Are beer and wine alkaline or acidic?

February 04, 2025 4 min read

Are beer and wine alkaline or acidic?

Some beverages are easily labeled as acidic without diving into the chemistry behind it. Lemonade, for example, is often described as acidic because of the association between lemons and acid. Other people typically relate soda and coffee to acid due to the effect it can have on your teeth. Other drinks may not be as obvious, but by digging deeper into the pH of the drink, you can understand the acidity or alkalinity of the beverage. 

Defining pH

pH is a term used in chemistry to describe the “presence of hydrogen” ions in a solution. In other words, the pH of a substance describes how acidic or alkaline a substance is. The pH scale is used to measure a substance’s alkalinity or acidity, and it runs from 0 to 14 (1). For reference, battery acid is one of the most acidic substances, with a pH of 0. Liquid drain cleaner is one of the most alkaline substances, with a pH of 14. Pure water is completely neutral, with a pH of 7. Many substances that people drink fall slightly above or below neutral. 

When a substance is alkaline, it is typically due to the presence of minerals that raise its pH value. These “alkaline minerals” include calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium. Adding these minerals to normal drinking water can actually increase the water’s pH high enough to label it as “alkaline water.” 

Why pH matters 

While understanding a substance’s pH may seem like something fit for the chemistry classroom, it actually plays a huge role in your daily life. For your body to function optimally, it needs to stay in a strict range of pH values–from 7.35 to 7.45. While more research is still being conducted to fully understand the extent in which foods and drinks play a role in the body’s pH levels, it is thought that consuming too many acidic foods can lead to lowering the body’s pH level. If the body’s pH is lowered too far out of its optimal range, it becomes at risk for a blood disease called acidosis. 

pH of wine 

While wine (red wine, in particular) has been tied to several health benefits when consumed in moderation, that does not relate any connection to its acidity (2). In general, the pH of wine falls between 3.0 and 4.0 (3). This makes wine an acidic beverage. White wines have a lower pH and are more acidic than red wines, and sweet wines and more acidic than sparkling wines. 

The pH of wine affects its taste, as well. Wines with a lower pH are “more acidic and [have] a crisp, refreshing taste, while wine with a high pH is less acidic and has a softer, rounder taste” (3). 

pH of beer

In general, beer has a pH of 4, but certain types of beer may have a higher or lower pH depending on the make and brand. Beer, like wine, is acidic; however, beer is less acidic than wine. The beer’s pH level is affected by both the fermentation method and the ingredients in the beer, which accounts for the variety in pH levels of different beers. In general, “lagers will be less acidic than ales, due to the longer fermentation time, and… the least acidic beers usually have a darker color tone” (4). 

Health effects of an acidic diet

Wine and beer, like all alcohol, should be consumed in moderation. On top of obvious reasons, both wine and beer are acidic beverages that can cause negative health effects. For example, acidic beverages can wear down tooth enamel (5). Additionally, too much acid can make your urine more acidic, which can lead to kidney stones. An overly-acidic diet can also be connected to bone and muscle deterioration, liver problems, and heart disease (6). 

How to balance an overly-acidic diet

Because a diet with too much acid can cause damaging health effects, there are a few ways to balance out this diet. The most obvious way is to eat less acidic foods. Acidic foods include grains, meat, fish, sugar, and coffee. However, if eating less of these foods seems unreasonable, there are other strategies you can try to balance your diet. 

First, adding more alkaline foods to your diet can help balance your diet. For example, eating leafy greens and other fruits and vegetables is an easy (and nutritious!) way to help keep your body’s pH levels at equilibrium. Second, adding lemon or cucumber to your water can alkalize your water while keeping it refreshingly flavored. Or, try drinking a glass of water before drinking an acidic beverage. 

Lastly, swapping your regular drinking water with alkaline water is an easy, cost-effective way to ensure your body can alkalize, counteracting those acidic foods and beverages in your diet. An alkalizing water pitcher, for example, will allow you to alkalize and filter your tap water, balancing your body’s pH levels without any extreme changes to your diet. 

The Wrap-Up

Both beer and wine are acidic beverages that should be drunk in moderation. Wine is more acidic than beer, with a pH between 3.0 and 4.0. White wine is usually more acidic than red wine. As a rule of thumb, beer has a pH of 4.0, but varying factors can raise or lower this pH. To ensure your diet is not overly-acidic, consider balancing your diet out by adding more alkaline foods and beverages to your diet.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Is beer more alkaline than wine?

No. Both beer and wine are acidic, but beer is slightly less acidic than wine. Neither drink is alkaline. 

What’s worse for acid reflux, beer or wine?

While neither beer nor wine are good for acid reflux, wine is more acidic than beer. 

Does beer make your body alkaline or acidic?

It is unlikely that one drink would affect the pH of your body. However, it is possible that consuming too many acidic drinks (like beer) could lower your body’s pH levels, making it more acidic. 

References Cited

  1. U.S. Geological Survey,https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/ph-scale 

  2. Jerlyn Jones,MedicalNewsToday,https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265635#can-wine-improve-health 

  3. Atlas Scientific,https://atlas-scientific.com/blog/the-importance-of-ph-in-wine-making/ 

  4. Oculyze,https://www.oculyze.net/the-beer-acidity-chart/ 

  5. Kirkland Dental,https://www.kirklanddentalsmile.com/blog/137738-acidity-of-drinks-and-your-teeth#:~:text=Alcoholic%20beverages%20have%20high%20acidic,of%20around%204%20and%20lower

  6. Katherine Marengo,Healthline,https://www.healthline.com/health/acid-foods-to-avoid#effects