Beers To Avoid: The Worst Brews You Shouldn't Try

With so many beers to choose from, it can be hard to know which ones to avoid. Whether you're looking for a beer that won't affect your waistline or one that won't leave a bad taste in your mouth, there are plenty of brews that you might want to give a miss.

If you're watching your weight, you might want to avoid high-calorie beers like Bud Light Straw-Ber-Rita, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, and Corona Extra. These beers are also high in carbs, which can be a concern if you're trying to cut down on your carbohydrate intake.

Some beers are considered unpleasant to drink, whether due to their lack of flavour or their strange combinations of ingredients. Beers that are often cited as being particularly bad include Bud Light Chelada Clamato, Tecate Titanium, Cave Creek Chili Beer, and Camo 900 High Gravity Lager.

So, if you're looking for a beer to avoid, whether for health reasons or to protect your taste buds, there are plenty of options that you might want to steer clear of.

Worst Beers to Not Drink

Worst beers with high calories

When it comes to the worst beers to drink, several sources have compiled lists based on taste, calories, and carbohydrates. While personal preference plays a role in determining the worst beers, this discussion will focus on beers with high calories.

Many popular beers are high in calories, and some of the most well-known brands can be found on this list. Here are some of the worst offenders in terms of calorie count:

• Bud Light Straw-Ber-Rita: With 198 calories per 8-ounce serving, this strawberry margarita and Bud Light Lime mix is a sugar-packed party in a cup.
• Guinness Extra Stout: Coming in at 176 calories per bottle, this beer is full of extra calories. Opt for Guinness Draught instead, which is lower in calories.
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale: This classic beer, first released in 1981, has 175 calories per can. While it's a well-respected and complex brew, it's best saved for special occasions.
• Samuel Adams Boston Lager: Samuel Adams is a popular beer, but with 175 calories per bottle, it's not the best choice if you're watching your waistline. Their light variety is a better option.
• Blue Moon Belgian White: This overly sweet and cloying beer has 164 calories per bottle. It's masqueraded as an American craft beer, but it's brewed by a giant company.
• Corona Extra: With 156 calories per bottle, Corona Extra is not a healthy choice. The iconic clear bottles also allow high UV light exposure, which can ruin the beer's flavour.
• Budweiser: Budweiser is a classic domestic beer, but with 145 calories per bottle, it's higher in calories than you might want.
• Modelo Especial: This pale lager has 144 calories per bottle, and there are better options available.
• Heineken Lager: Heineken is a popular choice, but it's pretty high in calories at 141 per bottle. It also doesn't travel or age well, so it's best enjoyed in the country it's brewed—the Netherlands.
• Miller High Life: While not the worst offender, Miller High Life has 141 calories per bottle, so it's best to know when to call it quits after one.

These beers are not only high in calories but also tend to be high in carbohydrates, which can be another concern for those watching their diet. It's important to remember that drinking in moderation is key, and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to negative health effects.

Worst beers with high ABV

When it comes to the worst beers with high ABV, there are a few contenders that come to mind. While it's important to note that people's preferences may vary, and some may disagree with the following assessments, these beers have received less-than-stellar reviews from critics and drinkers alike. Here are some of the worst beers with high ABV that you may want to avoid:

• Busch Ice: Produced by Anheuser-Busch, Busch Ice has an ABV of 5.9%. While some reviewers rave about its "silky smooth viscosity" and "surprisingly decent" taste, it has also received criticism and ranked among the worst beers by BeerAdvocate.
• Keystone Ice: With an ABV of 5.5%, Keystone Ice is brewed at below-freezing temperatures to achieve a smooth flavor at a higher alcohol level. However, it has been described as having an unpleasant smell and taste, with one reviewer noting it smells like "sweet, sugary corn mash, a sort of grape-flavoured vodka essence, and musty, dusty, 'hops'."
• Red Dog: Miller Brewing Co.'s Red Dog has an ABV of 4.8%. It is often associated with being cheap and targeted towards young college students. Reviews describe it as "awful in almost every way" and barely tasting like beer.
• Coors Light: Coors Light, with an ABV of 4.2%, is a well-known beer that doesn't live up to expectations. Reviews describe it as having "adjunct aromas with corn" and a "metallic hop bite." While it may be refreshing on a hot day, it falls short in terms of flavor and taste.
• Bud Light: As one of the most popular light beers in the US, Bud Light has an ABV of 4.2%. However, it has its fair share of detractors. Reviews describe the taste as "corn flakes, barley, and an almost mineral flavor", lacking the depth and flavor expected from a beer.
• Miller Genuine Draft 64: This light lager from Miller Brewing Co. has a low ABV of 2.8%. Reviewers have described it as "pretty much indistinguishable from Miller Lite" and "so light it's barely beer." It often disappoints those looking for a more robust flavor.

