The query of beverage consumption order, particularly prioritizing beer or distilled spirits, is a standard consideration associated to alcohol tolerance and perceived aftereffects. This issues the sequence by which drinks with differing alcohol content material are consumed, typically with the underlying aim of mitigating potential discomfort. Whereas particular person experiences can range, the underlying precept revolves across the fee of alcohol absorption and subsequent physiological responses.
Traditionally, anecdotal proof and folks knowledge have recommended that the order of alcoholic beverage consumption impacts the severity of hangovers. The idea is rooted within the various concentrations of alcohol, congeners (chemical substances produced throughout fermentation and distillation), and sugars current in numerous drinks. Some contend that consuming drinks with decrease alcohol concentrations earlier than these with larger concentrations prepares the physique for processing alcohol, whereas others posit the reverse. Nonetheless, scientific consensus signifies that the overall quantity of alcohol consumed is the first determinant of hangover severity, whatever the order.
The next sections will delve into the physiological mechanisms at play when consuming alcoholic drinks in numerous sequences, inspecting the purported rationale behind numerous approaches, and exploring evidence-based views on managing the consumption of beer and distilled spirits to attenuate undesirable results.
1. Absorption Fee
The speed at which alcohol enters the bloodstream is a key determinant within the perceived results of blending beer and liquor, instantly influencing the query of optimum consumption order. This physiological course of dictates how rapidly the physique is subjected to alcohol’s affect, affecting intoxication ranges and subsequent aftereffects.
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Carbonation and Gastric Emptying
Carbonated drinks, equivalent to beer, can speed up gastric emptying. This implies the abdomen contents are propelled into the small gut extra quickly. As a result of alcohol is primarily absorbed within the small gut, elevated gastric emptying can result in a quicker rise in blood alcohol focus (BAC), regardless of whether or not beer is consumed earlier than or after liquor. Nonetheless, the preliminary impact is extra pronounced if liquor follows the beer because of the elevated floor space for absorption within the small gut already ready by the prior beer consumption.
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Focus Gradient
Liquor, possessing a better alcohol focus, creates a steeper focus gradient throughout the intestinal lining. This gradient facilitates a faster diffusion of alcohol into the bloodstream in comparison with the comparatively decrease focus in beer. Thus, consuming liquor first can result in a fast preliminary spike in BAC. The physique is rapidly uncovered to the upper alcohol content material. Nonetheless, the general affect relies upon largely on the quantity and power of what’s subsequently consumed.
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Meals Presence
The presence of meals within the abdomen considerably alters the absorption fee. Meals, notably fat and proteins, slows gastric emptying and gives a bodily barrier, decreasing the speed at which alcohol comes into contact with the intestinal lining. Due to this fact, no matter whether or not beer or liquor is consumed first, consuming beforehand will reasonable the absorption fee of each, decreasing the distinction of their affect.
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Particular person Physiology
Particular person variations in physiology, equivalent to physique weight, metabolism, and enzyme exercise, play an important function in alcohol absorption. An individual with a better physique weight or a quicker metabolism might course of alcohol extra effectively, mitigating the perceived variations between consuming beer or liquor first. Conversely, somebody with decrease enzyme exercise would possibly expertise a chronic and intensified impact whatever the consumption order, making the selection of sequence much less impactful than total amount.
Due to this fact, the notion of whether or not to devour beer or liquor first is inextricably linked to the absorption fee. Whereas elements like carbonation and focus gradients can affect this fee, the presence of meals and particular person physiology are essential moderators. Finally, the first driver of intoxication and its aftereffects stays the overall amount of alcohol consumed, overshadowing the precise order of beverage consumption.
2. Alcohol Content material
The age-old query of whether or not beer ought to precede liquor, or vice versa, basically pivots on alcohol content material. Think about a traveler embarking on a journey. The alcohol content material is akin to the terrain they need to traverse. A mild slope (beer) may appear a better begin than a steep incline (liquor). The misunderstanding arises that this preliminary ease dictates the whole journey’s problem. Nonetheless, the overall distance lined (complete alcohol consumed) in the end determines the traveler’s fatigue. A sequence starting with beer would possibly subtly lull one right into a false sense of moderation, probably resulting in a better total consumption than supposed, and thus, a harsher consequence. Equally, beginning with the depth of liquor may set off a extra cautious strategy, tempering the overall consumption, albeit after an preliminary jolt.
