Beer Calories: Non-Light Beer's Surprising Count

Beer is a popular drink worldwide, but it's not exactly a nutritional powerhouse. Most of the calories in beer come from alcohol and carbohydrates, and the exact number depends on the type of beer and its maker. A typical 12-ounce beer has around 140 calories, which is similar to a can of Coke. However, some beers can have twice that amount, reaching up to 300 calories. Light beers, on the other hand, tend to have fewer calories, ranging from 50 to 100 calories per 12-ounce serving. So, if you're watching your weight, opting for a light beer or an alcohol-free brew might be a better choice.

Characteristics of Non-Light Beer

Calories in non-light beer

The number of calories in non-light beer varies depending on the brand and the volume of the beer. A typical 12-ounce beer has around 140 calories, which is similar to a can of Coke. Some beers have as few as 95 calories, while others have as many as 300 calories or more. The calorie content of beer depends mostly on its alcohol content and, to a lesser extent, its carbohydrate content.

Beers with higher alcohol content tend to have more calories. For example, an average 5% alcohol beer like Budweiser has around 150 calories. Heavy hitters like regular IPAs, double or imperial IPAs, and Belgian-style Trippels, which have 7% to 11% alcohol content, can have 200 to 300 calories. On the other hand, very low-alcohol beers like Miller 64, which has 2% to 3% alcohol, start at around 60 calories for a 12-ounce serving. Most light beers, which typically have 4% alcohol, have about 100 calories.

Craft, seasonal, and high-alcohol content beers will generally have more calories than lighter beers. For example, Budweiser has 145 calories, while Bud Light has 110 calories. Busch has 114 calories, while Busch Light has only 95 calories. Beers like Coors Light and Corona are considered relatively light and simple, with 102 and 148 calories, respectively. Michelob Ultra is another low-calorie option, with 95 calories and very few carbohydrates.

If you are watching your calorie intake, non-alcoholic beers are a good option, as they usually have fewer calories. For example, Coors Edge has only 45 calories, while Heineken 0.0 has 69 calories.

Alcohol content

The calories in beer come from two components: alcohol and carbohydrates (starches and sugars from unfermented grain). The calories in beer are mostly influenced by the alcohol content. Therefore, light beers have fewer calories because they contain less alcohol.

A typical 12-ounce beer has around 140 calories, which is similar to a can of Coke. Some beers have twice that amount. Beers with higher alcohol content will tend to have more calories than lighter ones. For example, an average 5% alcohol beer like Budweiser has around 150 calories, while very low-alcohol beers (2% to 3% alcohol) like Miller 64 start at around 60 calories for a 12-ounce serving. Most light beers (4% alcohol) have about 100 calories. Bud Light, for instance, has 110 calories, while Busch Light has 95 calories.

Craft beers, seasonal beers, and beers with high alcohol content will generally have more calories. Heavy hitters like regular IPAs, double or imperial IPAs, and Belgian-style Trippels can pack 200 to 300 calories. However, a lower-alcohol "session" IPA cuts that to around 140 calories. Newer "lo-cal" IPAs like Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty contain as few as 100 calories.

Non-alcoholic beers are another option for those looking to reduce their calorie intake. These beers typically have less than 0.5% ABV and can have as few as 45 calories per 12 ounces, although some may contain up to 150 calories.

Carbohydrates

The calories in beer come from two components: alcohol and carbohydrates. The calories are mostly influenced by the alcohol content, but the carbohydrates also play a role. These carbohydrates are starches and sugars from unfermented grains used in the brewing process.

Beer generally has about 150 calories per 12-ounce serving, but this can vary depending on the type of beer and the maker. For example, Budweiser, a regular 5% alcohol brew, has around 145-150 calories, while Bud Light has 110 calories. Very-low-alcohol beers like Miller 64 (2% to 3% alcohol) start at around 60 calories for a 12-ounce serving. Most light beers (4% alcohol) have about 100 calories, with some even lower, like Busch Light at 95 calories and Bud Light Next at 80 calories.

