Beer Calories: Styles And Their Surprising Energy Counts

Beer is a popular drink worldwide, but it's important to be aware of its calorie content. The calorie count in beer varies depending on the style and alcohol content. Beers with higher alcohol levels tend to have more calories, and the same goes for beers with added sugar. A classic beer with 5% alcohol has approximately 43 kilocalories per 100ml, while a typical 12 oz beer has around 140 calories, similar to a can of Coke. The strongest beers, such as Snake Venom, can contain up to 2050 calories per bottle! On the other hand, non-alcoholic beers tend to have fewer calories. So, if you're watching your weight, it's crucial to pay attention to the alcohol content and choose your beer style wisely.

Alcohol content

The calorie content of beer is influenced by its alcohol content, with beers containing higher levels of alcohol generally having more calories. A classic beer with an average alcohol content of around 5% has approximately 43 kilocalories per 100ml, or around 150 calories per 12 oz. However, the specific type of beer and its ingredients can also impact its calorie content.

Beers with very low alcohol content, such as those with 2% to 3% alcohol, tend to have the fewest calories, with some starting as low as 60 calories per 12 oz. For example, Bud Light Next has 80 calories due to its reduced alcohol and zero-carb content.

On the other hand, beers with higher alcohol content, such as IPAs, double or imperial IPAs, and Belgian-style Trippels, can have significantly more calories. These heavy hitters, with alcohol content ranging from 7% to 11%, can pack 200 to 300 calories per serving. However, it's important to note that a lower-alcohol "session" IPA can bring the calorie count down to around 140. Additionally, newer "lo-cal" IPAs, such as Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty, can have as few as 100 calories.

The serving size also plays a crucial role in the overall calorie intake. When served in larger glasses, such as 16 or 20 oz, even an average beer can reach 200 to 250 calories.

Compared to other alcoholic drinks, beer typically falls on the lower end of the calorie spectrum. For instance, absinthe, sambuca, Baileys, pastis, amaretto, and gin have significantly higher calorie counts. A regular beer may contain 43 kcal per 100 ml, while absinthe contains 348 kcal per 100 ml. However, it's worth noting that the number of drinks consumed matters as well. While a single shot of absinthe may have fewer calories than several bottles of beer, excessive consumption of any alcoholic beverage will contribute to weight gain.

Carbohydrates

Beer is made by fermenting grains such as barley and wheat, which contain carbohydrates. The number of carbohydrates in beer varies according to the fermentation process and the type of grains used. The style of beer with the most carbohydrates is typically a full-strength or full-flavoured beer. These beers are often darker in colour and have a heavier mouthfeel.

Examples of Beers with Higher Carb Counts

Some examples of beers with higher carbohydrate content include:

• Corona Extra: 13-14g of carbs per 12-ounce serving
• Budweiser: 10.6g of carbs per 12-ounce serving
• Guinness Draught: 9.9g of carbs per 11.16-ounce serving
• Heineken: 10.6-11g of carbs per 12-ounce serving
• Blue Moon Belgian White: 14g of carbs per 12-ounce serving

Examples of Beers with Lower Carb Counts

Beers with lower carbohydrate content are often labelled as "light" and have undergone a longer brewing process to reduce calories and carbohydrates. Some examples of beers with lower carbohydrate content include:

• Miller Lite: 3.2g of carbs per 12-ounce serving
• Michelob Ultra: 2.6g of carbs per 12-ounce serving
• Coors Light: 5g of carbs per 12-ounce serving
• Corona Premier: 2.6g of carbs per 12-ounce serving
• Bud Light: 6.6g of carbs per 12-ounce serving

Glass size

The calorie content of beer depends on several factors, including alcohol content, carbohydrate density, and glass size. The higher the alcohol and carbohydrate content, the higher the calorie count.

A typical 12 oz. beer has around 140 calories, which is comparable to a can of Coke. However, this can vary depending on the style and strength of the beer. For example, a 16 or 20 oz. draft pour of an average beer can contain 200-250 calories.

When it comes to glass size, a standard 175ml glass of 12% ABV wine is often compared to a pint of 5% ABV beer. The wine contains around 133 calories, while the beer has approximately 239-240 calories. So, in terms of glass size, a pint of beer typically contains more calories than a standard glass of wine.

It's important to note that these are general estimates, and the actual calorie content can vary depending on the specific beer and wine in question. However, due to the leftover carbohydrates found in beer, it tends to have a higher calorie content than wine, which typically has a lower sugar content.

Beer style

The calorie content of beer depends on several factors, including alcohol content, ingredients, and serving size. Typically, beers with higher alcohol content have more calories. For example, a classic beer with 5% alcohol content has approximately 150 calories in a 12 oz serving.

Light Beers

Light beers with very low alcohol content (2% to 3%) such as Miller 64, start at around 60 calories for a 12 oz serving. Most light beers (4% alcohol) have about 100 calories, while Bud Light Next has only 80 calories due to its reduced alcohol and zero-carb content.

Regular Beers

Regular beers with 5% alcohol content, like Budweiser, have around 150 calories in a 12 oz serving.

IPAs

IPAs and other heavy hitters (7% to 11% alcohol) such as regular IPAs, double or imperial IPAs, and Belgian-style Trippels, contain 200 to 300 calories in a 12 oz serving. However, a lower-alcohol "session" IPA reduces the calorie count to around 140. Newer "lo-cal" IPAs like Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty contain as few as 100 calories.

Craft, Seasonal, and High-Alcohol Beers

Craft beers, seasonal beers, and beers with high alcohol content generally have more calories than lighter beers.

Non-Alcoholic Beers

Non-alcoholic beers typically have fewer calories, although this is not always the case, as some may be very sugary.

Non-alcoholic beers

While non-alcoholic beers are lower in calories than their alcoholic equivalents, they are not completely calorie-free. A cup of standard malt non-alcoholic beer contains 99 calories, according to the USDA. However, many newer brands contain fewer calories and carbs than standard alcoholic beers, making them a good option for those watching their calorie intake.

The calories in non-alcoholic beer come from carbohydrates, sugar, and protein. The average sugar content is 1.94 grams per 100ml, and the average calorie count is 22.6 calories per 100ml. This is significantly lower than alcoholic beers, which can have 47.8 to 98.59 calories per 100ml.

Some popular non-alcoholic beer options and their calorie counts are:

• Heineken 0.0 - 63 calories per 10 ounces
• Busch NA - 60 calories per 12 ounces
• Coors Edge - 41 calories per bottle
• Paulaner Hefeweissbier Alkoholfrei - 72 calories per 10 ounces
• St. Pauli Girl Non-Alcoholic Beer - 96 calories per 12 ounces
• Beck's Blue Alcohol-Free Beer - 42 calories per 10 ounces

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