Alcohol content of a boilermaker (the American version)

[ffutures]

Can anyone give me a rough idea of the alcohol content of a Boilermaker as in this scene from the first Thor movie?

later - The answer appears to be that they are stronger than straight American beer, and a little stronger than most British beers, at around 8% alcohol.

So I've written the (minor) scene as follows:



Thor downed his third pint of Theakston’s Old Peculiar and said “Another!”

“Are you sure?” asked Darcy. “That stuff’s stronger than the beer we got in Puente Antiguo.”

“It is mild compared to the ales of Asgard. Or even the makers of boilers I drank in your land.”

“Your funeral. This stuff sneaks up on you.” She waved to Ian, who was queuing in front of one of the beer tents, and shouted “make that three more!”

“Three?” said Jane.

“One for me, of course.”

“I am not nursing you through another hangover.”

Comments

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

A boilermaker is just a large beer plus a shot of bourbon, so... Slightly more than an American beer?

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Boilermakers are usually blended whiskey, not bourbon, in a cheap bar.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I'm guesstimating around 8%, which is a little stronger than I thought.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

That looks like about 16 ounces of draft lager beer, which is 4.2 % to 5% by volume in most cheap US beers.

The shot of whiskey is traditionally 2 ounces, and usually a cheap bar whiskey like Dewars or Canadian club is 80 proof (40% by volume).

I am on my iPad so can't do the math (the iPad calculator is horrid).

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

OK, sounds like it comes out roughly 8%. Thanks, I need to change the story a little.

[dsample.livejournal.com]

The idea that American beer is weaker than British beer is largely a myth. Like British beer it comes in a wide variety of different strengths.

The effing close to water reputation of American beers (especially the mass marketed ones, like Budweiser and Coors) comes more from their bland taste, than their actual alcohol content.

Added later:

Regular Budweiser is 5%ABV, Bud Light is 4.2%, and Bud Platinum is 6%
Theakston Old Peculiar is 5.6%, most of their other beers are actually weaker than Bud Light

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I don't drink at all so I have no way to tell the myth from the reality. I might make it a stronger beer, the venue for this part of the story sells various real lanes ales.

oops - blame ipad autocorrect and sleepiness...

[dsample.livejournal.com]

5.6 is pretty strong for a beer. Median strength for British beer seems to be about 4.5.

Go much above 5.6 and the brewers are definitely placing alcohol content above taste in their criteria.