While these beers may have their fans, the general consensus among critics and drinkers is that they fall short in terms of taste, flavor, and overall drinking experience. So, if you're looking for a high-ABV beer to enjoy, you may want to steer clear of these options and explore other choices that better suit your palate.

Worst-rated beers by BeerAdvocate

BeerAdvocate has a list of the worst-rated beers, which are reviewed by users on the website. Here is a list of some of the lowest-rated beers on BeerAdvocate, sorted alphabetically:

• Amstel Light
• Amsterdam Maximator
• Antarctica Pilsen
• Angkor Beer
• Balhai Hai Premium PT
• Beck's Non-Alcoholic
• Best Damn Root Beer
• Bir Bintang Pilsner Bintang
• Birra Peroni
• Black Label Beer
• Blonde Ale
• Boris Bold
• Brahma
• Brahma Chopp
• Bud Ice
• Bud Light
• Bud Light & Clamato Chelada
• Bud Light Lime
• Bud Light Next
• Bud Light Platinum
• Budweiser
• Budweiser 4.8%
• Budweiser 66
• Budweiser Select
• Budweiser Select 55
• Budweiser Shot
• Busch Beer
• Busch Ice
• Busch Light
• Camo 900 High Gravity Lager
• Camo Black Extra
• Camo Black Ice
• Camo Silver Ice
• Cantina World Brews
• Carta Blanca
• Cass Fresh
• Carling Beer
• Carling Black Label
• Carling Lager
• Carlton Draught
• Carlton Midstrength
• Cascade Pale Ale
• Castlemaine Perkins
• Cervesa Cristal
• Cervesa Pacifico Clara
• Champale Golden
• Chelada
• China Resources Breweries Snow Beer
• Coors Banquet
• Coors Extra Gold
• Coors Light
• Colt 45 Malt Liquor
• Colt 45 Strong Beer
• Corona Extra
• Corona Light
• Corona Premier
• Country Club Malt Liquor
• Cruzcampo Lager
• Desparados
• Dos Equis Special Lager
• Duft Beer
• Faxe Extra Strong
• Famosa
• Finkle Brau Pilsener
• Foster's Lager
• Genessee Beer
• Genessee Ice Beer
• Grain Belt Premium Light
• Green's Discovery Amber Ale
• Grolsch
• Hahn Premium Light
• Heineken Lager Beer
• Heineken Premium Light Lager
• Hurricane Malt Liquor
• Icehouse
• Icehouse Edge
• Ichnusa
• Imperial Jack
• Iron City Beer
• Kalik
• Kaliber
• Kirin Ichiban
• Kirin Lager
• Kirin Light Beer
• Kokanee
• Labatt Blue
• Labatt Blue Light
• Labatt Ice
• Labatt Max Ice
• Labatt Wildcat Strong
• Landshark Lager
• Light Beer Kirkland Signature
• Lone Star
• Lone Star Light
• Lucky Buddha Enlightened Beer
• Lucky Lager
• Maclay's Traditional Pale Ale
• Melbourne Bitter
• Michelob Golden Draft
• Michelob Golden Draft Light
• Michelob Honey Lager
• Michelob Ultra
• Michelob Ultra Amber
• Michelob Ultra Infusions Lime & Prickly Pear Cactus
• Mickey's
• Miller 64
• Miller Genuine Draft
• Miller High Life
• Miller High Life Light
• Miller Lite
• Milwaukee's Best
• Milwaukee's Best Ice
• Milwaukee's Best Light
• Molson Canadian
• Molson Canadian 6.0 Cold Shots
• Molson Canadian Light
• Molson Dry
• Molson Golden
• Molson Ice
• Molson XXX
• Mountain Crest Classic Lager Beer
• Mythos
• Natty Daddy (6%)
• Natty Daddy (8%)
• Natural Ice
• Natural Light
• New Grist Gluten-Free Pilsner Style Beer
• OB Lager Beer
• Oculto
• Old German
• Old Milwaukee
• Old Milwaukee Ice
• Old Milwaukee Light
• Old Monk 10000
• Olde English 800
• Pacifico Light
• Pale Ale
• Pabst Blue Ribbon (Canada)
• Pabst Blue Ribbon Light
• Pink Killer
• Presidente
• Presidente Light
• Pure Blonde
• Quaker State
• Quilmes
• Red Dog
• Red Horse Beer: Extra Strong
• Redbridge
• Redd's Apple Ale
• Redd's Strawberry Ale
• Rock Ice Limon
• Rolling Rock Extra Pale
• Royal Challenge Indian Premium Lager

Worst beers with low flavour

When it comes to the worst beers with low flavour, several options come to mind. Here are some detailed descriptions of these beers, along with insights from reviewers:

Bud Light

Bud Light, produced by Anheuser-Busch, is one of the most popular light beers in the United States. However, it has its fair share of detractors who criticise its lack of flavour. One reviewer describes the taste as "corn flakes, barley, and an almost mineral flavour. Not really much else. On the sweeter end of the spectrum." It pairs well with sports and maybe food, if you're drunk enough.

