• Monument@lemmy.sdf.org
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          2 days ago

          They’re referring to beer that is limited to 3.2% alcohol by volume. Historically (and even still in many parts of the U.S.), you had to go to a dedicated liquor store to buy beer or spirits that are stronger. Beer that is limited to 3.2% can be sold at convenience stores and often at normal food shops. Due to its low alcohol content, it’s often considered garbage beer, “yard beer,” or American beer.

          It’s often easier for underaged folks to buy this kind of beer, since these shops do not always card their clientele, whereas a liquor store will usually have a better culture around checking ID’s.

          Also, just because it’s on rotation in my playlists, Adam Carroll’s Oklahoma Gypsy Shuffler makes reference to 3.2 beer.

          • rekabis@lemmy.ca
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            2 days ago

            They’re referring to beer that is limited to 3.2% alcohol by volume.

            Holy shit, it’s a real thing.

            Up here in Canada, you’d have to get a Radler to get anything 4% and under. I don’t think I’ve ever had a normal beer under 5.5%, and some of our beers go clear up to 7-8%. And I’m not even a drinker - I have maybe a single drink a week, and typically go months between drinks.

            I mean, sure, you can get the dealcoholized/0.5% stuff, but that’s like sex on a boat.

            • accideath@feddit.org
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              2 days ago

              Just looked it up because I cannot believe 3,2% Alcohol is considered much for beer in the US. It is not. First of all, it’s apparently 3,2% of weight not volume. In Volume it’s about 4%. And it’s not considered strong (or even regular) beer, which is 5-6% vol., which is in line with what I (as a German) would consider as about right for beer (Most German beers are at 5% vol.).

              • Also, the notation is weird. 3 point two percent would be 3,2 (EU), 3.2, or 16/5… In the US, I can’t imagine anyone writing 3.2 as 3/2. We do most of us understand basic division.

                I’m as confused about the notation as everyone else.

                We demand answers!

                • 5too@lemmy.world
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                  2 days ago

                  I’m just noticing that the / is next to the . on my keyboard…

                  Did this just start out as a typo?

                  • Dunno, but good theory. The other theory someone suggested that makes sense is that it’s spoken shorthand, like “I like 3-5 beer” was written “3/5”. Mist people would probably pronounce “3.5” as three-point-five, so writing it 3/5 does make sense.

                • joshthewaster@lemmy.world
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                  2 days ago

                  3/2 makes sense as a way to represent how someone would actually say it out loud. “Three two beer” is common term used to describe beer with 3.2% alcohol by weight. "Three point two percent beer* works but is just shortened and 3/2 is a pretty good way of capturing the sound.

                  • glimse@lemmy.world
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                    2 days ago

                    I’ve never heard anyone refer to 3/2 beer but I used to visit my friend at the state college to party and everyone loved Icehouse (for the price, not the taste). Putting both hands up and say “FIVE FIVE” for the 5.5% ABV it offered

                • Øπ3ŕ@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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                  2 days ago

                  As a former ESL teacher and redneck, I’m guessing it’s 1 part sub-par literacy, 1 part phobia of metric (*not… Math?!*😱), and 1 part cultural acceptance of both (& more). Coupled with the fact that it’s half the problem, and you have your mouthbreather fraction - or faction, even.