Arabella Franco
Beer is a popular drink in the United States, with over 5,000 breweries across the country. However, with the nation facing an obesity epidemic, it is important to monitor caloric intake and be aware of the calorie content of alcoholic drinks. The average 12-ounce beer contains around 140-150 calories, but the calorie count can vary depending on the type of beer and its alcohol content. Beers with higher alcohol by volume (ABV) tend to have more calories, and the calorie count can range from as low as 55 calories per bottle to over 300 calories. So, which 12 oz beer has the least amount of calories? Let's find out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Beer with the least calories | Budweiser Select 55 |
| Calories | 55 |
| Alcohol by volume | 2.4% |
| Brewer | Anheuser-Busch |
| Beer Advocate score | 1.60 |
What You'll Learn
A typical 12 oz beer has 140-150 calories
The number of calories in a beer depends mostly on its alcohol content and, to a lesser extent, on its carbohydrate content. About 60% of calories in beer come from alcohol, and 40% from carbohydrates. A beer with a higher alcohol content will generally have more calories than a beer with lower alcohol content.
The calorie content of beer can vary widely, even within a certain category. For example, a lager typically has fewer calories than an ale, and an ale typically has fewer calories than a stout, but there are exceptions.
Light beers usually have fewer calories than other options, although this is not always the case. They tend to have fewer carbohydrates and more water, resulting in fewer overall calories. Low-calorie beers generally have a low ABV, typically 4.5% or less.
Some very-low-alcohol beers (2% to 3% ABV) start at around 60 calories in 12 oz. Most light beers (4% ABV) have about 100 calories. For example, Bud Light has 110 calories, and Miller Lite has 96 calories.
Regular beers, with an average alcohol content of 5%, typically have around 150 calories. Budweiser, for example, has 145 calories, and Coors Light has 102 calories.
IPAs and other heavy hitters (7% to 11% ABV) can have 200 to 300 calories. However, a lower-alcohol "session" IPA typically has around 140 calories, and some newer "lo-cal" IPAs have as few as 100 calories.
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Light beers have fewer calories
It's true that light beers have fewer calories. A typical 12 oz beer has around 140 calories, which is comparable to a can of Coke. However, the calorie count can vary significantly depending on the type of beer, with some containing twice as many calories.
The number of calories in a beer primarily depends on its alcohol content and, to a lesser extent, its carbohydrate content. Very low-alcohol beers, such as Miller 64, start at around 60 calories for a 12 oz serving. Most light beers, which typically have an alcohol content of 4%, contain about 100 calories. For example, Bud Light contains 103 calories, Coors Light contains 102 calories, and Miller Lite contains 96 calories per 12 oz serving.
Some beers have even fewer calories. Budweiser Select 55, for instance, contains only 55 calories and 1.9 grams of carbohydrates per 12 oz serving. Similarly, Corona Premier has just 90 calories and 2.6 grams of carbs. These beers are achieved by reducing the number of carbohydrates from malt and grains, as well as lowering the alcohol content.
It's worth noting that the term "light beer" can have different meanings among brands. Sometimes it refers to a lower alcohol content, while other times it means fewer calories or both. Additionally, people may consume more light beer than regular beer, assuming it will make them less intoxicated, which can lead to consuming more calories overall.
When it comes to health benefits, studies suggest that moderate consumption of regular beer may offer more advantages than light beers. Lagers and dark ales, for instance, provide more antioxidants than their light or non-alcoholic counterparts. However, light beers can still be a good option for those watching their calorie intake or following a keto diet.
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Beers with higher alcohol content have more calories
When it comes to beer, the general rule is that the higher the alcohol content, the more calories it will contain. This is because alcohol contains around 7 calories per gram, which is almost as much as fat, which has 9 calories per gram. So, when you see a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) metric listed on the side of a beer can or bottle, you can assume that it will be more calorific relative to others.
For example, a typical 12 oz beer, such as Budweiser, has around 140-150 calories, which is similar to a can of Coke. Very-low-alcohol beers, on the other hand, like Miller 64 (2-3% alcohol), start at around 60 calories for a 12 oz serving. Most light beers (4% alcohol) contain about 100 calories, and some newer "lo-cal" IPAs, like Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty, go as low as 100 calories.
