Beer ABV question

For the last several years my friends and I have wondered about the claimed potency of many different beers. So I figured with the wealth of beer knowledge found on the forum I would ask the experts here.
The root of the question is... Why when I have 2 beers at Cumberland, NABC, Bank St, or BBC do I feel like I have a pretty decent buzz? But if I drink 2 beers at home I don't feel a buzz at all?
Our first thought was it has to be the difference in the amount of Alcohol found in the beers, but the posted ABVs at the brewery and on the beers consumed at home are virtually identical. To make things even more confusing we have even purchased kegs of Cumberland beers for parties and the keg version at home did not seem as potent as the version consumed in the restaurant.

Does anyone have any theories or real knowledge as to why?

For the last several years my friends and I have wondered about the claimed potency of many different beers. So I figured with the wealth of beer knowledge found on the forum I would ask the experts here.
The root of the question is... Why when I have 2 beers at Cumberland, NABC, Bank St, or BBC do I feel like I have a pretty decent buzz? But if I drink 2 beers at home I don't feel a buzz at all?
Our first thought was it has to be the difference in the amount of Alcohol found in the beers, but the posted ABVs at the brewery and on the beers consumed at home are virtually identical. To make things even more confusing we have even purchased kegs of Cumberland beers for parties and the keg version at home did not seem as potent as the version consumed in the restaurant.

Does anyone have any theories or real knowledge as to why?

Are you drinking the same amount of beer in ounces? Two beers at a bar is probably 40oz, vs smaller glasses at home? Some places also put magic in their beer. There is a mexican place in Corydon that seems to serve 15% abv(magic) Dos Equis.

Psychological effects aside, it must be serving size, or how quickly you're consuming the beverage.

But also, the hustle and bustle in a bar might make you feel more intoxicated. Or the fear of a breathalyzer. Haha.....at home, you're in a total comfort zone, probably chilling on your couch. Might feel different than in a crowded room. Lots of stuff going on in your brain. But I'm not a psychologist.

Serving sizes are equal as most of the time I am drinking out of my pint glasses I got for free at Cumberland! We have considered the psychological effect as well the "hustle bustle" of the restaurant surely has an effect.
Has no one else experienced this?! I thought it might have something to do with the process through with the beer is dispersed? The draft lines? Maybe the beer has a higher/lower CO2 content? I have no idea but these are just some of the theories we have come up with.

Serving sizes are equal as most of the time I am drinking out of my pint glasses I got for free at Cumberland! We have considered the psychological effect as well the "hustle bustle" of the restaurant surely has an effect.
Has no one else experienced this?! I thought it might have something to do with the process through with the beer is dispersed? The draft lines? Maybe the beer has a higher/lower CO2 content? I have no idea but these are just some of the theories we have come up with.

Some places also put magic in their beer. There is a mexican place in Corydon that seems to serve 15% abv(magic) Dos Equis.

Yes, it happens to me every time I drink Dos Equis at the Real Enchilada in Corydon. Five or 6 and I'm pretty well gone. I can normally drink these all day long. I think it has to be the speed in which we are drinking in bars. You are usually with a group in a bar vs home and peer pressure, buying rounds, and fun are more at play.

Wow, that is a great question! I know that when I had 2 Croupiers at my restaurant, I would be fine, but those same 2 Croupiers at Rich'Os would get me trashed. Must be a proximity thing?

RichO's is magical Dave, in that sort of Dagobah/Dark Crystal sort of way.

I'm going with the environment and the speed of consumption playing into the higher degree of "buzz".

or maybe it is because RichO's (the NABC Public House) was rated #10 on Rate Beer's list of best beer bars!!!

Thanks, Shawn. I'm being contextual as always.

I'm voting for the area buzz theory of being out in public. Seems to me that all things being equal, at home, I get tight, and out in public more expansive and loopy.

I HAVE THE ANSWER!!!
(or at least the way I see it)

At a restaurant or bar when you have several beers, you are usually conversing and moving about(especially walking or standing) much more than you do at a home setting. Thus, your blood flows faster and to more parts of your body and the alcohol is absorbed faster so you feel the effects faster. Case in point, take 2 shots of liquor sitting down and wait 10 minutes, then stand up and walk say, to the restroom or outside to smoke and back, and then sit down... odds are you feel tipsier than you did before you stood up. It all comes down to how fast your heart beats and moves the alcohol through your system.

That's my expert analysis of your dilemma.

all things being equal, at home, I get tight, and out in public more expansive and loopy.

Now that's funny

This reminds me of the unsolved theory on why does a hotdog always taste better at the ballpark than at home ?

I also think it is how you are consuming the beverage when you are out with fellow patrons compared to being at home in a more relaxed dwelling

Does anyone have any theories or real knowledge as to why?

Where do you normally do your drinking?

Psychologically speaking, drinking in a different environment that usual makes you feel as if the effect is intensified. Thus, you will perceive a 'buzz' with a lower BAC than you would at home.

It all comes down to habituation. When your mind becomes accustomed to doing anything repeatedly in the same location, then you lose the novelty experience. Also of interest is the fact that psychologists recommend preparing for an exam in a similar environment to the one that you will take your test in, because you've come to associate that type of location with recalling the needed information.

In summary, the ABV is the same, but the psychological effect is different.