Are Zero Alcohol Beers Low in Calories?

November 22, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, most non-alcoholic beers contain significantly fewer calories than their alcoholic counterparts due to the absence of alcohol. While it's true that alcohol itself contributes a high number of calories, the brewing process for zero alcohol beers often involves compensating for lost flavor, which can introduce additional carbohydrates and sugars. This means that while generally lower in calories, zero alcohol beers are not universally calorie-free, and their nutritional content can vary widely by brand and brewing method.

Quick Summary

This article explores the caloric content of zero alcohol beers, detailing why they typically have fewer calories than standard brews. It examines the brewing processes that affect calorie and sugar levels, comparing nutritional data across different non-alcoholic brands and providing guidance on how to choose the lowest calorie options. The content also addresses potential health considerations related to carbohydrates and added sugars.

Key Points

Lower Calories: The primary reason zero alcohol beers are lower in calories is the absence of alcohol, which is high in calories.
Varying Calorie Counts: Calorie counts can range widely, with some brands having as few as 17 calories while others contain over 90 calories per serving.
Impact of Brewing Method: How the beer is made, whether through limited fermentation or dealcoholization, directly influences the final calorie and sugar content.
Higher Carbs Possible: To improve flavor, some zero alcohol beers have added sugars, resulting in a higher carbohydrate content than their regular beer counterparts.
Nutritional Label is Key: Always check the nutritional information, especially if you are monitoring your calorie or carbohydrate intake, as values differ significantly by brand.
A Healthy Option: As part of a balanced diet, zero alcohol beers offer a healthier alternative for social drinking compared to traditional beer, but they are not calorie-free health beverages.

The Core Difference: Alcohol vs. Carbohydrates

To understand why zero alcohol beers are generally lower in calories, it is essential to look at the primary source of calories in traditional beer: alcohol. A single gram of alcohol contains roughly 7 calories, which is nearly as calorically dense as a gram of fat (9 calories) and significantly more than a gram of carbohydrates or protein (both 4 calories). When alcohol is removed from beer, a major source of its caloric content is also removed, leading to a substantial reduction in the total calorie count.

However, this is not the full picture. The taste and mouthfeel of beer can be affected by the removal of alcohol, so many brewers add extra sugars or carbohydrates to compensate for the change in flavor profile. These added sugars can increase the overall calorie count and carbohydrate load, making some zero-alcohol beers less 'low calorie' than one might initially assume. Therefore, the final nutritional profile is a delicate balance of how much alcohol was removed versus how many sugars were added back in during the brewing or dealcoholization process.

How Different Brewing Methods Affect Calorie Count

The method used to produce a zero-alcohol beer has a direct impact on its nutritional composition. Brewers use a few key techniques to create non-alcoholic versions:

Limited Fermentation: In this method, the brewing process is halted before significant alcohol production occurs, or specialized yeast strains that produce very little alcohol are used. This can result in a beer with low alcohol but potentially high residual sugar and carbohydrate content, as the sugars from the malt are not fully converted.
Dealcoholization (Boiling): One of the oldest methods, this involves brewing a full-strength beer and then boiling it to evaporate the alcohol. While effective at removing alcohol, the high heat can also strip away some of the beer's volatile flavor compounds. To make up for this flavor loss, brewers may add extra sugars, which increases calories.
Vacuum Distillation: A more modern and gentler method, vacuum distillation boils the beer at a lower temperature to remove alcohol. The lower temperature helps preserve more of the natural flavor, reducing the need to add excessive sugars later.
Reverse Osmosis: This advanced technique forces the beer through a fine filter that separates large flavor molecules from smaller water and alcohol molecules. The alcohol is then removed, and the flavor concentrate is mixed back with fresh, filtered water. This method can also produce a very low-calorie product with good flavor retention.

Nutritional Comparison: Zero-Alcohol vs. Regular Beer

While zero alcohol beers almost always have fewer calories than their full-strength counterparts, the specific caloric value is highly dependent on the brand and style. Here is a general comparison:

Regular Beer (12 oz / 355 ml): Typically contains 140–170 calories, with many light beers falling around 100 calories. The calories primarily come from alcohol and residual carbohydrates.
Zero-Alcohol Beer (12 oz / 355 ml): Can range widely, from as low as 17 calories to over 100 calories. Brands like Surreal Brewing Company and Athletic Brewing offer very low-calorie options, while others, particularly those with added sugars for flavor, can have significantly more.

For a specific comparison, consider these popular examples (per 12 oz serving):

Heineken 0.0: 69 calories
Budweiser Zero: 50 calories
Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA: 70 calories
Clausthaler Original: 86 calories

Are the Extra Carbs a Problem?

For individuals monitoring their carbohydrate intake, such as those on a ketogenic diet, the higher carb content in some zero-alcohol beers can be a concern. Brands that use limited fermentation or add extra sugars to enhance flavor can have a higher carbohydrate count than even some regular light beers. It's crucial to check the nutrition label for both calories and carbohydrates to ensure it aligns with your dietary goals.

Comparison of Calorie Content in Popular Beers


Brand	Style	Calories (per 12 oz / 355 ml)	Carbohydrates (per 12 oz / 355 ml)
Regular Beer
Budweiser	Lager (5% ABV)	146	10.6g
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale	Pale Ale (5.6% ABV)	175	14.3g
Zero Alcohol Beer
Budweiser Zero	Non-Alcoholic	50	11.5g
Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA	Non-Alcoholic IPA	70	16g
Heineken 0.0	Non-Alcoholic Lager	69	16g
Surreal Natural Bridges	Non-Alcoholic Kölsch	17	2.8g

Conclusion

In conclusion, zero alcohol beers are almost always lower in calories than their traditional, alcoholic equivalents. However, the exact calorie count varies significantly depending on the specific brewing method and the brand's recipe. While the absence of alcohol is the primary reason for the lower calories, some non-alcoholic beers compensate for lost flavor by adding sugar, which increases their carbohydrate and calorie content. For health-conscious consumers, reading nutritional labels is essential to choose the option that best fits their dietary needs. Overall, zero alcohol beers offer a compelling, lower-calorie alternative for those seeking to moderate their alcohol intake.

Frequently Asked Questions

When the alcohol is removed from beer, some of the flavor is lost. Brewers may add extra sugar to compensate for this flavor loss, which can increase the carbohydrate and sugar content compared to regular beer, where the sugar is mostly converted to alcohol during fermentation.

You can, but you must check the nutritional label carefully. Some zero alcohol beers, particularly those that use limited fermentation or add sugar, can have a high carbohydrate count, while other brands offer very low-carb options.

No, not all of them. While many fall into a 20-90 calorie range per 12 oz serving, some brands, especially heavier styles or those with added sugars, can exceed 100 calories.

The primary factor is the amount of alcohol removed during the dealcoholization process. Alcohol contains a high number of calories, so its removal is the biggest contributor to a lower calorie count.

Yes, zero alcohol beer is generally better for weight loss because it contains fewer calories than regular beer. However, it is not calorie-free, so moderation is still key for managing weight effectively.

No. The taste profile of zero alcohol beers varies widely depending on the brewing method and brand. Some methods preserve more flavor than others, and brewers may add flavor enhancers to achieve a desirable taste.

To find the lowest calorie option, you should always check the nutritional label and compare brands. Some brands, like Surreal Brewing and Partake Brewing, are known for their very low-calorie and low-carb options.