Contemplate a social gathering the place visitors debate this very quandary. One opts for beer initially, savoring the gradual onset of results. One other, favoring liquor, cautiously nurses a single drink, conscious of its concentrated efficiency. Each are trying to handle their alcohol consumption. But, the person who began with beer, feeling much less instantly impaired, would possibly devour a number of extra, ultimately surpassing the overall alcohol consumption of the one who selected liquor first. The essential aspect is not the order, however the mixture quantity of alcohol ingested. This idea finds resonance in cultures worldwide, the place various rituals and traditions exist round alcohol consumption, all making an attempt to grapple with the identical underlying variable: the amount of ethanol absorbed into the bloodstream.
Finally, the alcohol content material serves because the important variable. Whether or not it is launched gently or aggressively, the physique should course of the overall load. Focusing solely on the “are you presupposed to drink beer or liquor first” query overlooks the extra vital issue: aware consumption. The important thing takeaway is {that a} measured strategy, regardless of the beginning beverage, stays the best technique for mitigating hostile results. Ignoring this, one dangers misjudging the journey, resulting in unintended locations.
3. Congeners Impression
The persistent query of beverage sequencing, particularly whether or not beer ought to precede liquor, or vice versa, typically overlooks a important participant: congeners. These bioactive substances, born throughout fermentation and distillation, impart distinctive flavors and aromas but additionally carry the potential to amplify alcohol’s much less fascinating results. The prevailing knowledge typically simplifies the controversy to alcohol focus alone. Nonetheless, understanding the affect of congeners is crucial to completely grasp the nuances of alcohol’s affect.
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Focus Variation
Totally different alcoholic drinks possess drastically totally different congener profiles. Typically, darker liquors like bourbon, brandy, and purple wine include larger concentrations of those compounds in comparison with clear liquors like vodka or gin. Beer, relying on its fashion and brewing course of, falls someplace in between. This disparity signifies that the physique’s response extends past merely processing ethanol; it additionally entails metabolizing a various array of natural molecules, probably resulting in distinct and assorted physiological outcomes primarily based on what and the way it’s consumed.
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Metabolic Burden
The human physique prioritizes the metabolism of ethanol. Nonetheless, congeners add to the metabolic burden, competing for enzymatic sources within the liver. This competitors can decelerate the breakdown of ethanol, prolonging its presence within the bloodstream and probably exacerbating hangover signs. Think about a manufacturing facility tasked with processing each uncooked supplies (ethanol) and byproducts (congeners). If the byproduct stream is heavy, the manufacturing facility’s total throughput decreases, resulting in delays and inefficiencies. The identical precept applies to the physique’s metabolic processes.
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Inflammatory Response
Sure congeners can set off an inflammatory response within the physique, contributing to complications, nausea, and normal malaise typically related to hangovers. This inflammatory cascade will be likened to a localized alarm system triggered by the presence of overseas substances. The immune system responds by releasing inflammatory mediators, which, whereas supposed to guard, also can induce disagreeable unwanted effects. Darker liquors, with their larger congener content material, usually tend to provoke such a response, regardless of whether or not they’re consumed earlier than or after beer.
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Notion of Intoxication
Congeners would possibly subtly affect the notion of intoxication. Whereas the first determinant of intoxication stays blood alcohol focus, the presence of congeners can modulate the subjective expertise. For instance, sure congeners would possibly improve the sedative results of alcohol, resulting in a better feeling of drowsiness or fatigue. Others would possibly exacerbate cognitive impairment, affecting judgment and coordination. This interaction between ethanol and congeners underscores the complicated and multifaceted nature of alcohol’s results on the human physique.
