Beer is often associated with being fattening, but it is comparable in calories to other alcoholic drinks. With consumers becoming more health-conscious, manufacturers are now creating more low-calorie beers. So, which beers contain the least calories?

Characteristics and Values of Beers with the Least Calories

Low-calorie lagers

Lagers are the most popular type of beer. They are commonly described as crisp beers with a light, clean taste. However, 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

• Le Petit Prince (2.9% ABV): 75 calories
• Dogfish Head Slighty Mighty (4% ABV): 95 calories
• Lagunitas DayTime (4% ABV): 98 calories
• Boulevard Brewing Easy Sport (4.1% ABV) 99 calories
• Lakefront Eazy Teazy (3.4% ABV): 99 calories
• Kona Kanaha Blonde Ale (4.2% ABV): 99 calories
• Southern Tier Swipe Light (4% ABV): 110 calories
• Mural Agua Fresca Cerveza (4% ABV): 110 calories
• Harpoon Rec League (3.8% ABV): 120 calories
• Boston Beer 26.2 Brew (4% ABV): 120 calories
• Firestone Walker Easy Jack (4% ABV): 120 calories
• River Trip Pale Ale (4.8% ABV): 128 calories
• Oarsman Ale (4% ABV): 137 calories
• Southern Tier 8 Days a Week Blonde Ale (4.8% ABV): 144 calories
• Fat Tire Amber Ale (5.2% ABV): 160 calories

Low-calorie ales

Ales are typically brewed in colder, northern countries such as Canada, Germany, and Belgium, and are known for their fruity and bitter taste. While it can be tricky to find low-calorie beers, the beer scene has diversified in recent years, and there are now many delicious brews that don't pack too many calories.

Le Petit Prince

With only 75 calories and an ABV of 2.9%, Le Petit Prince is a great option for those looking for a low-calorie ale.

Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty

This ale has just 95 calories and a 4% ABV. Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty is said to have a world-class IPA character with notes of pineapple, coconut, mango, and citrus.

Lagunitas DayTime

With only 98 calories and an ABV of 4%, Lagunitas DayTime is one of the lightest craft brews on the global market. It's a permanent brew in the Lagunitas portfolio and is owned by Heineken International.

Boulevard Brewing Easy Sport

Boulevard Brewing Easy Sport is another excellent choice, with 99 calories and 4.1% ABV.

Lakefront Eazy Teazy

Lakefront Eazy Teazy is a low-calorie ale with 99 calories and an ABV of 3.4%.

Kona Kanaha Blonde Ale

Kona Kanaha Blonde Ale, with its crisp, tropical flavour, has just 99 calories and an ABV of 4.2%.

Southern Tier Swipe Light

Southern Tier Swipe Light is a low-calorie ale with 110 calories and 4% ABV.

Mural Agua Fresca Cerveza

This ale has 110 calories and an ABV of 4%.

Harpoon Rec League

With 120 calories and an ABV of 3.8%, Harpoon Rec League is a great option for those looking for a low-calorie ale.

Boston Beer 26.2 Brew

Boston Beer 26.2 Brew is another excellent choice, with 120 calories and an ABV of 4%.

Firestone Walker Easy Jack

Firestone Walker Easy Jack is a low-calorie ale with 120 calories and an ABV of 4%.

River Trip Pale Ale

River Trip Pale Ale has a slightly higher calorie count at 128 calories, but its ABV is also higher at 4.8%.

Oarsman Ale

Oarsman Ale is a low-calorie ale with 137 calories and an ABV of 4%.

Southern Tier 8 Days a Week Blonde Ale

Southern Tier 8 Days a Week Blonde Ale has 144 calories and an ABV of 4.8%.

Fat Tire Amber Ale

With 160 calories and an ABV of 5.2%, Fat Tire Amber Ale is a great option for those looking for a low-calorie ale with a slightly higher alcohol content.

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.

• Guinness Extra (5.6% ABV): 126 calories
• Odell Brewing Cutthroat (5% ABV): 145 calories
• Young's Double Chocolate Stout (5.2% ABV): 150 calories
• Taddy Porter (5% ABV): 186 calories
• Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout (5% ABV): 190 calories
• Murphy's Irish Stout (4% ABV): 192 calories

Other low-calorie beers

• Corona Extra: 44 calories per 3.5oz (100ml), 148 calories per bottle (350ml)
• Skinny Brands Beer: 87 calories per bottle (lager), 89 calories per can (IPA)
• Coors Light: 102 calories
• Bud Light: 110 calories
• Big Drop Brewing Co.'s Citrus IPA: 10 calories
• Lucky Saint: 53 calories

Gluten-free beers

• Glutenberg Blonde (4.5% ABV): 160 calories
• Green’s IPA (6% ABV): 160 calories
• Holidaily Favorite Blonde (5% ABV): 161 calories
• Coors Peak (4.7% ABV): 170 calories

Other gluten-free beers that weren't listed among the lowest-calorie options include:

• Duck Foot Brewing Company Drink This or the Bees Die
• Holidaily Brewing Company BuckWit Belgian
• Burning Brothers Brewing Roasted Coffee Strong Ale
• Glutenberg Craft Brewery Blanche
• Stone Brewing Delicious IPA
• Ghostfish Brewing Company Grapefruit IPA
• Odd13 Brewing Codename: Superfan
• New Planet Beer Blonde Ale
• New Belgium Brewing Company Glütiny Pale Ale
• Two Brothers Artisan Brewing Prairie Path Golden Ale
• Ground Breaker Brewing Dark Ale
• Omission Beer Ultimate Light Golden Ale

Non-alcoholic beers

• Coors Edge (0.5% ABV): 45 calories
• Becks Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.0% ABV): 60 calories
• Heineken 0.0 (0.05% ABV): 69 calories
• Bush NA: 60 calories
• Coors Non-Alcoholic: 58 calories
• Coors Edge: 41 calories
• Athletic Brewing Company: Run Wild IPA (0.5% ABV): 70 calories
• Surreal Brewing Company: 17 Mile Porter (0.5% ABV): 50 calories
• BrewDog: Nanny State (0.5% ABV): 26 calories
• Buckler: Non-Alcoholic Pale Lager: 80 calories
• Bitburger: Drive Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.0% ABV): 92 calories

It is important to note that non-alcoholic beers may still contain some alcohol, up to 0.5% ABV in the United States, as defined by the FDA. Therefore, they are not suitable for those who are pregnant or recovering from alcoholism. Additionally, non-alcoholic beers often contain more sugar than regular beers, so they may not be the best option for those looking to reduce their calorie intake.

Frequently asked questions