Beer buzz: Storebought vs Homebrew
 

I've noted that the buzz obtained from my homebrew is different from that obtained by drinking storebought beer.

Both are high alcohol IPAs, with similar hops and alcohol levels.

But the homebrew seems to take more to obtain similar effects. And the Head Brewmistress concurs.

Is there any knowledge, either empirical or speculative regarding this issue?

Thanks -
Norman

The ABV of your home brew isn't as high as you think it is.

You're saying a commercial craft brew IPA uses corn or other adjuncts? Most of the ones I know certainly don't.

Ethanol is just ethanol. Are you sure you are getting the kind of attenuation you think you are getting?

Homebrew has more suspended yeast. Incredible creatures.

I definitely notice a difference in homebrew vs store bought though I do mostly wines and meads. In the book Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers he seems to point out that the effects of fermentation on the substances in the brew may bring about unique compounds that can make the brews have different effects. I've noticed yarrow in particular seems to do that.

Maybe the homebrew tastes so good that you're overwhelmed by emotions of elation and blissfulness that distract you from feeling the buzz.

It could be a result of different carbonation levels. Higher carbonation will make the ethanol absorb into your bloodstream faster (and thus into your liver) as a result of the CO2 bubbles expanding the liquid in your stomach.

However that being said, there are some confounding factors in your observation. For one, you only have a sample size of 2. And you need to take into account stuff like lack of sleep, food in the stomach, tolerance, etc. and even then it is still a subjective observation (I feel more drunk/I feel drunk quicker) that is almost certainly biased. You need cold, hard data if you really want to figure it out. I'd recommend investing in a mid-level breatholyzer and report back with some good data. Definitely want to do double blind testing with as many controlled variables as possible (empty stomach, well rested, similar tolerances) with a larger sample size, like a dozen people. You will need to do controls and all of that science-y stuff. Good luck! :)

^ those are some excellent points, it's spurning me to undertake a multiple year project of much careful research and experimentation.