instead of a music playlist, players can opt for a video playlist featuring short clips from movies or TV shows. These can be themed, such as comedies, action movies, or niche interests like intros from 90s kids' shows.

Power Hour Plus

Power Hour can be combined with other party games to keep the energy high and engage players who are not solely focused on drinking. For example, players can incorporate games like Flip Cup, Kings Cup, or Trivia.

Power Hour dangers

Power Hour is a drinking game where participants consume a specified number of alcohol shots within one hour. The standard version involves drinking one shot of beer per minute for an hour, which amounts to 60 shots of beer. However, there are variations, such as the Century Club, where the goal is to consume 100 shots of beer in 100 minutes.

While Power Hour may seem like a fun and harmless game, it poses several dangers due to the rapid and excessive consumption of alcohol:

Rapid Intoxication

The rate of alcohol consumption in Power Hour can lead to rapid intoxication. Within a short period, participants may experience impaired judgment, coordination, and motor skills. This can increase the risk of accidents, injuries, and dangerous behaviour.

High Blood Alcohol Content

The high number of drinks consumed in a short time can cause participants' blood alcohol content to reach dangerously high levels. This can lead to alcohol poisoning, respiratory depression, and, in extreme cases, even death.

Loss of Control

Power Hour can result in a loss of control over alcohol consumption. Participants may find themselves drinking more than they intended or are comfortable with. This loss of control can have dangerous consequences and increase the risk of alcohol-related harm.

Increased Risk of Alcohol-Related Harm

The rapid and excessive drinking associated with Power Hour increases the risk of various alcohol-related harms. These include alcohol poisoning, accidents, violence, risky behaviour, and long-term health issues such as liver damage and brain impairment.

Encouraging Dangerous Drinking Culture

Power Hour normalises and encourages a dangerous drinking culture. It promotes excessive drinking and can lead to a pattern of risky drinking behaviours. This can have negative social and health consequences, especially for young people who may be more susceptible to peer pressure and influenced by drinking norms.

Negative Impact on Health

Excessive alcohol consumption during Power Hour can have significant negative impacts on an individual's health. In addition to the immediate risks of alcohol poisoning and accidents, regular participation in Power Hour can increase the risk of long-term health issues such as liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and certain types of cancer.

Power Hour music

Power Hour is a drinking game where players consume 60 shots of beer in 60 minutes. To make the experience even more fun, it is recommended to play a different song for every shot taken. This calls for a carefully curated Power Hour playlist.

The music played during Power Hour should be upbeat and energetic to match the pace of the game and keep the players energised and excited. Songs with a strong bass line or rhythmic beats can help to create a fun and lively atmosphere. Think about the kind of music played in clubs or at parties, as this will encourage movement and a sense of celebration. Genres like hip-hop, rap, reggaeton, and EDM are all great choices for Power Hour.

When creating your Power Hour playlist, consider songs that are well-known and have a strong beat. For example, songs by artists like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, David Guetta, and Kid Cudi are all featured on existing Power Hour playlists. These artists have an extensive catalogue of songs to choose from, so you can find the perfect fit for your musical taste and the vibe you want to create.

Additionally, you can add variety to your playlist by including songs from different genres. For instance, if you want to take a trip down memory lane, there are Power Hour playlists featuring throwbacks like Lady Gaga, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and even Disney songs. You can also find playlists that focus on specific genres, like indie or classic rock, to change up the pace or cater to your personal preferences.

Power Hour alternatives

Power Hour is a drinking game where participants consume 60 shots of beer in 60 minutes, or one shot of beer per minute. This game is often played to celebrate a person's 21st birthday in the United States, as this is the legal drinking age.

• Century Club or Centurion: This alternative to Power Hour involves consuming 100 shots of beer in 100 minutes. This is not for the faint-hearted, as it amounts to 12.5 cans of beer.
• Team Power Hour: Played the same way as the original Power Hour, but with teams of roughly equal numbers or "drinking ability." Each person on each team tries to drink as many shots as they can, and at the end of the hour, the team that drank the most shots wins.
• Movie or TV Clips Power Hour: Instead of using a music playlist, search for a video playlist featuring short clips from movies or TV shows. Play this on a big screen where all players can watch and follow along.
• Non-Alcoholic Power Hour: For a fun twist, try playing Power Hour with non-alcoholic drinks. This can be a fun way to include people who don't drink alcohol or to add a challenge for those who want to test their endurance.

Remember to always drink responsibly and ensure you have a sober designated driver if you plan to travel after playing drinking games.

Frequently asked questions