Best Low-Cal Beers: Enjoy Guilt-Free Sips This Summer!

Beer is often associated with being fattening and full of calories, but there are plenty of low-calorie options available that don't compromise on taste. Brewers have been working hard to create beers with reduced calories that still retain the flavour and character of a world-class beer.

The key to reducing calories in beer is to lower the number of carbohydrates that come from malt and grains. Alcohol content is also typically reduced, as one gram of alcohol contains about seven calories.

Some of the lowest-calorie beers include Budweiser Select with 55 calories per 12 ounces, Moosehead Cracked Canoe with 90 calories per 12 ounces, and Yuengling Light Lager with 99 calories per 12 ounces. Even popular beers like Corona, Heineken, and Guinness have low-calorie options, allowing beer lovers to enjoy a cold one without the added guilt.

Low-calorie lagers

Lagers are the most popular type of beer, known for their light, clean taste. While they are typically crisp, pilsners, a type of lager, are slightly bitterer. They come in three main colours: pale, amber, and dark.

• Budweiser Select (2.4% ABV): 55 calories
• Molson Ultra (3% ABV): 70 calories
• Moosehead Cracked Canoe (3.5% ABV): 90 calories
• Sleeman Light (4% ABV): 90 calories
• Busch Light (4.1% ABV): 91 calories
• Labatt Premier (4% ABV): 92 calories
• Amstel Light (4% ABV): 95 calories
• Anheuser-Busch Natural Light (4.2% ABV): 95 calories
• Miller Lite (4.2% ABV): 96 calories
• Heineken Light (4.2% ABV): 97 calories
• Bud Select (2.4% ABV): 99 calories
• Corona Light (3.7% ABV): 99 calories
• Yuengling Light Lager (3.8% ABV): 99 calories
• Coors Light (4.2% ABV): 102 calories
• Carlsberg Lite (4% ABV): 102 calories
• Bud Light (4.2% ABV): 103 calories
• Labatt Blue Light (4% ABV): 108 calories
• Brava Light (4% ABV): 112 calories
• Moosehead Light (4% ABV): 115 calories
• Samuel Adams (4.3% ABV): 124 calories

Other Low-Calorie Beers

In addition to the above lagers, there are several other low-calorie beers available, including ales and stouts. For example, Guinness Draught, an Irish stout, has only 125-126 calories per serving.

Low-calorie, non-alcoholic beers are also an option for those who want to avoid alcohol but still enjoy a cold beverage. Some examples include:

• Coors Edge (0.5% ABV): 45 calories
• Becks Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.0% ABV): 60 calories
• Heineken 0.0 (0.0% ABV): 69 calories
• Bavaria 0.0% Beer (0.0% ABV): 85 calories
• Budweiser Prohibition Brew (0.0% ABV): 150 calories

Low-calorie ales

Ales are typically produced in colder, northern countries such as Canada, Germany, and Belgium, and are often made by microbreweries. They are brewed at higher temperatures and fermented using a different type of yeast than lagers, resulting in a fruity taste and a stronger, bitter flavor. India Pale Ale (IPA) and saison are among the most popular varieties.

• Le Petit Prince 2.9% ABV): With only 75 calories per can, this dry, unspiced table beer is brewed in Texas. It offers a well-balanced blend of fantastic, fruity flavors with a refreshing tartness.
• Dogfish Head Slighty Mighty 4% ABV): This low-calorie IPA from Dogfish Head is perfect for those who want a fruity brew without the extra calories. With notes of pineapple, coconut, and citrus, it's a refreshing option at only 95 calories.
• Lagunitas DayTime 4% ABV): A laid-back IPA created in Northern California, perfect for a relaxing afternoon. It has fruity flavors and a low ABV, making it an excellent choice for hot weather. Expect notes of pineapple, melon, grape, and lemongrass.
• Boulevard Brewing Easy Sport 4.1% ABV): At 99 calories, this easy-drinking ale is a great option for those looking for a low-calorie craft beer.
• Lakefront Eazy Teazy 3.4% ABV): This ale has a low calorie count of 99 and a smooth, easy-drinking flavor.
• Kona Kanaha Blonde Ale 4.2% ABV): A refreshing, lower-calorie option that pairs well with grilled seafood. It has a sweet and bright flavor, reminiscent of a perfect island day.
• Southern Tier Swipe Light 4% ABV): A low-calorie ale with a crisp, summery flavor. It's a good choice to accompany a meal without overpowering the food.
• Mural Agua Fresca Cerveza 4% ABV): This low-calorie ale has a refreshing flavor and comes in at 110 calories.
• Harpoon Rec League 3.8% ABV): A light and refreshing ale with only 120 calories, making it perfect for summer days.
• Boston Beer 26.2 Brew 4% ABV): This low-calorie ale has a smooth and easy-drinking flavor, coming in at 120 calories.
• Firestone Walker Easy Jack 4% ABV): A flavorful and easy-drinking ale with only 120 calories.