Non-alcoholic beers are also an option for those looking to reduce their calorie intake. These typically have less than 0.5% ABV and can have as few as 25 calories per 12-ounce serving. For example, Coors Edge (0.5% ABV) has 45 calories, while Athletic Lite (0.0% ABV) has only 25 calories.

When it comes to carbohydrates, the amount can vary depending on the type of beer. For instance, Budweiser has 10.6 grams of carbs, while Bud Light has 6.6 grams. Busch Light, a low-calorie option, has only 3.2 grams of carbs. Michelob Ultra has the fewest grams of carbohydrates out of America's 10 best-selling beers, with only 2.6 grams of carbs.

If you're looking for a low-carb option, light beers are usually the way to go. These typically have fewer calories and less alcohol content, which also means fewer carbohydrates. However, it's important to check the nutrition facts, as the exact amount of carbohydrates can vary between different brands and types of beer.

Nutritional value

Beer is made from fermented grain, and the calories in beer are mainly composed of carbs and alcohol. The calorie count of a standard 12-ounce serving of one of the top 10 most popular beers in the United States ranges from 95 calories on the low end to just under 150 calories on the high end. The calories in beer are mostly influenced by the alcohol content. A typical 12-ounce beer has as many calories as a can of Coke (140). Some have twice that amount.

Light beers with very low alcohol content (2% to 3% alcohol) such as Miller 64 have around 60 calories in a 12-ounce serving. Most light beers (4% alcohol) have about 100 calories. Bud Light Next, for example, has 80 calories and achieves this by reducing both the alcohol and carbohydrate content.

Regular beers with an average alcohol content of 5% like Budweiser have around 150 calories.

IPAs and other heavy hitters (7% to 11% alcohol) like regular IPAs, double or imperial IPAs, and Belgian-style Trippels pack 200 to 300 calories. However, a lower-alcohol "session" IPA reduces the calorie count to around 140. Newer "lo-cal" IPAs like Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty have as little as 100 calories.

Draft beers served in 16 or 20-ounce glasses can contain 200 to 250 calories.

If you are watching your calorie intake, non-alcoholic beers are a good option as they usually contain fewer calories. For example, Coors Edge (0.5% ABV) has 45 calories, and Heineken 0.0 (0.0% ABV) has 69 calories.

In summary, the calorie content of beer varies depending on the type and maker. Light beers typically have fewer calories due to their lower alcohol content, and non-alcoholic beers tend to have the fewest calories. Regular beers with higher alcohol content have more calories, and IPAs and other heavy hitters have the highest calorie counts.

Recommended intake

Beer is believed to have originated in the Middle East almost 5,000 years ago, and it has since become a popular drink worldwide. While it's not exactly a nutritional powerhouse, it's okay to enjoy one in moderation.

The calories in beer come primarily from alcohol and, to a lesser extent, carbohydrates (starches and sugars from unfermented grains). A typical 12-ounce beer has about 140 calories, which is comparable to a can of Coke. However, some beers can have twice that amount, with IPAs, double or imperial IPAs, and Belgian-style Trippels packing 200 to 300 calories.

Light beers, on the other hand, typically have fewer calories. Very low-alcohol beers (2% to 3% alcohol) like Miller 64 have around 60 calories in a 12-ounce serving, while most lights (4% alcohol) have about 100 calories. Non-alcoholic beers are another option, usually containing fewer than 50 calories per 12-ounce serving.

When it comes to recommended intake, it's important to moderate your consumption and stick to healthy limits. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, this means up to one serving per day for women and up to two servings per day for men. A serving is defined as 12 ounces of beer that is five percent alcohol by volume (ABV). It's worth noting that specialty brewer beers may have a higher ABV, so a serving size for these would be smaller, around eight ounces.

To keep track of your intake, consider implementing some helpful strategies. Drinking a glass of water between alcoholic beverages and using a pre-measured cup can help you stay within the recommended limits. Additionally, opting for non-alcoholic or low-calorie beers can also reduce your overall calorie intake.

Frequently asked questions