Alcohol measurements

A "standard drink" is used globally to quantify alcohol intake, though its definition varies widely by country.

Generally, any distilled alcoholic beverage of 170 US proof or higher is considered to be a neutral spirit.

[2] Most yeasts cannot reproduce when the concentration of alcohol is higher than about 18%, so that is the practical limit for the strength of fermented drinks such as wine, beer, and sake.

In the United Kingdom, serving size in licensed premises is regulated under the Weights and Measures Act (1985).

The United States adopted the British Wine Gallon (which had 128 fluid ounces) as standard.

The laws concerning the production and sale of alcohol stated that it had to be sold in portions of a gallon for tax purposes.

The bottles were later increased in size (Tenths and Fifths of a US gallon) to be equivalent to British Reputed Pints and Quarts, allowing them to be interchangeable for export.

The volume was rounded up to 750 mL and then was used as the base size for French wine containers, with all subdivisions and multiples figured from it.

The rest of the world followed suit with equivalent customary measurement versions of their own (like the British Reputed Quart).

Following metrication in 1980, American still wines can also be sold in large multi-liter containers, but only in full liters.

They are typically sold in glass demijohns or foil bag-in-box containers holding 4, 5, 7, 8, or 10 Liters.