If you're looking for a beer with higher alcohol content but fewer calories, consider a "session" IPA. These beers have a lower alcohol content, typically around 4-5%, which reduces the calorie count to around 140.
It's worth noting that the calorie content of beer can vary widely, even within the same category. For instance, while Budweiser and Bud Light are both popular beers, Budweiser has 145 calories compared to Bud Light's 110 calories per 12-ounce serving. So, when trying to choose a beer with fewer calories, it's always a good idea to check the nutrition label, if available.
In addition to alcohol content, other factors such as carbohydrates and sugar can also influence the calorie count of a beer. However, alcohol content is typically the main driver of calories in beer.
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IPAs can have over 300 calories in 12 oz
A typical 12 oz beer has around 140 calories, which is similar to a can of Coke. However, IPAs (India Pale Ales) are typically higher in alcohol content and, therefore, higher in calories. While a "session" IPA will have around 140 calories, a regular IPA will have 200-300 calories per 12 oz serving. That's a lot of calories for one drink!
The number of calories in a beer depends mostly on its alcohol content and, to a lesser extent, its carbohydrate content. Very low alcohol beers, such as Miller 64, have around 60 calories in 12 oz, while most light beers (4% alcohol) have about 100 calories. Budweiser, a regular 5% alcohol beer, has around 150 calories.
IPAs are considered "heavy hitters" when it comes to calorie content. With alcohol percentages ranging from 7% to 11%, they pack a caloric punch. The higher alcohol content in IPAs means that they tend to have a higher number of calories compared to other styles of beer.
However, it's important to note that not all IPAs are created equal when it comes to calories. Some newer "lo-cal" IPAs, such as Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty, have as few as 100 calories per 12 oz serving. These low-calorie IPAs are typically brewed to have a lower alcohol content, around 4%, and a dryer body with less sweetness than a typical IPA.
So, if you're watching your calorie intake but still want to enjoy an IPA, look for these lower-calorie options. They offer a refreshing, hoppy alternative to regular IPAs without sacrificing flavour.
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Low-calorie beers have a low ABV
A typical 12 oz beer has around 140 calories, which is similar to a can of Coke. However, some beers have twice that amount. The calorie content of a beer depends mostly on its alcohol content and, to a lesser extent, its carbohydrate content.
Low-calorie beers tend to have a lower ABV (alcohol by volume). For example, very low-alcohol beers like Miller 64, which has 2-3% ABV, start at around 60 calories for a 12 oz serving. Most light beers, with around 4% ABV, have about 100 calories. Bud Light Next, for instance, has 80 calories and zero carbs.
Regular beers, with an average ABV of 5%, typically have around 150 calories. Budweiser, with a 5% ABV, has 145 calories.
IPAs and other heavy hitters, with 7-11% ABV, can have 200 to 300 calories. However, a lower-alcohol "session" IPA can have around 140 calories, and newer "lo-cal" IPAs like Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty have as few as 95 calories.
When it comes to low-calorie beers, it's important to note that they may still have a high alcohol content. Therefore, it's recommended to stick to 1-2 drinks per day.
- Budweiser Select (2.4% ABV) - 55 calories
- Molson Ultra (3% ABV) - 70 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
- Miller Light (4.2% ABV) - 96 calories
- Heineken Light (4.2% ABV) - 97 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
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Frequently asked questions
Budweiser Select 55 has the least amount of calories, with 55 calories per bottle.
Beers with fewer calories tend to have a low ABV, typically 4.5% or less. Some other low-calorie options include Miller 64 (64 calories), Beck's Premier Light (64 calories), Michelob ULTRA Amber (89 calories), and Bud Light (110 calories).
The average 12 oz beer contains around 140-150 calories.
You can use the formula: ABV% x 2.5 x ounces of beer. For example, a 12 oz beer with 4% ABV would have about 150 calories.
The number of calories in beer depends mainly on the alcohol content and, to a lesser extent, on the carb content. Beers with higher alcohol content tend to have more calories, and light beers usually have fewer calories.
