Why
“Avoid Spirits, Stick to Beer”
Can Save Lives
Spirits (vodka, gin, rum, etc.) are the most likely drinks to be contaminated with methanol because they’re easier and cheaper for illegal producers to fake. A clear liquid in a bottle looks convincing, even if it’s dangerous.
Beer (and bottled alcopops), on the other hand, are much harder to fake—its taste, colour, fizz, and brewing process make methanol substitution unlikely.
That’s why beer is generally a safer option if you’re unsure about the source of alcohol.
👉 If you’re travelling or buying alcohol somewhere you’re not confident about, avoiding spirits and sticking to sealed, branded beer or alcopop is one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of methanol poisoning.
👉 If you must drink spirits, purchase them in the duty-free before you leave the country.
Other useful sources on Methanol poisoning
Spotting the signs of Methanol Poisoning
Methanol poisoning is often mistaken for being drunk, hungover, or even food poisoning. The first symptoms—headache, nausea, dizziness, and tiredness—look almost identical to regular alcohol effects. What makes it even more dangerous is the delay: methanol takes time to break down in the body, so someone can seem fine for hours before suddenly getting very ill. By the time vision problems, confusion, or severe pain appear, the poisoning may already be advanced. Because awareness is so low, people don’t realise what’s happening until it’s too late.