Answer :
Final answer:
The standard drink sizes are 12 oz for beer, 5 oz for wine, and 1.5 oz for hard liquor. Fermented beverages like beer and wine contain up to approximately 16% alcohol due to yeast's alcohol tolerance limit. Liquor with higher alcohol content can be produced through the process of distillation.
Explanation:
The standard alcoholic beverages measurements for one drink are generally considered to be:
- 12 ounces of beer
- 5 ounces of wine
- 1.5 ounces of hard liquor
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is B) 12 oz beer, 5 oz wine, 1.5 oz hard liquor.
Alcohol in wine and beer can only be approximately 16% because of the limitations of natural fermentation, where yeasts convert sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Yeasts can only survive in a limited range of alcohol concentrations, usually up to 15-16% by volume, beyond which they die, halting the fermentation process.
For liquor with higher concentrations of alcohol, a process called distillation is used. Distillation involves heating the fermented liquid to a temperature that vaporizes the alcohol, which is then condensed and collected. This allows for production of spirits like vodka, whiskey, and rum with much higher alcohol content, often around 40% by volume or higher.
It is important to note that adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink, or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less in a day for women. Additionally, some adults, such as pregnant women, should not consume alcohol at all.
