Low-Calorie Beers: Enjoy Guilt-Free Sips This Summer

Beer is often associated with being fattening, but this is a misconception as it has a comparable number of calories to other alcoholic drinks. However, for those who are health-conscious, there are plenty of beers with fewer calories. The key factor in reducing calories in beer is lowering the number of carbohydrates from malt and grains, as well as reducing alcohol content. Typically, the lower the alcohol by volume (ABV), the fewer the calories. Here is a list of some beers with the fewest calories.

Lagers

When it comes to lagers and their calorie content, there is a wide range of options available, with some lagers being lower in calories than others. Here is some information about lagers and their calorie content:

Light Lagers

Light lagers are a great option for those looking for a low-calorie beer. These lagers typically have a reduced calorie count compared to regular lagers, without compromising on taste. One example is Bud Light, which offers a lighter choice with a reduced calorie count.

Low-Calorie Specialty Lagers

Explore breweries that specialise in low-calorie lagers, catering to health-conscious drinkers. These lagers often feature unique ingredients or brewing methods that minimise calories without sacrificing flavour.

Calorie Counts in Popular Lagers

Popular lager brands vary in their calorie content. Heineken, for instance, has a higher calorie count compared to some other lagers. In contrast, Miller Lite and Corona Extra offer slightly lower calorie options.

Nutritional Information

To make informed choices, remember to check the nutritional information provided on lager packaging. This will give you an exact breakdown of calories and other nutrients. Also, be mindful of serving sizes, as the calorie content may vary depending on how much you consume.

In summary, lagers offer a range of choices, including light lagers, specialty low-calorie options, and popular brands with varying calorie counts. By checking nutritional information and serving sizes, you can make informed decisions about your lager choices while considering your calorie intake.

Ales

• 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

Stouts

A 12 oz. pint of Guinness Extra Stout contains 153 calories and has an alcohol percentage of 4.27%. If you prefer a slightly stronger stout, you can try Guinness Extra (5.6% ABV), which has 126 calories. Other low-calorie options include Odell Brewing Cutthroat (5% ABV) at 145 calories, Young’s Double Chocolate Stout (5.2% ABV) at 150 calories, and Murphy’s Irish Stout (4% ABV) at 192 calories.

It is worth noting that the sugar extracted from barley and grains is what causes beer to ferment, so the more sugar present, the more alcohol there will be, and therefore the more calories. As a result, lower-calorie stouts tend to have a lower ABV. However, this doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice flavour, as there are many low-calorie stouts that are still full of flavour.

Gluten-free beers

While beer is typically made from barley and wheat, and is therefore unsuitable for those following a gluten-free diet, gluten-free beers are made from grains like millet, sorghum, and rice. These beers are also suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

• 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 taste good include:

• Duck Foot Brewing Company Drink This or the Bees Die: A sweetly scented, dry-finishing beer that uses locally produced honey.
• Holidaily Brewing Company BuckWit Belgian: A full-flavoured, zero-gluten beer using native grains including millet and buckwheat.
• Burning Brothers Brewing Roasted Coffee Strong Ale: A caramel-accented beer with cold-brew coffee.
• Glutenberg Craft Brewery Blanche: A hazy Belgian witbier with quinoa, buckwheat, millet, and amaranth.
• Stone Brewing Delicious IPA: A gluten-reduced IPA with a citrusy aroma.
• Ghostfish Brewing Company Grapefruit IPA: An adventurous, bold and bitter grapefruit IPA.
• Odd13 Brewing Codename: Superfan: A juicy fruit bomb and one of America's best hazy IPAs.
• New Planet Beer Blonde Ale: A refreshing gluten-free blonde made with millet, gluten-free oats, and blue corn.
• New Belgium Brewing Company Glütiny Pale Ale: A gluten-reduced pale ale with toasty, lightly sweet amber aromas.
• Two Brothers Artisan Brewing Prairie Path Golden Ale: A gluten-reduced golden ale with a subtle lemony flavour.
• Ground Breaker Brewing Dark Ale: A gluten-free dark ale with a flavour profile reminiscent of dark chocolate dunked in chicory coffee.
• Omission Beer Ultimate Light Golden Ale: A 99-calorie, gluten-reduced golden ale with a tropical aroma.

Non-alcoholic beers

• Coors Edge (0.5% ABV) - 45 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
• Busch NA (0.0% ABV) - 60 calories
• Heineken 0.0 (0.0% ABV) - 63 calories
• Coors Edge (0.5% ABV) - 41 calories
• Beck's Blue Alcohol-Free Beer (0.03% ABV) - 42 calories
• St. Pauli Girl Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.0% ABV) - 96 calories
• Unltd IPA - 13.2 calories

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