With 2026 just 20 days away, excitement for New Year's resolutions, wishes, and vision boards is building, but what about the various myths that surround us? Today, let's ditch outdated myths, too, especially those about beer that cloud your enjoyment. At unsobered, we thought of debunking 7 common beer myths, so that you can sip smarter in the new year. Say goodbye to these misconceptions and hello to better brews.
Fact: No, Indian beer is not at all stronger than foreign beer. It is a myth rooted because of strong lagers like Haywards 500 or Kingfisher, which generally hit 6-8% ABV (Alcohol By Volume). But foreign beers actually crush this range as they reach 8.5% to 10% of ABV, especially German bocks and American craft IPAs. India’s strong beers are just market outliers and not superior because the global range is vast.
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Fact: This myth has no solid scientific backing. A single bottle of beer packs about 150 empty calories, and booze slows down fat burning because the liver in the human body prioritizes burning alcohol before fat. This can contribute to an increase in waist size, but this happens when there is an overall increase in body weight because of excess calorie consumption. So here, the lifestyle must be blamed, not the brew. (The National Library Of Medicine)
Fact: This is a big myth, as both of these drinks offer perks when consumed in moderation, but neither of them is superior to the other. Moderate consumption of beer is said to be good for stronger bones, while wine is good for the heart. Too much of both stresses your liver, raises blood pressure, and disrupts sleep. Hence, the bottom line is that health wins because of your lifestyle and not when you choose beer over wine.
Fact: The myth that drinking beer through a straw gets you drunk faster is false; the straw itself doesn't change how alcohol is absorbed into your blood. Alcohol hits your system based on the total amount drunk, your weight, food in your stomach, and pace, not the sipping method. So better sip slowly from a glass or straw. You must pace yourself to stay safe, as chugging any way invites trouble.
Fact: It is a myth that beer has no expiry date, though it does not get spoiled like milk; but it does lose its freshness and flavor over time. You must have seen an expiry date printed on bottles or cans of beer, which indicates that after this point, the beer’s flavors and freshness begin to fade, resulting in a weird taste. This happens mainly because light, heat, oxygen, and time cause "skunking."
Fact: No doctors do not recommend drinking beer to cure kidney stones. Beer's water content boosts urine flow to flush minerals, but alcohol actually acts as a diuretic, which basically causes dehydration that can worsen stone formation over time. The National Library of Medicine shows correlation because hops might inhibit stones mildly, but not causation.
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Fact: It is a myth because all the breweries and bartenders actually follow certain basics so that the beer looks good and also tastes good. There is no universal way of serving beer because every beer style has to be served differently to get the best of its flavors. Different types of beers must be served in different types of glasses in order to preserve the taste, smell, and carbonation.
Also Read: 5 Non-Alcoholic Christmas Drinks For Sober-Curious Indians
Check out these 7 beer myths and make sure you are not walking into 2026 with them. Also, share it with all your friends so that they can also sip their beer without second-guessing.
