The PitchCount Journal

Drink mindfully. Read freely.

Clear-headed writing on drinking less, the science of alcohol, standard drinks, and living well with — or without — it.

The science

How many calories are in alcohol?

Alcohol carries about 7 calories per gram — roughly 98 calories per US standard drink before mixers and carbs. Here's how beer, wine, and spirits compare.

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PitchCount
Jun 19, 2026 · 4 min read
The science

How many standard drinks are in a 7% IPA?

A 16 oz pour of a 7% IPA is about 1.9 US standard drinks — nearly two. Here's the math, by can and by pint, and why hazy IPAs add up fast.

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PitchCount
Jun 19, 2026 · 4 min read
The science

What is a standard drink? The complete guide

A US standard drink is a fixed amount of pure alcohol — 0.6 fl oz (14 g), about one 12 oz beer, a 5 oz glass of wine, or a 1.5 oz shot. Here's how to count any drink accurately.

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PitchCount
Jun 19, 2026 · 5 min read