Beer has been consumed for centuries and was once considered one of the healthiest drinks available. While excessive drinking is harmful, moderate beer consumption may have some health benefits. These include a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers, as well as improved gut and heart health. The healthiest beers are typically light in colour, low in calories and carbs, and have less than 5% alcohol by volume. Here are some of the healthiest beers to consider:

Characteristics of the healthiest beers to drink

Healthiest beers for your liver

When it comes to the healthiest beers for your liver, it's important to remember that excessive alcohol consumption can be harmful. While there is no beer that is solely healthy for your liver, quantity plays a significant role in maintaining liver health. The risk of liver cirrhosis, or severe scarring of the liver, increases with total alcohol intake, even with moderate drinking. Therefore, drinking in moderation is crucial.

With that in mind, certain types of beers may be better choices for liver health. Studies suggest that beers with higher levels of hops, such as bitter beers like India Pale Ales (IPAs) and Extra Special Bitters (ESBs), can help mitigate the negative effects of alcohol on the liver. Hops contribute to the bitter characteristics of the brew, and a compound in hops is believed to have a protective antioxidant effect that minimises cell damage in the liver.

Ale-style beers are also worth considering. They have been found to exhibit higher antioxidant activity than lager-style beers due to their higher fermentation temperature during the brewing process. These antioxidants may offer some protective effects against cardiovascular disease. Additionally, beer's polyphenols and ethanol have been linked to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions, further contributing to potential health benefits.

Light beers are often recommended as a healthier choice due to their lower alcohol content and fewer calories. Organic beers also tend to have lower alcohol and calorie content per serving compared to their traditional counterparts. Non-alcoholic beers are another option, typically containing 100 calories or fewer while mimicking the taste of standard beer.

While these options may be better for your liver, it's important to remember that drinking in moderation is still crucial. The strength and volume of alcohol consumed are the key factors in determining the impact on your liver. Sticking to recommended serving sizes, such as 12 ounces for beer, can help minimise the impact on your liver.

Healthiest beers for weight loss

Beer is often associated with weight gain due to its high calorie and carbohydrate content. However, this doesn't mean you have to give it up completely if you're trying to lose weight. The key is to choose beers with lower alcohol and carbohydrate content and to consume them in moderation. Here are some of the healthiest beers to help support your weight loss journey:

Budweiser Select 55

With just 55 calories, Budweiser Select 55 is one of the lowest-calorie beers available. It has zero grams of fat and a light-bodied golden lager taste with notes of white bread dough, lightly toasted biscuit, and light caramel.

Miller Genuine Draft 64

Miller Genuine Draft 64 is an excellent choice if you're looking for a low-calorie and low-carb beer. It has only 64 calories, 2.4 grams of carbohydrates, and an alcohol content of 2.8 percent.

Michelob Ultra

Michelob Ultra is a popular choice for those watching their weight. It has 95 calories, 2.6 grams of carbs, and an alcohol content of 4.2 percent. It's a good option if you're looking for a beer with a citrusy, light taste.

Corona Light

Corona Light is another great option, with 99 calories, 5 grams of carbs, and 3.2 percent alcohol. It's a refreshing choice, especially if you prefer a lighter beer.

Ghostfish Shrouded Summit White Ale

This gluten-free beer has the taste of a classic wheat ale without the gluten. It's brewed with millet, rice, and buckwheat, making it a perfect option for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. It has 125 calories, 8 grams of carbs, and an alcohol content of 4.5 percent.

Heineken Light

Heineken Light is a healthier option, with 90 calories, 6 grams of carbs, and an alcohol content of 3.3 percent. It's also non-GMO, which means the ingredients haven't been genetically modified.

Blue Moon LightSky

Blue Moon LightSky is a low-calorie, low-carb rendition of their classic brew. It has under 100 calories, 4% ABV, and features notes of tangerine and tropical hops.

Beck's Non-Alcoholic Beer

If you're looking for a non-alcoholic option, Beck's Non-Alcoholic Beer is a great choice. It still has the malty, hoppy flavor of a traditional beer but without the alcohol content. It has 68 calories, 10 grams of carbs, and an alcohol content of 0.3 percent.

While enjoying the occasional beer is fine, remember that moderation is key. It's also important to be mindful of your food choices when drinking, as beer can increase cravings for fried, cheesy, and carb-heavy foods. Planning your meals ahead of time can help you stay on track with your weight loss goals. Additionally, alternating between beer and sparkling water can help you stay hydrated and reduce your overall alcohol consumption.

Healthiest beers for your heart

While beer is not exactly a superfood, drinking it in moderation can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Beer has more protein and B vitamins than wine, and just as many healthy antioxidants. These antioxidants in beer, called phenols, come from malt and hops—two of the main ingredients in beer.

Drinking beer in moderation—one or fewer drinks per day for women and one or two drinks per day for men—is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

Stouts and Porters

Stouts and porters are among the healthiest beers, packed with antioxidants. They feature dark roasted malts in the mash bill, giving the beer a roasted chocolate and coffee aroma and flavor. Some varieties include dry stouts, milk stouts, oatmeal stouts, and imperial and Russian imperial stouts. Imperial and Russian Imperial Stouts are considered big beers, typically with 8-12% alcohol, and include more malt and hops in the brewing process.

Higher Hoppy Beers

Beers with higher levels of hops, such as DIPAs and Imperial IPAs, also have high levels of antioxidants. These beers are often quite bitter, with a hoppy flavor, and have more decadent flavors and aromas.