Due to this fact, the controversy on whether or not to drink beer or liquor first ought to lengthen past easy alcohol focus and acknowledge the numerous function of congeners. Whereas the order would possibly affect the pace of preliminary intoxication, the cumulative affect of congeners can considerably have an effect on the severity and period of aftereffects. Contemplate the analogy of a painter utilizing totally different pigments. The order by which the colours are utilized issues, however the total composition and high quality of the pigments themselves in the end decide the ultimate paintings. Equally, understanding the distinctive congener profiles of various alcoholic drinks, together with their particular person physiological impacts, empowers extra knowledgeable and accountable consumption.
4. Gastric Emptying
The query of whether or not to devour beer or liquor first finds an important, typically neglected, reply throughout the mechanics of gastric emptying. Think about a bustling prepare station. The abdomen is the station platform, and alcohol is the passenger awaiting transport to the bloodstream. Gastric emptying is the prepare itself, dictating how rapidly that passenger reaches its vacation spot. Understanding this course of is akin to understanding the station’s schedule it permits for prediction and, to some extent, management over the journey’s end result. Beer, with its carbonation, can act as an categorical prepare, accelerating the departure. Liquor, however, would possibly board an area, making frequent stops, extending the journey, however with a better focus of passengers. The selection of which ‘prepare’ departs first influences the preliminary surge of alcohol, however the subsequent trains are nonetheless coming.
Contemplate a state of affairs: A person begins with beer. The carbonation prompts a quicker fee of gastric emptying, rapidly shifting the alcohol to the small gut, the first web site of absorption. If liquor follows, it enters a system already primed for fast uptake. This will result in a swifter, probably extra intense, intoxication. Conversely, beginning with liquor would possibly delay gastric emptying resulting from alcohol’s irritating impact on the abdomen lining. This delayed emptying may, in flip, sluggish the absorption of any subsequent beer. Nonetheless, this delay is usually minimal in comparison with the general impact of the overall alcohol content material ultimately absorbed. Moreover, the presence of meals considerably alters the image. A meal acts as a significant prepare delay, slowing gastric emptying regardless of the preliminary beverage. Fatty meals, particularly, create a chronic bottleneck, considerably decreasing the affect of both beer or liquor consumed afterward.
In essence, the dance between beer, liquor, and gastric emptying is a posh interaction of physiological processes. Whereas the sequence of consumption undeniably influences the pace of alcohol absorption, the general impact is basically decided by the overall quantity of alcohol ingested and the modulating affect of things like meals. Deal with the “are you presupposed to drink beer or liquor first” debate typically distracts from the extra impactful technique of managing complete alcohol consumption. The clever traveler, reasonably than obsessing over the prepare schedule, ensures a protected and manageable journey whatever the route.
5. Dehydration Results
The desert traveler, parched and weary, faces a alternative: a canteen of water or a flask of spirits. This analogy echoes the dilemma on the coronary heart of the “are you presupposed to drink beer or liquor first” question, the place the specter of dehydration looms massive. Alcohol, no matter its supply, possesses diuretic properties, inhibiting the discharge of vasopressin, a hormone very important for regulating fluid stability. This suppression results in elevated urination, drawing treasured water from the physique’s reserves. The severity of this dehydration impact is instantly proportional to the quantity of alcohol consumed, dwarfing the importance of the preliminary beverage alternative.
Think about two buddies celebrating an event. One begins with beer, having fun with a number of all through the night. The opposite cautiously sips liquor, alternating with water. Whereas the primary would possibly understand a gentler begin, the cumulative impact of a number of beers, coupled with the diuretic motion, can result in vital dehydration. The second, by consciously rehydrating, mitigates the consequences, regardless of the liquor’s larger alcohol focus. The story of the morning after typically reveals the true affect: a pounding headache, fatigue, and dry mouth, all hallmarks of dehydration. These signs are neutral, detached as to if beer or liquor initiated the night’s festivities. They’re the direct consequence of depleted fluids, electrolytes thrown into disarray, and the physique’s determined try to revive equilibrium.
