SummaryAlcohol in two doses (0.75 g/kg and 0.25 g/kg) and a placebo were administered to three matched groups of subjects. A range of measures including self‐ratings, body sway and breath alcohol concentration was taken before and at 30‐min intervals up to 2 h after intake. At I k after the drink the subjects performed a competitive reaction time task which elicits hostility that can be measured behaviourally and on self‐ratings. It was found that subjects on alcohol responded more aggressively but rated themselves as less angry compared to subjects on placebo. Alcohol had positive dose‐related mood effects. Body sway and bodily symptoms were increased by the high dose and decreased by the l