Calories In Beer Vs. Wine: Which Has More?

Beer and wine are two of the most popular alcoholic drinks, and they differ not only in flavour but also in ingredients and nutritional value. Beer is made using grains and yeast, and the calorie content varies depending on the type of beer. Lighter beers tend to have fewer calories than darker beers. Wine is made with fermented grapes, and the number of calories varies depending on the alcohol content and ingredient density. So, which drink has more calories?

Beer is made from grains and yeast, and calories depend on type

Beer is made from grains, such as barley and wheat, and yeast. Brewers make beer by fermenting grains, which contain carbohydrates. Most beers also contain added sugars, further increasing the carbohydrate level. The number of grains and added sugars that remain in the beer depends on the fermentation process. Beer is also a source of carbohydrates, with dark beers tending to have more carbs than light beers due to the way they are brewed with added malts.

Beer is also a source of B vitamins, folate, niacin, magnesium, and potassium. However, whole foods are better sources of these vitamins and minerals, and calories from alcohol do not adequately provide the nutrition that your body needs.

The exact number of calories in beer will depend on the type of brew and the amount consumed. In general, lighter colour beers tend to contain fewer calories than their darker counterparts. This is because lighter beers have a lower alcohol content and lower ingredient density. For example, most light beers tend to have between 60 and 120 calories, while dark beers have between 100 and 300 calories due to their higher carbohydrate content.

Beer also varies in terms of protein content. Beer supplies minimal protein, with light beers providing about 0.7g of protein and regular or dark beers providing about 1.6g.

When it comes to weight gain, consuming too many empty calories, specifically carbohydrates, is often the culprit. While beer is high in carbohydrates, it does not contain fat and has only trace amounts of protein. Therefore, drinking large amounts of beer can result in consuming a significant number of empty calories.

Additionally, the expression "beer belly" holds some truth as beer tends to have a higher calorie content than wine. On average, a pint of beer has 50% more energy content than a small glass of wine, which can lead to weight gain if not consumed in moderation.

Wines have different calories based on colour and alcohol content

Rose wine has, on average, around 70-80 calories per 100ml, while white wine has 73-83 calories per 100ml, and red wine tends to contain between 75-85 calories per 100ml. This is because red wine tends to have a higher alcohol content, and wines with a higher alcohol content will usually contain more calories than wines with a lower alcohol content.

The calories in wine and beer come from two sources: carbs and alcohol. Every gram of carbohydrate contains 4 calories, while every gram of alcohol contains 7 calories. Alcohol in wine comes from the fermented sugar in grape juice, and the alcohol in beer comes from fermentable carbohydrates in barley and, to a lesser extent, other grains like wheat and rye.

Wine tends to be higher in alcohol by volume (ABV) than beer, ranging from 10-15% ABV, while beer is usually between 3.5-6% ABV. Beer is usually served in higher volumes than wine. While a glass of wine is around 150ml, beer is typically served in schooners or pints, which are 425ml and 570ml respectively.

Taking serving sizes into account, the calorie difference from alcohol content isn't that different between the two. A 150ml glass of wine has 80-140 calories from alcohol, and a 425ml schooner of beer has 80-140 alcohol calories, despite its lower alcohol content.

Beer, however, is significantly higher in carbs because the yeast is unable to ferment all the carbs in the beer. Therefore, a 425ml schooner of beer contains 6-18 grams of carbs, or 24-72 calories from carbs. Lighter beers like lagers and pilsners are on the lower end, and heavier ales and dark beers are on the higher end.

Beer has more calories than wine per serving

Beer typically has more calories than wine per serving, despite wine tending to have a higher alcohol content.

According to the NHS, a standard 175ml glass of 12% ABV wine contains around 133 calories. The type and colour of wine you choose can have a large effect on the calorie content. For example, rosé wine has on average around 70-80 calories per 100ml, white wine has 73-83 calories per 100ml, and red wine tends to contain between 75-85 calories per 100ml.

