Units and calories in ale and stout

Get the facts about ale and stout and what you can do to cut back on the amount you drink.

What are the daily unit guidelines?
Things you can do to reduce the amount of ale you drink
Common ale and stouts in the UK

What are the daily unit guidelines for ale and stout?

Checking an ale's ABV (alcohol by volume) will give you a guide to how strong it us. The ABV tells you what percentage of the drink is made up of alcohol. For example, an ale with 5% ABV is 5% pure alcohol. The higher the percentage, the more alcohol is present.

Things you can do right now to reduce the amount of ale you are drinking

To stay on track, try these top tips:

1. Drink soft drinks between ales Drinking juice, cola or another soft option between drinks will help you stay hydrated and slow down the rate you're drinking. Ale drinkers appreciate the unique flavours in each brew, so a glass of water can help cleanse the palette between different drinks.

2. Look at the ABV The ABV, which you'll usually find on the pump at the pub or on the side of the can or bottle, is your at-a-glance guide to an ale's strength. Brands with higher ABVs have more alcohol, and more units – so think about choosing a half rather than a pint.

3. Opt out of rounds Drinking in rounds means that you're drinking at the speed of the fastest drinker, so you could be consuming your units faster than you'd like. Regain control, and maybe even save some cash, by buying your own drinks instead.

4. Give alcohol-free days a go If you drink regularly, your body starts to build up a tolerance to alcohol. This is one of the main reasons why it’s important to consider taking regular breaks from drinking. Test out having a break for yourself and see what positive results you notice.

5. Keep a drink diary If you choose to drink, recording exactly what you've drunk during the week will give you a great idea of whether you're within the guidelines. MyDrinkaware, our web-based drink tracking tool, is perfect for this.

Discover some more practical ways to cut back on ale with our tips on cutting down.