So, if you're looking for a refreshing and tasty beer without the extra calories, these low-calorie ales are excellent choices!

Low-calorie stouts

Stouts are a type of ale that uses roasted barley to create a rich, dark colour. While they are known for being higher in calories, the roasting process generally affects the colour of the beer rather than the calorie count. Here are some low-calorie stouts that you can try:

Guinness Extra

With 5.6% ABV, Guinness Extra has only 126 calories per 12 ounces (354 ml). It is perceived as being higher in calories than a lot of beers, perhaps due to its creamy top and rich flavour. However, it is not much more calorific than many lighter beers, and in many cases, it has fewer calories. Its dark colour and sweetness come from small amounts of roasted barley, while the creamy texture results from its use of CO2 and nitrogen in its carbonation. Nitrogen bubbles are smaller than CO2 bubbles, resulting in a smoother mouthfeel.

Odell Brewing Cutthroat

Odell Brewing Cutthroat is another low-calorie stout option with 5% ABV and 145 calories per 12 ounces (354 ml).

Young’s Double Chocolate Stout

Young’s Double Chocolate Stout has 5.2% ABV and 150 calories per 12 ounces (354 ml).

Taddy Porter

Taddy Porter has 5% ABV and 186 calories per 12 ounces (354 ml).

Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout

Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout has 5% ABV and 190 calories per 12 ounces (354 ml).

Murphy’s Irish Stout

Murphy’s Irish Stout is a low-calorie stout with 4% ABV and 192 calories per 12 ounces (354 ml).

Low-calorie gluten-free beers

Low-Calorie, Gluten-Free Beers

Gluten-free beers are usually made from gluten-free grains like millet, sorghum, and rice. However, some gluten-free beers are made using malted barley, which is a gluten-containing ingredient. In these cases, an enzyme is introduced to the beer to break down the gluten.

• Glutenberg Blonde — 160 calories per 12 ounces, 4.5% ABV
• Green's IPA — 160 calories per 12 ounces, 6% ABV
• Holidaily Favorite Blonde — 161 calories per 12 ounces, 5% ABV
• Coors Peak — 170 calories per 12 ounces, 4.7% ABV
• Omission Ultimate Light — 99 calories per 12 ounces, 4.2% ABV. This beer is made using malted barley and an enzyme to break down the gluten. It contains 5 grams of carbohydrates and has been praised for its light, malty flavours and slight hoppiness. However, some people with coeliac disease have reported reactions to this beer, so it may be best avoided if you are particularly sensitive to gluten.
• St. Peter's Sorgham Beer — 126 calories per 16.9 ounces, 4.2% ABV. This caramel brown English brown ale is made with sorghum, a gluten-free grain with a neutral, lightly sweet flavour. It is reported to have a faint, warm flavour and a medium body, although some people find it has an off-putting bitter taste.
• Joseph James FoxTail Pale Ale — 130 calories per 12 ounces, 5% ABV. This beer is made from organic brown rice and is described as light and crisp, although some people find it soapy.

Low-calorie non-alcoholic beers

Non-alcoholic beers are a great option for those who want to enjoy a cold beverage without the alcohol content or the calories. Here are some excellent low-calorie non-alcoholic beers:

Coors Edge

Coors Edge is a non-alcoholic beer with 0.5% ABV and only 45 calories, making it a perfect choice for those who want to avoid alcohol but still enjoy a refreshing drink.

Beck's Non-Alcoholic Beer

Beck's Non-Alcoholic Beer is another excellent option with no alcohol content and only 60 calories. It's a win-win for those who want a beer without the buzz and the calories.

Heineken 0.0

Heineken 0.0 is a non-alcoholic beer with no alcohol content and only 69 calories. It has refreshingly fruity notes and tastes very similar to the original Heineken, making it a popular choice among those who want to cut down on alcohol without compromising on taste.

Bavaria 0.0% Beer

Bavaria 0.0% Beer is a non-alcoholic beer with no alcohol content and 85 calories. It's a great option for those who want to enjoy a beer without the buzz, as it has a delicious taste that rivals that of regular beer.

Budweiser Prohibition Brew

Budweiser Prohibition Brew is a non-alcoholic beer with no alcohol content and 150 calories. It's a good alternative for those who want to avoid alcohol but still want to enjoy the classic Budweiser taste.

In addition to these options, there are several other non-alcoholic beers available that may have slightly higher calorie counts but are still lower in calories compared to regular beers. These include:

• Lucky Saint Unfiltered Lager (53 calories)
• Big Drop Brewing Co Paradiso Citra IPA (10 calories)
• Days Brewing Lager (73 calories)
• Corona Cero Alcohol Free Beer (56 calories)
• Beavertown Lazer Crush IPA (83 calories)

Frequently asked questions