On average, a pint of 5% ABV beer contains around 240 calories. Lighter-coloured beers tend to contain fewer calories than their darker counterparts, as they have a lower alcohol content and ingredient density. Most light beers tend to have between 60 and 120 calories, whilst dark beers have between 100 and 300 calories.

The calorie difference between beer and wine can be accounted for by the leftover carbohydrates found in beer. Wine, by comparison, typically has a relatively low sugar content.

It's worth noting that counting calories from alcohol as part of your calorie intake doesn't make much sense. Alcohol doesn't get processed as fuel by our bodies as readily as carbs do. It gets treated more like a toxin, and only a small fraction of the calories from alcohol are actually taken on by the body.

However, if you're watching your weight, it's still important to be mindful of your alcohol consumption. Alcoholic drinks can hinder your weight loss goals when consumed in large amounts, as they provide non-essential or "empty" calories.

Beer has more carbohydrates than wine

Beer and wine are two of the most popular alcoholic drinks, and they differ in flavour, ingredients, and nutritional value. While both drinks have their own unique benefits, beer has more carbohydrates than wine.

Sources of Calories in Beer and Wine

The calories in beer and wine come from two sources: carbohydrates and alcohol. Each gram of carbohydrates contains 4 calories, and each gram of alcohol contains 7 calories. The alcohol in wine comes from the fermented sugar in grape juice, while the alcohol in beer comes from fermentable carbohydrates in barley and, to a lesser extent, other grains like wheat and rye.

Carbohydrates in Beer and Wine

Beer is made from grains, which makes it significantly higher in carbohydrates. The yeast used in the brewing process is unable to ferment all the carbohydrates in the beer. As a result, a 425ml schooner of beer contains 6-18 grams of carbohydrates, or 24-72 calories from carbohydrates. On the other hand, both dry red and white wines are pretty low in sugar content, with generally between 0.5-2 grams per 150ml glass, which equates to 2-8 calories from carbohydrates.

Calories in Beer and Wine

The calorie content of beer and wine can vary depending on factors such as alcohol content and ingredient density. Beer, which is made using grains and yeast, typically has more calories than wine. Most light beers have between 60 and 120 calories, while dark beers, which tend to have more carbohydrates, have between 100 and 300 calories. Similarly, wine, which is made with fermented grapes, has between 120 and 210 calories per six-ounce glass, with red wine typically having a slightly higher calorie content due to the inclusion of grape skins in the fermentation process.

Health Benefits of Beer and Wine

Despite the higher carbohydrate content of beer, both drinks offer some health benefits. Red wine, in particular, is known for its high levels of antioxidants, including resveratrol, which has been linked to improved heart health and a reduced risk of certain types of cancer. Beer, on the other hand, is a significant source of dietary silicon, which can improve bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Alcohol calories are treated like toxins by the body

Alcohol has a toxic effect on many organs, particularly the brain, liver, oesophagus, and stomach. When you drink, your metabolic system must stop what it's doing (like burning off calories from your last meal) to get rid of the alcohol. This is because the body can't store calories from alcohol for later, the way it does with food calories. So, whatever you recently ate gets stored as fat instead.

Alcohol also changes how the body uses nutrients. When you drink alcohol, your body is less able to absorb and use a variety of nutrients that can protect it from cancer. These nutrients include vitamins A, B1, B6, C, D, E, and K, folate, iron, and selenium. They help to keep the body healthy, protect cells, create and repair DNA, and reduce inflammation.

Alcohol is also high in empty calories. It provides calories but no other nutrients. Consuming more calories than your body needs can lead to weight gain, and excess body weight increases a person's risk for cancer and other diseases.

In addition, alcohol can alter the body's oral and gut microbiome, which is the balance of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that help to keep the body healthy. The gut microbiome is a critical link between the digestive system, the liver, and the immune system, playing a big part in how the body metabolises alcohol and manages the toxins that come from it.

Frequently asked questions