Why does day drinking hit different?

Answered by Bill Hernandez

As a sommelier and brewer, I can definitely attest to the fact that day drinking can hit different, and there are a few reasons for this.

Firstly, when you're drinking throughout the day, you may not be as conscious of how much you're consuming compared to when you're drinking in a shorter period of time. It's easy to lose track of how many drinks you've had when you're sipping slowly over the course of several hours. This can lead to unintentionally consuming more than you realize, which can result in feeling more intoxicated.

Additionally, when you're day drinking, you may not be as focused on eating regular meals or snacks. This means that there's less food in your stomach to help slow down the rate at which your body absorbs alcohol. When you consume alcohol on an empty stomach, it is absorbed more quickly into your bloodstream, leading to a faster and stronger intoxication. This can make you feel more drunk over a shorter period of time.

Moreover, day drinking often involves being out in the sun or engaging in outdoor activities. The combination of alcohol and heat can have an impact on your body as well. Heat can increase the effects of alcohol, causing you to feel its effects more intensely. It's important to stay hydrated and take breaks from drinking to avoid becoming dehydrated, which can further enhance the effects of alcohol.

Furthermore, the social aspect of day drinking can also play a role in how it affects you. Daytime gatherings and events tend to have a more relaxed and casual atmosphere, which can make it easier to let loose and consume alcohol more freely. This relaxed atmosphere can lead to a more carefree mindset, potentially resulting in drinking more than you initially intended.

In my personal experience, I've noticed that day drinking can sometimes lead to a quicker and stronger intoxication compared to evening or nighttime drinking. The combination of factors such as increased alcohol consumption, lack of food in the stomach, heat, and a more relaxed atmosphere can all contribute to this difference. It's important to be mindful of these factors and drink responsibly, regardless of the time of day.

To summarize, day drinking can hit different due to factors such as unintentionally consuming more alcohol, less food in the stomach to slow down alcohol absorption, the combination of alcohol and heat, and the more relaxed atmosphere that often accompanies daytime drinking. It's crucial to be aware of these factors and make responsible choices when engaging in day drinking activities.