Binge drinking, independent of average total amount of alcohol consumed, may significantly increase mortality. Of 1,641 men who drank beer, 70 were identified as binge drinkers, consuming six or more beers at a sitting. The reference group who drank less than three beers at a time was composed of 1,151 men, and the others were considered moderate drinkers. The risk of death due to all causes was three times higher in the binge drinkers than the reference group. The death rate due external causes was seven times as high, and fatalities from acute heart attacks were increased six-fold.