Making a beer shotgun involves making a small hole in the bottom of a can of beer, then opening the can normally and letting gravity throw a steady stream of cold beer into your mouth, creating a considerable mess. While this can be intimidating at first, after just one attempt you will be able to handle the shotgun like a pro. Start having fun!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Traditional Shotgun
Step 1. Hold the beer can horizontally, make sure it is aluminum
Unfortunately you can't (not yet) make a shotgun with a glass bottle; only aluminum cans work. Tilt the can a bit just enough so that the bottom is a little higher than the top side.
Step 2. Make a hole in the bottom of the can, near the bottom
Use a corkscrew, key, or sharp object, such as a knife, although you have to be very careful with sharp objects (Mandatory notice). Always holding the can horizontally with the bottom a little higher, a small air pocket will form right on the bottom; this means that if you punch the hole correctly, not a drop of beer will splash out.
- Make sure you make a big enough hole. If the hole is too small your drinking buddies will already be opening the second can while you are still there sipping the first like a young lady. Remember that the fun part of the shotgun is the speed.
- It is advisable to pierce the can outdoors or in a place where you can collect the liquid that comes out, in case you miss the air pocket when you make the hole in the can; Murphy's law guarantees that on an important occasion you will make a huge mess.
- Try to push the sharp edges of the can hole inwards to avoid cutting your hands or mouth.
Step 3. Put your mouth quickly on the hole, so as not to waste any drops of the precious beer
Straighten the can so gravity will start doing the work for you.
Step 4. After straightening the can, open it normally at the top
Once opened, the beer will begin to flow freely through the hole you made.
- Why is beer "forced" down your throat when you open the can? It is physics! By opening the tab at the top, you allow air to enter the can. More air means more pressure inside the can which forces the beer to go down into your stomach (which is happy to welcome it!). The vacuum that was created inside the can gradually decreases.
- Let the beer flow down your throat; if you try to swallow and suck, it will take longer.
Step 5. Drink as fast as you can
The air coming in from above makes the beer splash out of the hole at a crazy speed. Be ready and above all have fun!
Method 2 of 2: Thumb Shotgun
Step 1. Grab an aluminum beer can and put your thumb about 2.5cm from the bottom
The point where you need to put your thumb to make the shotgun is between 2.5 and 3.5 cm from the bottom.
- Use your dominant hand if you want to get better results and see your thumb sink into the can by bending it.
- What nail length do you need for this shotgun? It depends, but neither too long nor too short. If it is too short you will have problems piercing the can; if the nail is too long it can bend under pressure (and hurt a lot). Try to keep it about 3mm for best results.
Step 2. Place the can slightly tilted so that the air pocket is under your thumb
Remember: the angle must be minimal. Even if you take the air bubble, expect some splashes of beer. It's normal.
Step 3. Make a small dent in the can by applying pressure
Start pushing on the can with the thumb of your dominant hand until you create a small hollow in the aluminum.
Step 4. Move your thumb back and forth pushing until the aluminum breaks
It will take a few tries to master the technique, but there are a couple of things you need to be aware of:
- If you feel like you can't puncture a specific point, don't be afraid to move your thumb back and forth, or up and down, and try again! Use the same process. Sometimes you just need to move your thumb a few millimeters.
- Move carefully when you pierce the can. Pulling your thumb back quickly can make you come into contact with the sharp edges of the aluminum. And that's not a good thing!
- It may take several attempts to develop and obtain the right technique and mental strength. While you might do it the first time, it can take days, weeks, or even months to master the finger shotgun. Be hungry for success during this time, like the lion when it hunts the gazelle. Patience will pay off!
Step 5. Put your mouth on the hole, straighten the can and open it
Drink as usual.
Be cautious enough when playing these games. Although it should be safe and there is no possibility of hurting anyone, there is always some risk of getting hurt. If you do not feel comfortable or are already a bit tipsy, know that breaking the can with your fingers could end badly.
Advice
- Make sure the hole is large enough. A euro cent diameter should be fine. If you make it too small you will be grappling with your first can by the time your friends have already started the second round.
- When you make the hole, make sure you know where the opening tab is. Do this in a position that will make it easy for you to open the can when you put it upright.
- It is always a great idea to shoot the shotgun outdoors or over a sink. You don't want to ruin someone's carpet.
-
Dispose of aluminum cans intelligently, use the recycling bin.
Shotgun at Beer Step 5
Warnings
- Avoid using a knife if possible, a key works better and is safer.
- Be careful when you put your mouth on the hole you made in the can. It could be really cutting edge.
- Drinking fast gets you drunk sooner. Drink responsibly.
- The shotgun can hurt you because the rapidly falling carbon dioxide causes stomach pain. And it causes some people to throw up, then watch out.
- Drinking beer like this can be very dangerous. The beer forcibly flows down the throat under pressure. If you don't swallow quickly you can draw it into your lungs, it can cause you to choke and even die from what is known as dry drowning. Never try it alone.
