Calorie Count In Apple Cider Beer: What's The Damage?

Apple cider is a popular beverage, but how many calories does it contain? The answer depends on the specific type of cider and its ingredients. Alcohol content and sugar levels play a significant role in determining the calorie count. On average, cider contains 47 calories per 100ml, while beer contains 40 calories per 100ml. A 12-ounce serving of apple cider beer from the Portland Cider Company contains 150 calories, and a cup of apple cider has around 120 calories. The calorie count can vary depending on the brand and the fermentation process.

A 12-ounce serving of apple cider beer has 150 calories

The number of calories in an alcoholic beverage depends on its ABV (alcohol by volume) and its sugar and carbohydrate content. Alcohol has 7 calories per gram, so the higher the ABV, the more calories a drink will contain. Additionally, beverages with higher sugar or carbohydrate content will also have more calories.

Apple cider beer is made from fermented fruits, such as apples, oranges, and pears, which are naturally sweet and high in sugar. This contributes to the calorie count. However, the fermentation process also plays a role, as yeast converts sugars into alcohol, reducing the amount of sugar left in the final product.

Compared to other ciders, apple cider beer from the Portland Cider Company is a good choice if you are conscious of your calorie intake. For example, Rekorderlig Strawberry & Lime cider has 330 calories in a 500ml serving (approximately 16.9 ounces), while Kopparberg's Pear Cider has 215 calories in the same serving size.

If you are looking for a lower-calorie option, you might consider a light beer or hard seltzer, which can have similar calorie counts to apple cider beer. However, it is important to note that the marketing for hard seltzers may be misleading, as they often contain added sugars and other ingredients that can increase the calorie count.

Alcohol has 7 calories per gram, which is higher than carbs

Apple cider is a popular beverage, but it's important to be aware of its calorie content, especially if you're watching your weight. The calorie count in any drink depends on its ingredients, particularly its alcohol, sugar, and carbohydrate content. Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, which is higher than carbs, at 4 calories per gram. This means that the alcohol content of a beverage can significantly impact its overall calorie count.

Cider is made from fermented fruits, such as apples, oranges, pears, and peaches, which are naturally sweet and high in sugar. This contributes to its higher calorie content. The average cider with a 4.5% ABV (alcohol by volume) contains approximately 210 calories, which is similar to a sugar doughnut or a slice of pizza. In comparison, a 12-ounce light beer typically has only 103 calories, while a regular beer of the same size has 153 calories.

Craft ciders tend to have a higher alcohol content, and while they may have lower sugar content, the higher alcohol content raises the total calories of the beverage. For example, Henry Westons Oak Aged Herefordshire Cider has an ABV of 8.2%, and 280 calories per 500ml bottle.

It's worth noting that the calorie count can vary between different types of cider. For instance, Rekorderlig Strawberry & Lime has 330 calories per 500ml bottle, while Kopparberg's Summer Fruits Light cider has only 170 calories per 500ml.

When it comes to health, apple cider has some benefits due to its polyphenol content, which acts as antioxidants in the body. However, it's important to remember that alcoholic beverages provide empty calories without the nutritional benefits of other foods. Alcoholic drinks can easily contribute to weight gain, especially when consumed with meals, as they can lower your inhibitions and increase your food intake.

Cider has more calories than beer due to higher sugar content

When it comes to calories, cider and beer are not created equal. While both beverages contain calories, the amount varies due to their different ingredients and fermentation processes. On average, cider contains 47 calories per 100ml, while beer contains 40 calories per 100ml, making cider the more calorie-dense option.

So, why does cider have more calories than beer? The answer lies in its sugar content. Cider is made from fermented fruits, such as apples, oranges, peaches, and pears, which are naturally high in sugar. These fruits contribute to a higher overall sugar content in cider compared to beer, which is typically fermented with low-sugar grains like hops and barley. While beer also has sugar added to balance the flavour, the impact of the different fermentation processes results in cider usually having a higher number of carbohydrates.

