Best Low-Calorie Beers To Try In Ireland

With summer approaching, many beer drinkers are looking for options that won't wreak havoc on their diets. Beer often gets a bad reputation for being fattening, but there are plenty of low-calorie options available that don't compromise on taste. In Ireland, some of the beers with the least calories include SkinnyBrands Premium Lager (89 calories), Rockshore Light (97 calories), and Heineken Light (97 calories). For those looking for an ultra-light option, Tennent's Light contains just 66 calories per bottle. For those who don't mind venturing outside of beer, spirits like vodka and tequila tend to have fewer calories, and non-alcoholic options are also typically lower in calories.

Lowest Calorie Beers in Ireland

Low-calorie Guinness alternatives

While Guinness is not the most calorific beer on the market, it's still important to be mindful of your calorie intake and consider low-calorie alternatives. Here are some great options for low-calorie Guinness alternatives:

Kona Light Blonde Ale

With only 99 calories per 12oz serving, Kona Light Blonde Ale is a perfect choice for those looking for a low-calorie beer. It offers a crisp, tropical flavour thanks to its composition of Millennium, Mosaic and Amarillo hops. Founded in Hawaii in 1994, the Kona Brewing Company has become one of the best-selling craft beer brands in the world.

Yuengling Light Lager

Brewed since 2001, Yuengling Light Lager is a combination of Cascade and Cluster hops. It has 99 calories per 12oz serving and is brewed to mimic the brewer's flagship lager brand, Yuengling, which is America's oldest brewery.

Lagunitas DayTime

With just 98 calories per 12oz serving, Lagunitas DayTime is a session IPA and one of the lightest craft brews on the global market. The Lagunitas brand was founded in California in 1993 and is now partially owned by Heineken International.

Miller Lite

Miller Lite, also known as Lite, is one of the first mainstream light beers. With 96 calories per bottle, it was first developed in 1967 and relaunched as "Lite" in 1972. It's a 4.2% ABV pilsner that offers a great balance between flavour and low calories.

Dogfish Head Slighty Mighty IPA

The result of extensive research and development, Dogfish Head Slighty Mighty IPA boasts just 95 calories per 12oz serving. The brewers used monk fruit in production, which is sweeter than sugar per ounce and boosts the body and complexity without adding calories. This IPA is said to exude notes of pineapple, coconut, mango and citrus.

Rockshore Light

While some reviewers say it doesn't taste great, Rockshore Light is a low-calorie beer option. It's said to cause less of a hangover, possibly because it's half water—but all beers are mostly water!

SkinnyBrands Premium Lager

With only 89 calories per 330ml bottle, SkinnyBrands Premium Lager is a great low-calorie option that's also gluten-free and vegan. It was launched in the UK a couple of years ago and has recently landed in Ireland.

Heineken 0.0

If you're looking for an even lower-calorie option, Heineken 0.0 has only 69 calories per bottle. It's a non-alcoholic beer, so it's perfect if you want to avoid the effects of alcohol while still enjoying a drink.

Carling

Carling is a UK lager that's light and refreshing. With approximately 189 calories per pint, it's a good option if you're looking for something with fewer calories than Guinness.

In addition to these beer alternatives, you could also consider hard seltzers, spiked sparkling waters, or low-calorie spirits with mixers. Remember to always drink responsibly and in moderation!

Calorie-saving tips for beer lovers

Beer is often associated with being fattening, but this is not always the case. There are plenty of low-calorie options available that allow you to enjoy a drink without compromising your health goals. Here are some tips to help you save calories while still enjoying a refreshing beer.

Choose Low-Calorie Beers

Opt for beers with fewer calories. Several brands offer lower-calorie options, such as SkinnyBrands Premium Lager, which has only 89 calories per bottle, or Guinness Draught, which has around 125 calories per serving. These beers provide a more calorie-conscious option without sacrificing taste.

Consider Light Beers

Light beers typically have reduced calorie content. For example, Coors Light has 170 calories, while Heineken Light has fewer calories than the original Heineken. These light versions maintain the familiar flavours of their flagship beers while helping you cut down on calories.

Explore Non-Alcoholic Beers

Non-alcoholic beers are often lower in calories. Heineken 0.0, for instance, has only 69 calories per bottle. This can be a great option if you want to enjoy a beer without the alcohol content and associated calories.

Compare Calories Across Brands

When selecting a beer, pay attention to the calorie content of different brands. For instance, a pint of Guinness has 210 calories, while a pint of Heineken has 227 calories. Making informed choices by comparing calorie information can help you find options that align with your dietary preferences.

