Best Low-Calorie Beers: Uk Edition

Beer is packed with nutrients, but it's also packed with calories. The average pint of 5% ABV beer contains around 215 to 240 calories, which is about the same as a slice of takeaway pizza. So, if you're on a health kick or watching your waistline, you might want to consider switching to a low-calorie beer. The good news is that there are plenty of options available in the UK.

Light beers are the lowest-calorie option

If you're looking for the beers with the fewest calories, opt for light beers. These typically contain just 99 calories per 12oz can, compared to 130 to 170 calories per 12oz in regular beers.

Regular ales, stouts and lagers tend to be more calorific, with ales and stouts taking longer to drink due to their lower water content.

Some of the lowest-calorie light beers include:

• Beck's Premier Light beer (64 calories per 330ml serving)
• Miller Light (96 calories per 330ml serving)
• Amstel Light (96 calories per 330ml serving)
• Coors Light (102 calories per 330ml serving)

If you're looking for a low-calorie beer but don't want to compromise on flavour, there are plenty of options available. For example, SkinnyBrands Premium Lager is light, flavourful and affordable, making it the perfect drink to accompany a lean barbecue or a healthy vegan meal.

Another option is Gen!us Craft Lager, which appeared on Dragon's Den and uses unique hop and malt varieties to deliver a flavourful punch without the calories.

Tennent's Light Lager is another great choice, with 37.5% fewer calories than other light beers, and it's the lowest-calorie lager available in Scotland.

If you're looking for a low-calorie beer without alcohol, try Beavertown Lazer Crush IPA. This beer is tangy, piney and fresh, with a peachy flavour, and contains just 83 calories per 330ml can.

So, if you're watching your waistline but still want to enjoy a beer, light beers are the way to go!

Guinness is a low-calorie beer

Guinness, the classic Irish stout, is one of the most naturally low-calorie beers available in the UK, with just 126 calories and 4.2% alcohol per 350ml serving. This makes it a great option for those who love a rich, dark beer without the high calorie count.

Guinness is surprisingly low in calories, especially when compared to other stouts and ales, which typically contain 150-160 calories per 12oz. In fact, Guinness has even been described as "full-bodied and very low calorie".

If you're looking for a low-calorie beer option that doesn't compromise on flavour, Guinness is an excellent choice. With its distinctive taste and low-calorie count, it's no wonder that Guinness is a popular beverage for those watching their waistline.

In addition to its low-calorie content, Guinness also offers other health benefits that set it apart from other light beers. As a dark beer, Guinness contains more malt, which provides fibre, protein, vitamin B12, and iron. These nutrients make it a healthier option than lighter beers, which tend to have fewer health benefits.

So, if you're looking for a delicious and low-calorie beer, Guinness is a fantastic choice. With its rich flavour and health benefits, it's a beer that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced lifestyle.

Low-calorie beers are a great way to maintain health goals

Beer is packed with nutrients and calories, but if you're watching your waistline, opting for low-calorie beers can be a great way to enjoy a refreshing pint without compromising on your health goals.

According to the NHS, the average pint of 5% strength beer contains around 215 to 240 calories, which is similar to a slice of pizza. However, some beers contain upwards of 250 calories per bottle, which can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess.

Lighter beers such as lagers and pilsners tend to have fewer calories than darker, richer beers like stouts and ales. "Light" beers are also a good option, as they are lower in alcohol and calories. For example, Beck's Premier Light beer has just 64 calories per 330ml serving, while Coors Light has 102 calories.

