If beer is 98% water and a hangover is being dehydrated...whats the deal?

It's that magical ingredient called alcohol. Alcohol is a diuretic, which makes you wee more. In fact, you lose far more water in your urine than you are taking in the drink itself. Dehydration causes the brain to shrink away from the skull slightly. This triggers pain sensors on the outside surface of your brain. Vital electrolytes such as magnesium and potassium are excreted from the body with the urine. These minerals help keep the heart beating and dangerous cardiac arrhythmia's can occur after heavy drinking. Go grab a Gatorade and go back to bed. Usually works for me.

Bottoms up!

The other 2%.

98% water? That only leaves 2% for the alcohol, malt, hops, etc. What kinda weasel pee you been drinking, O'Doul's?

For me, good beer *starts* at 5% ABV. The best brew I've ever had, Dogfish Head Worldwide Stout, weighs in at more than 18% abv.

Anyway, the above answers do a wonderfully good job of answering the question. I just wanted to abuse you for your "alcohol" selection :) .

Maybe it's because the more beer you drink the more you pee, therefore, your body is not staying hydrated because you are peeing it all out. I find that if I drink a glass of water and 2 asprins before I go to bed, that stops a hangover.

Beer contains toxins and they dehydrate your body.

because you od your body on the natural herbs that

is in beer and liquior that is what makes you have the

hangover

the alcohol makes u lose hydration so u need more water