FAQ | Rules | Results | Records | Forums
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What is a "Beer Mile"? |
The foundation of any true beer mile is built upon two things: drinking beer and running a mile. The most common format of the beer mile requires a single participant to drink a full-sized beer, run a quarter mile, then repeat the process three times. This results in the consumption of four beers and the running of four quarter miles (hence the beer mile). The entire process is timed. The time is often used as a measuring stick of competency.
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Where and when did the beer mile originate and who was the first to complete one? |
The roots of the beer mile family tree can accurately be traced back to parts of Florida and New England college campuses in the U.S., Hash House Harrier events in Indonesia, and to many places (most notably Ontario) in Canada. The earliest documented races (whose records still exist today) occurred in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Legendary stories spread of a mysteriously brutal event, though many details were lost in the telling of the stories. Rules were approximated and a race of more than 5 people at once was a rarity. With the emergence of the internet and instant digital communication, information was shared and rules became more consistent in the early 1990's.
The first known set of rules to be posted in a public place was by a group in Kingston, Ontario where beer-miling had taken place regulary for a few years. Since many beer milers elsewhere were competitive, they took it upon themselves to indoctrinate the Kingston rules into their own festivities. And so, the set known as the "Kingston Rules" was born.
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What are the modern-day standards or rules? |
1. Each competitor drinks four cans of beer and runs four laps on a track
(Start - beer/lap, beer/lap, beer/lap, beer/lap - finish).
2. Beer must be consumed before the lap is begun, within the
transition area which is the 10 meter zone before the start/finish
line on a 400m track.
3. The race begins with the drinking of the first beer in the last meter
of the transition zone to ensure the comptitors run a complete mile
(1609 meters).
4. Women drink four beers in four laps (past rule lists only required
ladies to drink three beers).
5. Competitors must drink canned beer and the cans should not be
less than 355ml (the standard can volume) or 12oz (the imperial equivalent).
Bottles may be substituted for cans as long as they are at least
12 oz (341 ml) in volume.
6. No specialized cans or bottles may be used that give an advantage
by allowing the beer to pour at a faster rate. ie "super mega
mouth cans" or "wide mouth bottles" are prohibited.
7. Beer cans must not be tampered with in any manner, ie. no
shotgunning or puncturing of the can except for opening the can by
the tab at the top. The same applies with bottles - no straws or
other aids are allowed in order to aid in the speed of pouring.
8. Beer must be a minimum of 5% alcohol by volume. Hard ciders and lemonades
will not suffice. The beer must be a fermented alcoholic beverage
brewed from malt and flavored with hops. For an abbreviated list of valid
beers and exceptions, click here.
9. Each beer can must not be opened until the competitor enters the
transition zone on each lap.
10. Competitors who vomit before they finish the race must complete
one penalty lap at the end of the race (immediately after the
completion of their 4th lap). Note: Vomitting more than once
during the race still requires only one penalty lap at the end.
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What makes these rules so special and why is Beermile.com the authority? |
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A guy at my school ran 5:35 and he's not on any of your lists. What gives? |
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Where did you get your "Masters" age group numbers? I thought "Masters" was 40+. |
Masters - Age 30 and up
Super Masters - Age 40 and up
Grand Masters - Age 50 and up
Super Grand Hash Masters - Age 69 and up
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Wait, I'm in the UK and we drink 4 pints instead of 4 pansy 12 oz. cans. Why are our rules discounted? |
For those that scoff at this site's standard rules, you can still share your stories here. Anybody is allowed to submit any event for public display. However, certain record lists will only contain times performed using the most popular rules. If another variation becomes more popular, it will definitely be celebrated appropriately.
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What are other common variations of the Beer Mile? Are records kept of variations? |
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I want to submit some race results, how do I do it? |
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How do my records become "official"? |
To be considered for an official sub-7 minute performance, you must submit movie footage or something proving the validity of the race. Mostly, this is to provide entertainment for Beermile.com visitors, but it's also to prevent bogus results from contaminating record lists (any more than they already are). Proof will be added to an online gallery in the works.
Digital proof can be mailed to .
Beermile.com c/o SWS LLC
If you would like to be considered for the Beermile.com Approval Committee, mail .
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Beermile.com already has my race results listed. How can I edit the changes or add pictures, notes, and links? |
to tell us what user you are. We can assign the race to you and give you rights to edit it.
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This site sucks. Can I redesign it, or submit artwork for consideration? Is there anything else I can do to help? |
. We're looking for a new Beermile.com logo, and all designers will be credited if their art is used. Also, feel free to e-mail us with any ideas and ways you want to contribute.
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What's next for Beermile.com? |