How many calories are in a 12oz space dust?

December 10, 2025 •

3 min read

According to official product information from retailers, a standard 12 fl oz serving of Elysian Space Dust IPA contains approximately 229 calories. This calorie count is a key characteristic of its robust Imperial IPA style.

Quick Summary

A 12oz Elysian Space Dust IPA contains roughly 229 calories, mainly due to its high alcohol by volume and rich malt profile. Calorie totals vary with serving size, which is important to remember for consumption.

Key Points

Calorie Count: A 12oz serving of Elysian Space Dust IPA contains approximately 229 calories.
High ABV is a Factor: The beer's significant 8.2% ABV is the primary contributor to its elevated calorie count.
Malt Profile Adds Calories: The rich blend of malts also contributes to the caloric content and full body of the beer.
Imperial IPA Style: As an Imperial IPA, it is naturally a more calorie-dense beverage than standard beer styles.
Calories Vary by Size: Different serving sizes, like 16oz or 22oz, contain proportionally more calories, up to 420 for a 22oz pour.
Flavor Over Low-Cal: This beer prioritizes a bold flavor profile over being a low-calorie option, which is standard for its style.

A 12-ounce bottle of Elysian Space Dust IPA is not a low-calorie beverage, with its 229-calorie content putting it on the higher side for a craft beer. As a Double or Imperial IPA, this is to be expected, as the higher alcohol by volume (ABV) and robust malt base naturally increase its caloric load. Understanding what contributes to these calories helps drinkers make informed decisions, especially those tracking their intake. The Elysian Space Dust is a popular, hop-forward beer known for its distinct flavor profile, which is achieved through its specific ingredient blend, and that flavor comes with a significant energy cost.

The Calorie Breakdown of Elysian Space Dust

The calories in beer come from two main sources: alcohol and carbohydrates, which are derived from fermentable sugars. For an Imperial IPA like Space Dust, both of these components are elevated. Alcohol itself contains roughly 7 calories per gram, and with an 8.2% ABV, Elysian Space Dust has a higher alcohol content than most standard beers, which boosts its caloric value.

The Role of Malt and Carbohydrates

The brewing process for Elysian Space Dust includes a carefully selected malt blend, including Great Western premium two-row, C-15, and Dextri-Pils. These malts provide the sugars that feed the yeast during fermentation. While most of the sugar is converted to alcohol, a certain amount of residual sugar remains, contributing to the beer's body, sweetness, and overall calorie count. The combination of high alcohol content and residual carbohydrates is what results in the 229 calories for a single 12oz bottle.

Space Dust IPA: Calorie and Size Comparison

The calorie content of Elysian Space Dust scales with the serving size. While the 12oz bottle is a common format, the beer is also available in larger cans and bottles. This table provides a helpful comparison of how the calories change across different quantities based on information from various nutrition tracking websites.


Serving Size	Approx. Calories	Note
12 fl oz	229	Standard bottle/can serving
16 fl oz	310	Often seen in pint cans
22 fl oz	420	Large format bottle
24 fl oz	470	Found at some restaurants (e.g., Taco Bell)

Understanding the Imperial IPA Style

The higher-than-average calorie count is a direct consequence of the Imperial IPA style. Imperial, or Double, IPAs are brewed to be bolder and more intense in flavor and aroma than their standard counterparts. This is achieved by using more hops and a more substantial grain bill. The ingredients that create this flavor profile are also the source of the extra calories.

Here are some of the key characteristics of Elysian Space Dust that contribute to its profile:

Key Ingredients

Malts: Great Western premium two-row, C-15, Dextri-Pils
Hops: Chinook (for bitterness), Citra and Amarillo (for late and dry additions)

Flavor Profile

Candied grapefruit
Mango
Pine
Assertive bitterness from Chinook hops
A medium body with a clean, dry finish

How to Factor Space Dust Into Your Diet

For those watching their calorie intake, it is important to treat an Elysian Space Dust IPA as a substantial item in your diet, similar to a small meal or a large dessert. Because of its richness and high ABV, consuming it in moderation is often recommended. When comparing it to a typical light lager, which might contain around 100-110 calories per 12oz serving, the difference is significant. A single Space Dust has more than twice the calories of a light beer. It is a beer designed for a flavorful experience, not for calorie efficiency.

For more details on the beer's official profile, you can visit the Elysian Brewing Space Dust IPA page.

Conclusion: High Flavor, Higher Calories

In summary, a 12oz serving of Elysian Space Dust IPA has approximately 229 calories, a figure driven by its 8.2% alcohol content and its rich malt base. This places it in a higher-calorie category than standard lagers. While its robust, hoppy flavor profile is a major draw for craft beer enthusiasts, its caloric density should be considered for those managing their daily intake. Enjoying this complex and flavorful beer is best done with an understanding of its nutritional impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, with 229 calories in a 12oz serving, Elysian Space Dust IPA is considered a high-calorie beer, especially when compared to light beers which often have half the calories.

Elysian Space Dust IPA has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 8.2%. The high alcohol content is a primary reason for its elevated calorie count.

While precise nutritional information can vary, sources indicate around 16 grams of carbohydrates in a 12oz serving. For example, a 16oz serving shows 15g carbs, while a 12oz estimate shows 16g.

Alcohol itself is a calorie source, providing approximately 7 calories per gram. Therefore, a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) directly correlates with a higher calorie count in the finished beer.

As an Imperial or Double IPA, Space Dust’s calorie count is on the higher end of the IPA spectrum. Standard IPAs with a lower ABV typically contain fewer calories per serving.

Indirectly, yes. The bold, complex flavor profile is achieved using a rich malt base and generous hops. These ingredients supply the fermentable sugars and compounds that contribute to the final alcohol and residual sugar content, thus increasing calories.

Yes, if you are seeking a lower-calorie beer, you should look for standard IPAs, session IPAs, or light lagers, which all typically have a lower ABV and fewer calories per serving than an Imperial IPA.