Trappist Beers

Trappist beers are famous Belgian beers, often ranked among the best in the world. They are brewed within the walls of a Trappist monastery or in the adjacent area, either by monks or under their direct supervision. Trappist monks control the brewing and commercialization of these beers, and any profits benefit the monastic community or a charity.

Spontaneously Fermented Beers

Spontaneously fermented beers, such as Lambics and Gose, are produced through spontaneous fermentation without using any starter culture. Lambics have healthy probiotics from this unique fermentation process, which benefits your digestive system. They also have different antioxidant compounds due to their brewing techniques.

Light Beers

Light beers are often recommended for those watching their weight or calorie intake. They tend to have lower alcohol content, fewer calories, and less full-bodied flavors. However, they may also have fewer antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.

Healthiest beers for your gut

While beer is often associated with a high-calorie, high-carb beverage, several studies suggest that the essential minerals and antioxidants in your favourite brew can support your gut and heart health.

Hoegaarden Original White Ale

A professor at Amsterdam University found that drinking a Belgian beer may be just as good at introducing beneficial bacteria to your gut as taking a probiotic supplement. Hoegaarden's Original White Ale is double-fermented, which means you'll be consuming a small amount of gut-supporting live yeast. This sweet and sour brew features hints of orange and coriander.

Ghostfish Shrouded Summit White Ale

This beer has the taste of a classic wheat ale without the gluten. It's brewed with millet, rice, and buckwheat, making it a great option for anyone with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. It has notes of juniper and citrus, with an ABV of 4.5%, 8g of carbs, and 125 calories.

Budweiser Select 55

With just 55 calories, Budweiser's Select 55 is one of the lowest-calorie beers on the market. The light-bodied golden lager has zero grams of fat and features notes of white bread dough, lightly toasted biscuit, and light caramel.

Guinness Extra Stout

Guinness Extra Stout is packed with antioxidants and malt-derived phenols that can help your body fight free radicals. It also contains a decent amount of folate, which has been linked to boosting sperm count and healthy erections. It has an ABV of 6%, 114g of carbs, and 176 calories.

Crooked Stave Sour Rosé

This unique sour ale is brewed with wild yeast and fermented in oak casks with blueberries and raspberries. It's one of the lowest-calorie sour beers around, with a bright, bubbly, and sweet flavour.

Abita Purple Haze

Abita Purple Haze is a favourite among those who prefer a sweeter beer with a fruity flavour. It's brewed with fresh raspberry puree, which introduces essential B and C vitamins.

Healthiest gluten-free beers

While beer may not be the healthiest drink, some beers are healthier than others. Generally, the healthiest beers are light in colour and have a light, refreshing taste. They tend to be lower in calories, alcohol content, and carbs.

Ground Breaker Brewing Dark Ale

This inventive gluten-free brewery based in Portland, Oregon, uses darkly roasted chestnuts and lentils to create a flavour profile reminiscent of dark chocolate dunked in chicory coffee.

Omission Beer Ultimate Light Golden Ale

For those monitoring both their gluten and calorie intake, Omission created this 99-calorie winner. This gluten-reduced golden ale packs a belly-friendly five carbs per 12-ounce bottle, and Citra and Galaxy hops supply a melon-y, tropical aroma.

New Planet Beer Blonde Ale

New Planet's gluten-free blonde ale is as bright and refreshing as a summertime dip in a swimming pool. It’s made with millet, gluten-free oats, and blue corn, with the latter ingredient helping to lighten the beer’s body.

Burning Brothers Brewing Roasted Coffee Strong Ale

This gluten-free brewery based in Minnesota specialises in beers such as the caramel-accented Roasted, which is kicked up with cold-brew coffee.

Holidaily Brewing Company BuckWit Belgian

Founder Karen Hertz’s Colorado brewery makes full-flavoured, zero-gluten beers using native grains, including millet and buckwheat. The latter stars in this citrusy witbier, with the grain’s nuttiness neatly integrated into the beer.

Ghostfish Brewing Company Grapefruit IPA

Known for adventurous gluten-free beers, Seattle’s Ghostfish uses buckwheat, millet, and brown rice as its favoured grains. This bold and bitter Grapefruit IPA packs a live-wire citric jolt that’ll make any IPA junkie smile.

Duck Foot Brewing Company Drink This or the Bees Die

A Celiac disease diagnosis led founder Matt DelVecchio, a hard-core homebrewer, to switch to making gluten-reduced beer. His San Diego brewery sources locally produced honey to make this sweetly scented, dry-finishing beer.

Stone Brewing Delicious IPA

Stone has brewed some of America’s finest IPAs for more than two decades, and Delicious continues the San Diego brewery’s hit streak. Lemondrop and El Dorado hops give this gluten-reduced IPA a bouquet not unlike lemons crossed with watermelon Jolly Ranchers.

New Belgium Brewing Company Glütiny Pale Ale

New Belgium has made grade-A beer since 1991, so you can trust this gluten-reduced pale ale to deliver on quality and value. You’ll dig the toasty, lightly sweet amber beer’s aromas of papaya and guava, courtesy of recently released Equinox hops.

Two Brothers Artisan Brewing Prairie Path Golden Ale

The gluten-reduced golden ale features a subtle lemony flavour that makes it an ideal friend to lighter fare such as vinaigrette-dressed salads or some salmon and herbaceous roast chicken. Fun fact: Two Brothers has brewed Prairie Path for several decades.

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