Coors Light

Coors Light, brewed by the Coors Brewing Company, is a ubiquitous light beer that is not known for its dynamic flavour. Reviews reflect this, with one BeerAdvocate reviewer noting, "From a bottle, pours as a clear yellow with lots of carbonation and a thin white head. Adjunct aromas with corn. Light and fleeting malt flavour with a metallic hop bite at the back end." Its best qualities are its carbonation and ability to be drunk cold on a hot day.

Keystone Light

Keystone Light, another light lager by Coors Brewing Company, receives mostly negative reviews for its lack of flavour. One reviewer describes it as tasting like "beer-flavoured mineral water." However, there are also some who praise its low price and lack of flavour as a positive attribute.

Miller64

Miller64, brewed by Miller Brewing Co., is a light beer with only 64 calories. Reviews describe it as extremely light, to the point of tasting almost like a seltzer. One reviewer says, "this is so light it's barely beer. Very light scent and taste, badly burned corn and maybe an ethereal kiss of hops." However, there are also those who praise its low-calorie count.

Sleeman Clear

Sleeman Clear, a low-carb beer brewed in Canada by Sleeman Breweries Ltd., is often criticised for its lack of flavour. One review sums it up: "There's nothing off here, but there's just well nothing here at all. Tastes like light water, with a slight lagery additive."

These beers, while not impressing palates with their flavour profiles, still have their fans who appreciate their low calorie or carbohydrate counts, affordability, or ability to provide refreshment on a hot day. However, for those seeking a more flavourful beer experience, these options may not be the best choices.

Worst non-alcoholic beers

While non-alcoholic beer is becoming increasingly popular, with the global non-alcoholic drinks market valued at over $11 billion in 2022, not all non-alcoholic beers are created equal. Here are some of the worst non-alcoholic beers on the market:

Sharp's by Miller Brewing Co.

Sharp's is Miller's take on O'Doul's, a well-known non-alcoholic beer. With only 0.4% ABV, Sharp's falls flat in its attempt to mimic the taste of beer. Reviews describe it as watery, with notes of apple juice and canned vegetables, and a thin, watery mouthfeel. It's no surprise that this beer ranks as one of the worst non-alcoholic beers out there.

Budweiser Zero by Anheuser-Busch InBev

As one of the most ubiquitous beer brands, Budweiser has a huge fan base in the United States. However, their non-alcoholic offering, Budweiser Zero, fails to impress. It has a neutral nose with mild cereal grain aromas and a hint of hard water on the palate. The body is light, with moderate carbonation and a watery feel. While not truly bad, it's not a beer that most people would choose to drink again.

O'Doul's by Anheuser-Busch

O'Doul's is considered by many to be the original non-alcoholic beer, and it has been around for quite some time. While it's not the worst non-alcoholic beer on the market, there are now many better options available. Reviews describe O'Doul's as simple and straightforward, with a balanced grain taste and no hop aroma. It's a decent option if you're looking for a classic non-alcoholic beer, but there are more exciting choices out there.

Heineken 0.0 by Heineken

Heineken 0.0 tastes almost identical to Heineken's regular lager, which may be a good thing for some drinkers. However, it lacks the complexity and innovation that some seek in the non-alcoholic beer market. While it has been successful, accounting for around 27% of America's non-alcoholic beer retail sales in 2022, it may not be the best option for those looking for a unique non-alcoholic experience.

All-Free by Suntory

All-Free is a non-alcoholic beer from Suntory that tastes like a regular beer without any alcohol or calories. While this may be impressive from a technical standpoint, it falls short in terms of taste and flavor. It's worth trying for the novelty, but it's not likely to become your go-to non-alcoholic drink.

Nanny State by BrewDog

Nanny State was BrewDog's original non-alcoholic beer, and while it has its fans, it has also generated some controversy. BrewDog has been accused of exporting beer to the United States with unapproved ingredients. Nanny State may be a decent option for those looking for a non-alcoholic beer, but the questionable practices of the company may give some drinkers pause.

In conclusion, while the non-alcoholic beer market is growing and improving, there are still some less-than-impressive options out there. These beers often lack flavor, body, and complexity, falling short of providing a satisfying drinking experience. However, with the increasing demand for non-alcoholic options, we can expect to see more innovative and tasty non-alcoholic beers in the future.

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