Opt for Gluten-Free and Vegan Beers

If you have dietary restrictions, look for gluten-free and vegan beers. SkinnyBrands Premium Lager, for instance, is both gluten-free and vegan-friendly. By choosing beers that cater to specific dietary needs, you can ensure you're not consuming hidden calories or ingredients that may impact your health.

Sample Low-Calorie Craft Beers

Craft breweries are also joining the trend by offering low-calorie options. For instance, Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty Lo-Cal IPA from Dogfish Head Brewery has notes of pineapple, coconut, and citrus, while still being mindful of calorie intake. These craft beers provide flavourful options that won't weigh you down.

In conclusion, while beer can sometimes be associated with extra calories, there are plenty of options available that allow you to indulge without derailing your health goals. By choosing lower-calorie beers, exploring light and non-alcoholic options, comparing brands, and considering dietary needs, you can still enjoy a refreshing beer while saving calories. Cheers!

The best low-calorie beers, according to experts

Skip the extra carbs and alcohol, and opt for a great-tasting craft brew instead.

In the summer, there's nothing better than a refreshing, ice-cold beer. However, beers can be a source of "empty calories" that provide few nutrients. The good news is that there are now plenty of low-calorie or light beers available that don't compromise on taste.

To help you find the best low-calorie beer for your palate, experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have sampled and assessed a variety of options, taking into account both taste and ingredients.

Bud Light

One of the lightest lagers on the market and the lowest-calorie alcoholic beer on this list, Bud Light contains only 55 calories and less than 2 carbs per can. Reviewers rate it highly as a "perfect summer beer" that's "low alcohol, but enough to keep it interesting."

Jester King Le Petit Prince

This low-cal beer from Texas has just 75 calories per can. It's a dry, unspiced table beer with "fantastic, fruity flavours" that give it some welcome tartness without a lot of calories. Reviewers praise its "well-balanced" character.

Allagash River Trip Pale Ale

This light-bodied pale ale has crisp notes of citrus and melon, making it the perfect thirst-quencher for a hot day. One reviewer says it's "refreshing and light but still has some hop character," while another dubbed it "perfect for summer porch drinking."

Coors Light

Coors Light is a mainstay in many coolers, and for good reason. With just over 100 calories per can, it's a refreshing option on a hot summer day, whether you're at the beach or an all-day barbecue.

Yuengling Light Lager

Yuengling is often a top pick among beer drinkers, and this light version packs the same flavour profile as their flagship beverage, with its caramel malt flavour and mild hop character. With less than 100 calories per can, it's been crowned by reviewers as "one of the best light beers on the market," praised for being "very tasty, not bitter" and an "excellent drinkable blend of light flavour, with next to no guilt for drinkers that want to watch calories and carbs."

Amstel Light

Amstel Light has been a crowd favourite for over 150 years, and it's easy to see why. With fewer than 100 calories per can, it's a reliable thirst-quencher with its delicious mix of barley malt and hops.

Heineken 0.0

This non-alcoholic beer from Heineken is also light on calories, making it a win-win when you want a beer without the buzz. With refreshingly fruity notes, tasters have found it to be "honestly impressive," tasting "so similar to actual Heineken."

Harpoon American Flyer Light

This refreshing lager from New England–based Harpoon is one of the newest additions to the low-cal beer lineup. Tasters enjoyed its "crisp, summery flavour," saying it would be a good accompaniment to a meal as its very light flavour wouldn't overpower the food. Plus, a portion of the proceeds helps fund scholarships for families of fallen service members and first responders.

Corona Premier

Corona Premier is a lighter spin on the classic Corona, with fewer calories and carbs. "It has a light sweetness and grassiness that improves with a squeeze of lime," one of our testers commented. This lager tastes like your favourite seltzer, but with a hint of hops.

Athletic Brewing Co. Run Wild Non-Alcoholic IPA

This nonalcoholic IPA has been recommended by multiple tasters thanks to its "crisp, not too hoppy" appeal. With the same level of carbonation as a regular beer, it helps mimic the real thing. Brewed with a blend of five Northwest hops, it's a winner for craft beer lovers, with nearly 2,000 five-star reviews. Reviewers note its "real IPA taste" that's "light, complex, [and] snappy."