Additionally, the type of alcohol and its ABV (Alcohol By Volume) can affect the calorie content. Alcohol has approximately 7 calories per gram, compared to 4 calories per gram for carbohydrates. So, a higher ABV will generally result in a higher-calorie drink. However, it's important to note that the fermentation process for cider converts almost all the carbohydrates into alcohol, leaving very few additional calories from unfermented carbohydrates.

For example, a typical 12-ounce bottle of cider will have about 129 calories, while a 12-ounce bottle of beer with the same ABV will have around 168 calories due to the unfermented carbohydrates it contains. This means that, per ounce of alcohol, dry cider has a similar calorie count to light beer.

However, when it comes to popular cider and beer brands, the difference in calories becomes more apparent. A 500ml bottle of Rekorderlig Strawberry & Lime cider, for instance, contains 330 calories, while a 500ml bottle of Heineken beer has only 210 calories. This discrepancy is largely due to the higher sugar content in cider, which can also be seen in the macronutrient breakdown of a 12-ounce serving of apple cider beer, which is 100% carbs.

The average cider has 210 calories, the equivalent of a slice of pizza

Calories in cider vary depending on the brand, alcohol content, and amount of sugar. The average cider with a 4.5% ABV (alcohol content) has approximately 210 calories. This is the equivalent of a slice of pizza.

For example, Rekorderlig Strawberry & Lime has 330 calories, while Kopparberg's Mixed Fruits cider has 275 calories. These are both 500ml servings, and both are 4.0% ABV.

The number of calories in cider is largely dependent on the ABV, as alcohol has 7 calories per gram, compared to 4 in carbs. The higher the alcohol content, the more calories the cider will have.

However, cider is made from fermented fruits, which are high in natural sugars. These sugars also contribute to the overall calorie count. So, while a cider with a lower ABV might have fewer calories from alcohol, it could still have a high overall calorie count due to the sugar content.

Craft ciders, for example, tend to have a higher alcohol content, but less added sugar, so they may be a better option for those watching their calorie intake.

It's also worth noting that the serving size will affect the number of calories in a cider. A 12 oz serving of apple cider beer from the Portland Cider Company contains 150 calories.

So, while the average cider may have 210 calories, there are many variables that affect this number, and it's important to consider the serving size and the specific brand and type of cider when calculating the calorie content.

Dry cider has fewer calories as it has less sugar

When it comes to choosing an alcoholic drink, it's important to remember that alcohol itself contains calories—approximately 7.1 calories per gram. This means that a 12-ounce alcoholic beverage with 5% alcohol will have about 121 calories from alcohol alone. If you're watching your calorie intake, it's also worth paying attention to any sugars added after fermentation, as these can significantly increase the total calorie count.

Dry cider, an alcoholic beverage made from fermented apples, generally has fewer calories than other types of cider because it has less residual sugar. During the fermentation process, yeast consumes most of the cider's natural sugars, converting them into alcohol. While this results in higher alcohol content, dry cider still tends to have fewer overall calories due to its lower sugar content.

For example, a typical 12-ounce bottle of cider will have about 129 calories, while a sweet cider like Angry Orchard's Crisp Apple, with the same 5% alcohol content, contains approximately 190 calories due to added sugars. Similarly, Mike's Hard Lemonade, also with 5% alcohol, has 236 calories per 12 ounces. These comparisons highlight how added sugars can significantly impact the calorie count of alcoholic beverages.

It's worth noting that the calorie content of cider varies depending on the brand and specific product. For instance, the Portland Cider Company's apple cider beer contains 150 calories per 12 ounces, while other ciders may have even lower calorie counts. Additionally, craft ciders like Crafty Nectar No. 7 can be a good choice for those seeking lower-calorie options, as they often have less added sugar.

In summary, dry cider tends to have fewer calories than other types of cider because it undergoes a more complete fermentation process, resulting in higher alcohol content but lower sugar levels. However, when choosing alcoholic beverages, it's important to consider not only the type of drink but also the specific brand and product, as calorie counts can vary significantly.

Frequently asked questions