Finally, the prudent strategy transcends the “are you presupposed to drink beer or liquor first” debate. It prioritizes hydration as a relentless companion, interlacing every alcoholic drink with ample water or electrolyte-rich drinks. It acknowledges that alcohol, in any type, is a dehydrating agent, and proactive replenishment is paramount. The lesson is obvious: whereas the desert traveler would possibly momentarily discover solace within the flask, survival hinges on the life-sustaining properties of water, simply as a snug morning after depends on aware hydration, rendering the preliminary beverage alternative a matter of secondary significance.
6. Particular person Tolerance
The query of beverage order, “are you presupposed to drink beer or liquor first,” incessantly arises in social settings. Nonetheless, a extra basic side typically overshadows this debate: particular person tolerance. This inherent variability dictates how every particular person’s physiology responds to alcohol, rendering generalized guidelines about beverage sequencing much less related than personalised consciousness.
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Genetic Predisposition
Think about two siblings, raised in the identical surroundings, sharing related life. But, one can seemingly devour extra alcohol with out exhibiting vital impairment, whereas the opposite is rapidly affected by even small quantities. This disparity typically stems from genetic variations in alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), enzymes accountable for metabolizing alcohol. Variations in these enzymes affect the speed at which alcohol is processed, resulting in differing tolerances. Thus, for somebody with genetically decrease enzyme exercise, the order of beer or liquor consumption is much less related than the overall alcohol consumed, as their physique struggles to course of it whatever the sequence.
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Physique Composition and Metabolism
Contemplate an athlete with a lean physique versus a person with a better physique fats share. Alcohol distributes primarily in physique water, which means that somebody with extra muscle mass (and thus, extra physique water) could have a decrease blood alcohol focus (BAC) for a similar quantity of alcohol consumed in comparison with somebody with much less muscle mass. Moreover, metabolic fee influences how rapidly the physique processes alcohol. A quicker metabolism interprets to faster alcohol breakdown. Consequently, for people with larger muscle mass and quicker metabolisms, the affect of consuming beer earlier than liquor could be much less noticeable, whereas for these with decrease muscle mass and slower metabolisms, any alcohol consumption order may result in faster intoxication.
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Acquired Tolerance and Prior Publicity
Envision a seasoned bartender who routinely samples numerous drinks all through the day. Over time, their liver might adapt, rising enzyme manufacturing and effectivity in processing alcohol. This acquired tolerance differs considerably from the novice drinker whose physique is much less accustomed to alcohol’s results. For the skilled drinker, the order of beer or liquor might need a minimal affect resulting from their enhanced means to metabolize alcohol. Nonetheless, for the rare drinker, even small quantities of both beverage, no matter sequence, may result in vital impairment.
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Drugs and Well being Circumstances
Think about a affected person taking drugs that work together with alcohol, equivalent to sure antidepressants or antibiotics. These drugs can alter alcohol metabolism, both rising or lowering its results. Equally, underlying well being situations like liver illness or diabetes can considerably affect how the physique processes alcohol. For people with these situations, the order of beer or liquor consumption is much much less necessary than avoiding alcohol altogether or fastidiously monitoring its results beneath medical supervision. The potential for hostile interactions outweighs any perceived profit from a selected beverage sequence.
In abstract, particular person tolerance serves as a important modifier within the “are you presupposed to drink beer or liquor first” equation. Genetic predispositions, physique composition, acquired tolerance, drugs, and underlying well being situations all contribute to this inherent variability. Due to this fact, reasonably than adhering to generalized guidelines about beverage sequencing, prioritizing self-awareness and understanding one’s particular person response to alcohol affords a simpler technique for accountable consumption.
7. Tempo of Consumption
The veteran sailor, weathered and clever, knew the ocean’s moods. He understood {that a} light breeze may grow to be a raging storm with astonishing pace. Equally, within the realm of alcoholic drinks, the tempo of consumption dictates the journey’s end result, far outweighing the preliminary alternative between beer or liquor. Contemplate two people at a celebratory occasion. One slowly sips a glass of whiskey, savoring every drop over an hour, permitting the physique ample time to course of the alcohol. The opposite quickly consumes a number of beers in the identical timeframe, pushed by the festive ambiance. The query of whether or not liquor or beer got here first turns into nearly irrelevant; it’s the relentless tide of alcohol surging into the bloodstream of the latter that determines the course of the night.