Michelob Ultra Pure Gold

At just 85 calories per bottle, Michelob Ultra Pure Gold is one of the beers on this list with the fewest calories, but it doesn't compromise on taste. The refreshing flavour is slightly citrusy, and the brew has a super-light mouthfeel. Plus, it's USDA-certified organic and free of artificial colours and flavours, so you can feel good while you sip.

Michelob Ultra Superior Light Beer

Michelob Ultra has been an American favourite for over a century, and its light malty taste and subtle citrus aroma make it a familiar, comforting choice. An extended mashing process ensures a super-smooth texture, and you won't find any artificial colours or flavours in this brew.

Heineken Light

Heineken consistently ranks as one of the most popular beers in the US, and the Light version maintains the flavours that have made it a perennial favourite. Heineken Light is lean, fruity and slightly sweet, with a lighter feel and fewer calories than the original. Our testers loved the subtle malt flavour and light bitterness.

The lowest-calorie beers in 2020

Beer often gets a bad reputation for being fattening, but it is comparable in calories to other alcoholic drinks. However, there are now many beers aimed at those watching their weight, and they are not necessarily non-alcoholic or low ABV.

In general, the lower the ABV, the fewer the calories, but there are plenty of options for those who want to watch their waistline without sacrificing taste.

Guinness Draught

This Irish stout has 125 calories per 12oz serving, which is around 210 per pint. Despite its creamy top and rich flavour, it is not much more calorific than many lighter beers, and in many cases, it has fewer calories. Its dark colour and sweetness come from small amounts of roasted barley, while its creamy texture is due to its use of CO2 and nitrogen in its carbonation.

Kona Light Blonde Ale

This American Pale Ale from Hawaii's Kona Brewing Co. has just 99 calories per 12oz serving. It has a "crisp, tropical flavour" from its composition of Millennium, Mosaic, and Amarillo hops.

Yuengling Light Lager

With a combination of Cascade and Cluster hops, this light lager has been brewed to mimic Yuengling's flagship lager brand. At 99 calories per 12oz serving, it packs a crisp punch with the same flavour profile as their original beer, known for its caramel malt flavour and mild hop character.

Lagunitas DayTime

This American IPA has only 98 calories per 12oz serving. It has fruity flavours and a low ABV, making it a great hot-weather, easy-drinking pick.

Miller Lite

Also known as Lite, this was one of the first mainstream light beers, conceived by Frederick Miller in 1975. With 96 calories per bottle, it is the original 'light' beer brand.

Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty IPA

The result of 12 months of research and development, this IPA has only 95 calories per 12oz serving. Monk fruit is used in production to boost body and complexity without adding calories, resulting in notes of pineapple, coconut, mango, and citrus.

Moosehead Cracked Canoe

This Canadian lager has 90 calories per 341ml bottle. It was created for those who "refuse to compromise their active lifestyle or their love of great beer".

SkinnyBrands Premium Lager

This lager has 89 calories per 330ml bottle, which is significantly lower than most other lagers, which typically have at least 130 calories. It is also gluten-free and vegan-friendly, as it uses a unique filtering process that does not use fish-based liquid.

Michelob Ultra

With just 66 calories per 330ml bottle, this is one of the lowest-calorie beers on the market.

Coors Light

Coors Light has 102 calories per bottle, and it is a mainstay in many coolers as a refreshing option on hot summer days.

Honourable Mentions

Other low-calorie options include Bud Light (103 calories), Heineken Light (97 calories), Corona Light (99 calories), and Amstel Light (95 calories).

So, there you have it! Plenty of options to enjoy a beer without sacrificing your health goals.

New low-calorie beers in Ireland

The alcohol industry is responding to the demand for reduced-calorie, gluten-free, and vegan options. One of the latest launches in Ireland is SkinnyBrands Premium Lager, which contains just 89 calories per 330ml bottle. It's also gluten-free and vegan, and has already been launched in several other countries, including Australia, South Africa, the USA, and Russia.

Other Low-Calorie Beers

• Rockshore Light is a low-calorie beer with 97 calories per 440ml can.
• Heineken 0.0 has only 69 calories per bottle.
• Coors Light has 102 calories per bottle.
• Miller's 64-calorie beer.
• Murphy's Irish Stout has 144 calories per pint.
• Omission's Lager has 140 calories per 12 oz serving.
• Guinness Draught has 125 calories per 12 oz serving, or 210 per pint.

How to Reduce Calories in Beer

To reduce the calories in beer, companies lower the number of carbohydrates that come from malt and grains, and reduce the alcohol content. One gram of alcohol contains about 7 calories.

Frequently asked questions