What's the Best Beer to Not Gain Weight? Finding Your Low-Calorie Brew

December 24, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2012 study, alcoholic beverages account for a significant portion of calories consumed by adults. So, what's the best beer to not gain weight? The simple answer is to choose a low-calorie, low-carb option, drink in moderation, and stay mindful of your overall consumption.

Quick Summary

This guide breaks down how to choose low-calorie beers and offers practical strategies for enjoying beer while managing your weight. It compares popular light beers based on calories, carbs, and ABV, and provides tips for incorporating moderate alcohol consumption into a healthy lifestyle.

Key Points

Choose Low-Calorie Options: Opt for light beers like Budweiser Select 55 or Michelob Ultra, which have significantly fewer calories and carbs than regular beer.
Understand Calorie Sources: Alcohol (7 cal/g) and carbohydrates (4 cal/g) are the main calorie sources in beer; lower ABV and carb count mean fewer calories.
Practice Mindful Drinking: Alternate beers with water and eat a protein-rich meal beforehand to slow alcohol absorption and control overall intake.
Opt for Lower-ABV or Non-Alcoholic Brews: Beers with less alcohol, including 0.0% options, offer fewer calories and have a lesser impact on fat metabolism.
Stay Active: Combine mindful drinking with regular exercise and a healthy diet for the most effective weight management.
Watch for the "Beer Belly": The classic beer belly is more a result of excessive calories from alcohol and poor eating habits, rather than a specific type of beer.
Don't Fear Dark Beers: Some dark beers, like Guinness Draught, can have a surprisingly moderate calorie count for their rich flavor profile.

Understanding the Calories in Beer

When it comes to beer and weight management, it’s crucial to understand where the calories come from. The primary sources are alcohol and carbohydrates. A gram of alcohol contains about seven calories, while a gram of carbohydrates contains about four. Therefore, beers with a lower alcohol by volume (ABV) and fewer carbs will naturally have a lower calorie count. Heavier, darker, and high-ABV craft beers, while often more flavorful, can contain significantly more calories than their lighter counterparts.

The Impact of Alcohol on Your Metabolism

Beyond the raw calorie count, alcohol can also affect your metabolism. When you drink, your body prioritizes metabolizing the alcohol over burning fat, a process known as fat sparing. This means that the other calories you consume around the same time are more likely to be stored as fat. Additionally, alcohol can stimulate your appetite and lower your inhibitions, potentially leading to poorer food choices and increased snacking on unhealthy, fatty foods.

Top Low-Calorie and Low-Carb Beer Options

Choosing the right beer is the most direct way to minimize its impact on your weight. For those looking for the lowest possible numbers, ultra-light options exist, but many popular light beers strike a better balance between taste and calories. Here are some of the best choices available:

Budweiser Select 55: With only 55 calories and 1.9g of carbs per 12oz serving, this is one of the lowest-calorie alcoholic beers on the market.
Miller 64: Offering just 64 calories and 2.4g of carbs per 12oz, it's another great ultra-light option.
Michelob Ultra: A perennial favorite, it has 95 calories and 2.6g of carbs per 12oz, and is known for its crisp, clean taste.
Corona Premier: At 90 calories and 2.6g of carbs, it provides a refreshing option with a familiar, mild citrusy flavor.
Bud Light Next: This beer stands out with zero carbohydrates and 80 calories per 12oz serving, a great choice for those following a keto or extremely low-carb diet.
Guinness Draught: Surprisingly, this dark stout is relatively low in calories, with around 125 calories per 12oz serving. The misconception of it being high in calories is due to its rich, creamy texture.

Non-Alcoholic and Light Craft Options

For those who prefer to skip alcohol entirely, or enjoy more flavor-forward craft brews, non-alcoholic and light craft beers offer even lower calorie counts. Many non-alcoholic beers contain fewer than 80 calories per bottle, making them an excellent choice for mindful consumption. Brands like Athletic Brewing Co. and Heineken 0.0 offer flavorful alternatives with minimal calories and no alcohol.