Image a bustling market the place retailers hawk their wares. A gradual stream of consumers permits for orderly transactions, however a sudden inflow overwhelms the system, resulting in chaos. The liver capabilities equally. A measured tempo of alcohol consumption permits the liver’s enzymes to effectively metabolize the incoming ethanol. Nonetheless, a fast inflow saturates the system, inflicting a backlog. Unmetabolized alcohol accumulates within the bloodstream, resulting in a swift and pronounced intoxication. Moreover, the mind, disadvantaged of its traditional equilibrium, struggles to keep up management, impairing judgment and coordination. It isn’t the kind of alcohol that issues most, however the fee at which it arrives, making a surge the physique can not handle. Even refined variations in consumption pace can dramatically alter the trajectory, turning a nice night right into a regrettable expertise.
Finally, the tempo of consumption serves because the rudder guiding the ship by means of the uneven waters of alcohol’s results. Whereas the controversy surrounding the preliminary alternative of beer or liquor persists, the really knowledgeable particular person acknowledges that the speed of consumption is the important issue. Sluggish, deliberate sips permit the physique to adapt and course of, whereas fast consumption overwhelms its defenses. The important thing perception is recognizing that cautious pacing is crucial whatever the drink chosen. To do in any other case, is to relinquish management, surrendering to the storm brewing inside.
Regularly Requested Questions
Navigating the intricacies of alcoholic beverage consumption typically raises many questions. This part addresses among the commonest inquiries concerning the age-old debate of beer versus liquor, providing readability and dispelling frequent misconceptions.
Query 1: Does following the adage “beer earlier than liquor, by no means been sicker; liquor earlier than beer, you are within the clear” truly maintain true?
The previous mariner, weathered by years at sea, swore by this saying. He claimed the order of drinks decided the severity of the hangover. But, scientific proof reveals a unique story. The general quantity of alcohol consumed is the first determinant, overshadowing the sequence by which drinks are ingested.
Query 2: If the order would not matter, why do some people really feel worse after they combine beer and liquor in a selected sequence?
Think about two hikers ascending a mountain. One begins with a delicate slope, the opposite with a steep climb. The trail dictates the hiker’s journey. The subjective expertise will be influenced by numerous elements, together with the speed of alcohol absorption, carbonation, and particular person sensitivity. Nonetheless, the overall elevation gained, akin to complete alcohol consumed, dictates total exertion. The sensation of being sicker with a selected order could be resulting from quicker alcohol absorption when mixing drinks, however not the order itself.
Query 3: Are sure sorts of alcohol inherently “worse” to combine than others?
Contemplate a talented artisan crafting a mix of various wines. The congener depend, the various quantities of various alcohol. Like wines, totally different alcohols react in another way due to their various make-up. The composition influences how the physique processes alcohol and may have an effect on the perceived results.
Query 4: Does consuming earlier than or whereas consuming affect the consequences of blending beer and liquor?
Image a backyard with a well-tended irrigation system. Meals acts as a buffer, slowing down the absorption fee of alcohol. The physique is best outfitted to deal with it when it is drip-fed than rapidly gulped down. This reduces any drastic results from mixing.
Query 5: Is it attainable to coach oneself to higher deal with mixing beer and liquor?
A seasoned warrior develops resilience by means of rigorous coaching. Equally, the physique adapts to repeated publicity to alcohol. The acquired tolerance will not be a free cross, and nonetheless hinges on how a lot alcohol is consumed.
Query 6: What’s the single most necessary takeaway concerning the consumption of beer and liquor?
The clever elder, having witnessed numerous celebrations, provided this straightforward recommendation: moderation. The main target must be on limiting complete alcohol consumption, whatever the order or mixture of drinks. A aware strategy is the important thing to minimizing potential discomfort.
Finally, the controversy over beverage sequencing distracts from the core precept: accountable consumption. Understanding particular person tolerance, pacing oneself, and staying hydrated are much more important than adhering to unsubstantiated folklore.
Subsequent, we are going to discover sensible methods for managing alcohol consumption to attenuate potential damaging results.
