Wheat Beer: Low-Calorie Alternative Or Myth?

Wheat beer is a popular drink, but is it lower in calories? Well, it depends. Calories in beer are mainly made up of carbs and alcohol, and the number of calories depends on the beer's ABV (alcohol by volume). A typical pour of wine will generally have more calories than a wine-sized portion of beer. However, some beers—like imperial stouts or barley wines—can climb up to 14% ABV, rivalling wine. So, while a 3.5% ABV saison will have fewer calories than most other alcoholic drinks, a 16 fl. oz. pour of a 9% ABV double IPA will have upwards of 350 calories.

Wheat beer's calorie content

The calorie content of wheat beer varies depending on the brand and type of wheat beer. For example, a serving of Sam Adams Cherry Wheat Beer contains 14 calories, while a serving of Krombacher Weizen Wheat Beer contains 150 calories. Sunshine Wheat Beer, on the other hand, has only 86 calories per serving.

The calorie content of beer is influenced by its alcohol by volume (ABV) and pour size. A higher ABV and larger pour size result in more calories. For instance, a 9% ABV double IPA with a 16 fl. oz. pour can contain upwards of 350 calories. Conversely, a 3.5% ABV saison will have significantly fewer calories.

In general, craft beers, seasonal beers, and beers with high alcohol content tend to have more calories than lighter beers. Non-alcoholic beers typically have a lower calorie count.

When considering the calorie content of wheat beer, it's important to remember that calories are a measure of the energy value of food. The amount of calories indicates how much exercise would be needed to burn off the consumed calories. Additionally, the calories in beer come mostly from carbohydrates and alcohol.

Alcohol by volume (ABV)

Wheat beer is not necessarily lower in calories than other beers. The calorie content of beer depends on the alcohol by volume (ABV), the pour size, and the beer style. A 5% ABV beer has around 100 calories from alcohol alone, while a 4% ABV beer has around 80 calories. The ABV of beers typically falls between 3.0% and 13.0%, with most falling between 4.0% and 7.0%. However, some beers have a higher ABV, such as craft beers, which can have up to 12% ABV or more. The higher the ABV, the higher the calorie content of the beer.

ABV, or alcohol by volume, is a measure of the alcohol content in a beverage. It is typically abbreviated and given as a percentage. For example, a 12-ounce bottle of beer with 5.0% ABV contains 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. The ABV is important because it helps determine the number of calories in a drink and can be used to make informed decisions about alcohol consumption. Standard drinks in the United States, containing 0.5 or 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol, are defined as follows:

• Beer: 12 ounces with 5% ABV
• Malt liquor: 8 ounces with 7% ABV
• Wine: 5 ounces with 12% ABV
• Hard liquor: 1.5 ounces with 40% ABV

It is important to note that not all beverages meet the criteria for a standard drink, and different types of alcohol can vary significantly in their ABV and calorie content. For example, a pint of beer at a brewery is typically 15 ounces, larger than the standard serving size. Additionally, craft beers can have a higher ABV, resulting in a higher number of calories per serving. Understanding the ABV and serving size of different alcoholic beverages is crucial for making informed decisions about alcohol consumption and ensuring moderation.

Wheat beer and carbs

Wheat beer is made from fermented grains and the calories it contains are mainly made up of carbs and alcohol. The number of calories in beer varies depending on the type of beer, with a 12 oz serving ranging from 85 to 300 calories. Wheat beers tend to be heavier in carbs than standard macro brews like Bud, Miller, and Coors, and therefore contain more calories. For example, a 16 fl. oz. pour of a 9% ABV double IPA can contain upwards of 350 calories due to its higher alcohol content, increased residual sugar, and higher carbs.

The amount of carbohydrates in a beer depends on how it is made. If the beer has a thicker mouthfeel, darker appearance, and sweeter flavor, it will most likely have more carbs. The amount of carbs in a single, 12 fl. oz. portion of beer can range from 16g down to 3g. In comparison, a 12 fl. oz. portion of root beer contains around 39g of carbs.

A 5% ABV beer has approximately 100 calories from alcohol alone, while a 4% ABV beer has around 80 calories from alcohol. As a general rule, beers with lower ABV and smaller serving sizes will have lower calories and carbs. For example, Tiny House beer has 85 calories and 5.5 carbs per 12 oz. serving, while River Trip, a Belgian-style session ale, has 128 calories and 7.9 carbs per 12 oz. serving.

Craft beers, seasonal beers, and beers with high alcohol content tend to have more calories than lighter beers. If you are watching your calorie intake, alcohol-free beers or lower ABV beers are better options. However, it is important to note that the ingredients used do not necessarily determine the health benefits of a beer. Instead, it is the number of beers consumed that impacts health.

Wheat beer vs. regular beer

Wheat beer and regular beer have some nutritional differences, but whether one is better for you than the other depends on a variety of factors.

Calories

Firstly, it's important to note that the number of calories in beer depends on various factors, including the ABV (alcohol by volume), alcohol by weight, and any remaining sugar in the beer. Generally, the higher the ABV, the more calories a beer will have. However, this is not always the case, as some beers with lower ABVs may have more residual sugar or carbs, which can increase the calorie count.

Now, comparing wheat beer to regular beer, it's worth noting that the type of grain used in the brewing process may not be the most important factor in determining the health benefits. Instead, the ABV, pour size, and amount of residual sugar and carbs are more significant factors.

That being said, wheat beers tend to have a thicker mouthfeel, darker appearance, and sweeter flavor, which may indicate a higher carb content. Additionally, craft beers, which may include some wheat beers, tend to have more taste and, therefore, more carbs.

However, it's important to remember that the overall calorie intake from beer depends on the amount consumed. As such, drinking a smaller amount of a higher-calorie beer may result in a similar calorie intake as a larger amount of a lower-calorie beer.

Examples of Wheat Beer and Their Calorie Content

To give you a better idea, here are a few examples of wheat beers and their approximate calorie content:

• Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat Beer: 14 calories per 1 oz serving
• Sam Adams Cherry Wheat Beer: 14 calories per 1 oz serving
• Sunshine Wheat Beer: 86 calories per serving

So, while wheat beer may have a different nutritional profile than regular beer, the overall impact on your health depends on various factors, including your overall calorie intake, physical activity, and other lifestyle choices. It's always important to consume alcohol in moderation and ensure it fits within your daily calorie and nutritional needs.

Low-calorie wheat beer options

Wheat beers are not necessarily lower in calories than other beers. The number of calories in a beer depends on its alcohol by volume (ABV) and pour size. Wheat beers tend to have a lower alcohol content than other beers, but they can still contain a significant number of calories. For example, a 12-ounce serving of a 4% ABV beer will contain approximately 153 calories. A higher ABV will result in more calories.

• Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat Beer: 14 calories per ounce, or approximately 168 calories per 12-ounce serving.
• Sam Adams Cherry Wheat Beer: 14 calories per ounce, or approximately 168 calories per 12-ounce serving.
• Sunshine Wheat Beer: 86 calories per serving.
• Saranac IPA 100: 100 calories, 4% ABV, 30 IBU, and 5g of carbs per serving.
• Flyjack Firestone Walker Brewing Co.: 96 calories, 4% ABV, 25 IBU, and 5g of carbs per serving.
• Weisse 'N' Easy Spoetzl Brewery: 95 calories, 4% ABV, 10 IBU, and 2.9g of carbs per serving.
• Good Behavior Odell Brewing Co.: 110 calories, 4% ABV, 37 IBU, and 7g of carbs per serving.

Frequently asked questions