Taste Test

• Malt liquor has a harsher, and sometimes sweeter, taste than beer has. Malt liquor is also stronger and higher in alcohol content than beer is; its alcohol content by volume ranges from 6 percent to 9 percent, while that of beer usually falls slightly below 4 percent. There are many different types of beer, from lagers and ales to pilsner and stout, while malt liquor is considered to be a type of lager. Its alcohol content separates it from other lagers.

Technicalities and Uses

• Malt liquor is typically sold in 40 oz containers, while beer tends to be sold in smaller quantities. Malt liquor is also less expensive than beer is. Both are often used in cooking; for example, beer is used to make batter for frying and baking, while malt liquor can be used in the boiling of meat for a sweet taste.