FALSE. In fact, the alcohol content of drinks can vary enormously, and you cannot tell by the look or taste of the drink. Two factors determine the alcohol content of a drink: its strength in percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV) and its size. Beer is generally sold in standard serving sizes (i.e. 12 oz. can, 330 ml bottle) and the alcohol content is usually 4-5 % by volume. With hard liquor, the amount of alcohol served to consumers can vary greatly depending on the bartender pour, making it more difficult to control the amount of alcohol in mixed drinks and to keep track of how much you’re drinking.