Low-calorie beers to try

There are plenty of low-calorie beers available in the UK that don't compromise on flavour. Here are some options to try:

• Tennent's Light Lager Cans: This Scottish lager has 37.5% fewer calories than other light beers, with just 63 calories per serving.
• SkinnyBrands Premium Lager: This lager is light, flavourful, and affordable, making it a perfect complement to a lean barbecue or healthy vegan meal.
• Gen!us Craft Lager: This award-winning lager appeared on Dragon's Den and delivers a flavourful punch without the extra calories.
• Beavertown Neck Oil: This classic IPA can be found in pubs across the UK and offers tangy, tropical hop flavours with a crisp and slightly dry finish.
• Corona Extra: One of the bestselling low-calorie beers in the world, this pale lager is refreshing and light, typically served with a slice of lime. It has 44 calories per 3.5oz (100ml) and 148 calories per bottle (350ml).
• Skinny Brands Beer: This UK-brewed lager has just 87 calories per bottle and 4% ABV, making it a great option for those wanting to cut back without sacrificing taste.
• Coors Light: With only 102 calories per 350ml serving, Coors Light is one of the best low-calorie options available. It has a crisp, light, and smooth flavour with clean malt notes and low bitterness.
• Guinness: Surprisingly, Guinness, the classic Irish stout, is also naturally low in calories, with just 126 calories per 350ml serving.

Tips for drinking beer on a diet

If you're watching your calorie intake, it's important to enjoy beer in moderation and pair it with a low-calorie meal and a healthy lifestyle. Opting for bottles over pints can also make it easier to track your calorie intake, as bottles usually have a standard serving size and display the calorie content on the label.

So, if you're looking to cut down on calories but still enjoy a refreshing pint, low-calorie beers are a great option to consider!

Beers with lower alcohol content are usually low-calorie

It's true that beers with lower alcohol content are usually low-calorie. If you're looking for a beer that won't play havoc with your waistline, opting for a beer with a lower alcohol content is a good strategy.

Alcohol contains fat, which contains calories. So, it makes sense that beers with a higher alcohol content will be more calorific. The simple rule to follow is: the lower the alcohol content, the lower the calorie count.

Non-alcoholic beers are a great option if you're looking to cut down on calories without giving up beer completely. Because they lack one of the most calorific ingredients in beer (alcohol), non-alcoholic beers are always going to be lower in calories. For example, a 330ml bottle of standard Heineken (5%) has 139 calories, while a 330ml bottle of Heineken "0.0" (0%) has just 69 calories.

However, it's important to remember that not all beers are created equal. Some types of beer are inevitably higher in calories than others due to their ingredients and how they're fermented. Lagers and pilsners, for example, tend to be lower in calories than darker, richer beers such as stouts and ales.

If you're looking for specific recommendations, here are some of the lowest-calorie beers available in the UK:

• Beck's Premier Light Beer (64 calories per 330ml serving)
• Miller Light (96 calories per 330ml serving)
• Amstel Light (96 calories per 330ml serving)
• Coors Light (102 calories per 330ml serving)
• Corona Extra (148 calories per 330ml serving)
• Skinny Brands Lager (87 calories per 330ml bottle)
• Beavertown Neck Oil (122 calories per 330ml can)
• Tennent's Light Lager (63 calories per serving)

Dark beers can be healthier than light beers

It's a common misconception that dark beers are heavier than light beers. In fact, dark beers can be just as light in alcohol, calories and density as light beers. Dark beers are made from heavily roasted grains, and the darker the roast, the more chocolatey and coffee-like the flavour. However, this doesn't mean that they contain more alcohol, which is directly correlated with more calories.

For example, a serving of Guinness has 125 calories, while a Bud Light has 110 calories. Stouts, porters and black lagers that hover in the range of four to five per cent alcohol by volume can have less alcohol and calories than a light pilsner.

Research from the University of Wisconsin has found that dark beer may be better for the heart, as it helps to prevent blood clots. Dark beers contain xanthohumol, a powerful antioxidant that can assist your body in stopping the early stages of tumour growth.

However, it's important to note that dark beers don't always have fewer calories than light beers. The calorie content of beer depends on the alcohol content, not its colour. So, if you're looking for a low-calorie beer, choose one with a lower alcohol content.

Some of the lowest-calorie beers available in the UK include Skinny Brands Premium Lager (87 calories per bottle), Tennent's Light Lager (63 calories per serving), and Beavertown Neck Oil (122 calories per can).

Frequently asked questions