Sensible Methods
The age-old debate about beverage sequencing typically overshadows sensible steps that may mitigate alcohol’s results. The story of a seasoned diplomat navigating a proper banquet underscores the significance of strategic planning. He knew the important thing to a profitable night wasn’t adherence to some arbitrary consuming order, however reasonably a deliberate and knowledgeable strategy to alcohol consumption.
Tip 1: Set up a Predetermined Restrict. Simply as a cartographer units boundaries on a map, one should outline a private alcohol restrict earlier than embarking on a night of revelry. This pre-emptive determination serves as an anchor, stopping overindulgence. A pilot meticulously calculates gasoline necessities earlier than takeoff. Equally, a predetermined restrict acts as a information, guaranteeing one arrives on the vacation spot safely.
Tip 2: Hydrate Proactively and Persistently. The parched desert traveler is aware of the significance of hydration. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, robbing the physique of significant fluids. Interspersing every alcoholic beverage with water or electrolyte-rich drinks helps preserve equilibrium. The skilled sailor understands the need of bailing water to maintain the ship afloat. Equally, replenishing fluids counteracts alcohol’s dehydrating results.
Tip 3: Prioritize Meals Consumption. The shrewd negotiator is aware of a contract is greatest mentioned over a meal. Meals slows the absorption of alcohol, moderating its affect. Fatty and protein-rich meals are notably efficient. Think about a sponge absorbing liquid. Meals acts because the sponge, delaying the entry of alcohol into the bloodstream.
Tip 4: Aware Pacing is Important. The expert conductor guides an orchestra, controlling the tempo and dynamics. Equally, one should dictate the tempo of alcohol consumption. Sluggish, deliberate sips permit the physique to course of the alcohol, stopping a fast surge. The tortoise, not the hare, typically wins the race.
Tip 5: Acknowledge and Respect Particular person Tolerance. The veteran craftsman understands the constraints of supplies. Every particular person responds in another way to alcohol. Components like genetics, physique composition, and prior publicity affect tolerance. Self-awareness is paramount. Simply as a climber assesses their capabilities earlier than making an attempt a difficult ascent, one should acknowledge private limitations.
Tip 6: Be Cognizant of Drugs and Well being Circumstances. The cautious apothecary is aware of the potential interactions of various substances. Sure drugs and well being situations can amplify or alter alcohol’s results. Consulting a healthcare skilled is essential. Ignoring these elements can result in unintended penalties.
Tip 7: Designate a Sober Companion or Transportation. The skilled mountaineer by no means climbs alone. Having a sober good friend or pre-arranged transportation ensures security. Impaired judgment can result in dangerous choices. A security internet is crucial.
Adhering to those methods transcends the “beer or liquor first” debate. It emphasizes proactive planning, aware consumption, and a respect for private limitations. Simply as a well-prepared traveler anticipates the challenges of a journey, implementing these methods minimizes potential pitfalls related to alcohol consumption.
The next part concludes this exploration by reinforcing the important thing insights and providing a last perspective on the enduring query of accountable alcohol consumption.
The Verdict
The inquiry of correct beverage order, particularly the “are you presupposed to drink beer or liquor first” debate, has been explored from a number of angles. The findings counsel the sequence of consumption is secondary to the mixture quantity of alcohol ingested, the presence of congeners, and particular person physiology. The prevailing folklore surrounding the matter lacks the substantive assist of scientific rigor. The extra prudent course entails aware pacing, acutely aware hydration, and recognizing private limits, regardless of beginning with beer or spirits. The echoes of boisterous barroom debates fade, changed by the quiet understanding of accountable selections.
Contemplate an previous lighthouse keeper, tending his lamp by means of storm and calm. He understood the refined interaction of wind and wave, but targeted on the singular job of guiding ships safely to harbor. Likewise, one navigates the social seas of alcohol consumption, the main focus shouldn’t be on arbitrary guidelines, however on the unwavering beacon of moderation and self-awareness. It isn’t the order of the drinks, however the compass of accountability that steers one true. Due to this fact, the true measure of knowledge will not be in figuring out which to drink first, however in figuring out when to cease.