Low-Calorie Beer Comparison Table


Beer Brand	Calories (12 oz)	Carbs (g)	ABV (%)	Tasting Notes
Budweiser Select 55	55	1.9	2.4	Very light, toasted malt, subtle hops
Miller 64	64	2.4	2.8	Extra light, clean, crisp finish
Bud Light Next	80	0	4.0	Extremely light, subtle flavor, zero carbs
Michelob Ultra	95	2.6	4.2	Crisp, light malt, refreshing
Corona Premier	90	2.6	4.0	Crisp, mild citrus notes
Guinness Draught	126	10	4.2	Creamy, roasted malt flavors

Practical Tips for Mindful Drinking

Simply choosing a low-calorie beer is only part of the solution for avoiding weight gain. Adopting mindful drinking habits is key.

Hydrate with Water: Alternate each alcoholic drink with a glass of water to slow your pace and stay hydrated. This helps you feel full and reduces overall alcohol consumption.
Eat a Smart Meal First: Having a high-protein, balanced meal before drinking can slow alcohol absorption and prevent you from snacking on high-fat, high-calorie foods later.
Watch Portion Sizes: Be aware of the standard serving size (12oz for beer). Large glasses or pitchers can easily lead to overconsumption.
Drink for Flavor, Not Just Buzz: Savoring a high-quality beer slowly can be more satisfying than chugging several low-quality ones, and helps you appreciate the taste rather than just focusing on the alcohol content.
Plan Your Drinking: Decide how much you will drink before you start. Setting a limit beforehand makes you less likely to overindulge.

The “Beer Belly” and Abdominal Fat

While the concept of a "beer belly" is well-known, it's not exclusively caused by beer. It is more accurately linked to excessive calorie consumption and a sedentary lifestyle. The higher calorie density of alcohol, and its effect on fat storage, means that drinking large amounts of beer (or any high-calorie drink) regularly can contribute to increased abdominal fat, especially in men. However, moderate consumption of low-calorie beers is much less likely to cause this effect, especially when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

The Takeaway: It’s About Balance, Not Elimination

Weight management while enjoying beer doesn't have to mean total abstinence. By being aware of your choices, controlling portion sizes, and practicing moderation, you can enjoy beer without gaining weight. Opt for lower-calorie, lower-carb beers like Michelob Ultra, Corona Premier, or even an alcohol-free alternative. Prioritize a nutritious diet and regular physical activity, and use mindful drinking tactics to help you make smarter choices. This balanced approach allows you to achieve your wellness goals while still enjoying your favorite brew responsibly.

Conclusion

Ultimately, there is no single "best" beer to not gain weight; rather, it's about making smarter choices and practicing moderation. The key lies in understanding that lower calories and carbohydrates are crucial. Opting for light or ultra-light options, or even non-alcoholic varieties, significantly reduces your caloric intake. Coupled with mindful drinking strategies—such as hydrating with water, eating well beforehand, and managing portion sizes—you can effectively manage your weight without giving up beer entirely. The classic Irish stout, Guinness, is a surprisingly decent option for its flavor-to-calorie ratio, dispelling myths that all dark beers are heavy. By embracing balance and making informed decisions, you can have your beer and maintain your waistline too.

MedlinePlus: Weight loss and alcohol

Frequently Asked Questions

Budweiser Select 55 is one of the lowest-calorie alcoholic beers available, with only 55 calories per 12oz serving. Other very low-calorie options include Miller 64 and Bud Light Next.

Yes, you can drink beer and still lose weight by practicing mindful drinking. This includes choosing low-calorie options, drinking in moderation, and balancing your intake with a healthy diet and exercise.

Alcohol is bad for weight loss because it contains 'empty calories' with no nutritional value, and your body prioritizes burning it over fat. This can lead to increased fat storage, and alcohol can also increase appetite and decrease inhibitions, leading to poor food choices.

No, not all dark beers are high in calories. While some may be, a notable exception is Guinness Draught, which has a moderate calorie count of about 125 per 12oz serving, despite its dark and creamy appearance.

Light beers focus on reducing overall calories by reducing both alcohol and carbohydrates. Low-carb beers specifically target carbohydrates but may not always have a low calorie count, depending on the ABV.

Yes, non-alcoholic beers do contain calories, but usually far fewer than their alcoholic counterparts. Calories come from residual carbohydrates and sometimes added sugars. Some brands, like Athletic Brewing Co., offer non-alcoholic options with very low-calorie counts.

To avoid overeating, have a high-protein, satisfying meal before you start drinking. This helps you feel fuller and makes you less likely to snack on unhealthy, high-calorie foods.