How Many Calories Are in a 23 oz Coors Light? The Full Breakdown

January 9, 2026 •

3 min read

According to several restaurant nutritional databases, a 23 oz serving of Coors Light contains approximately 200 calories. This surprisingly high number can impact your daily intake, especially compared to the 102 calories found in a standard 12 oz can. Understanding this difference is key for mindful consumption.

Quick Summary

A 23 oz Coors Light typically contains about 200 calories, roughly double that of a standard 12 oz serving. This is a crucial distinction for those monitoring their calorie intake.

Key Points

200 Calories in 23 oz: A 23 oz serving of Coors Light contains roughly 200 calories, based on restaurant nutritional information.
Standard vs. Large Pour: This is nearly double the 102 calories found in a standard 12 oz can, demonstrating the impact of serving size.
Alcohol Drives Calories: The majority of calories in beer, including Coors Light, come from alcohol, not carbohydrates.
Volume is Key: The larger 23 oz size, and not a higher ABV, is what accounts for the significant calorie increase in this particular serving.
Track Portions: For mindful drinking, it's more effective to focus on portion size by choosing a 12 oz can over a large pour to manage calorie intake.
Comparable to Other Beers: A large Coors Light has a calorie count similar to that of a standard, higher-ABV craft IPA, despite its reputation as a light beer.

The Calorie Breakdown of a 23 oz Coors Light

When you order a large draft beer at a restaurant, the calorie count can be significantly higher than a standard bottle or can. For a 23 oz serving of Coors Light, nutritional information from establishments like Black Angus Steakhouse and TGI Friday's shows a caloric value of 200. This contrasts sharply with the official Coors Light website's information, which states a standard 12 oz serving contains just 102 calories. The discrepancy simply comes down to volume. A 23 oz glass is nearly double the size of a 12 oz can, so the calorie count rises proportionally.

To break down the 23 oz serving, the calories primarily come from two sources: alcohol and carbohydrates. While Coors Light is known for its low carb count—around 5 grams per 12 oz serving—the larger volume still accumulates a notable amount. Additionally, since alcohol contains 7 calories per gram (more than carbohydrates or protein), the total caloric load in a larger pour is significantly influenced by its alcohol content.

Calculating Beer Calories: The Role of Alcohol and Volume

The most significant factor influencing a beer's calorie count is its alcohol content, measured as Alcohol by Volume (ABV). Alcohol is the most calorie-dense macronutrient in beer, far outweighing the contribution from residual carbohydrates. For Coors Light, with its modest 4.2% ABV, the calories per ounce are relatively low. However, when scaled up to a 23 oz serving, this adds up.

A rough estimate for calculating beer calories is ABV% x 2.5 x ounces of beer. For a 23 oz Coors Light:

4.2 (ABV%) x 2.5 x 23 ounces ≈ 241.5 calories

This calculation, while approximate, confirms that the 200-calorie figure is in the correct range for a 23 oz pour. It also illustrates why larger servings, even of a 'light' beer, can quickly add extra calories to your diet. Craft beers with higher ABV will be even more calorie-dense per ounce.

Comparison: 23 oz Coors Light vs. Other Beer Sizes

Understanding how different pour sizes affect your calorie intake is crucial. Below is a comparison table showing the calories for different volumes and types of beer.


Beer Type	Serving Size	ABV	Approx. Calories
Coors Light	12 oz can	4.2%	102
Coors Light	23 oz glass	4.2%	200
Miller Lite	12 oz can	4.2%	96
Bud Light	12 oz can	4.2%	110
Budweiser	12 oz can	5.0%	145
Average IPA	12 oz can	6.5%+	200+

The table clearly illustrates how the calories in a 23 oz Coors Light rival those of a higher-ABV craft beer, despite its 'light' status. Portion size is as important as the type of beer when managing calorie consumption.

How to Manage Beer Calories Effectively

Managing your intake is all about making smart, informed choices. Here are some strategies:

Prioritize a 12 oz serving: This is the easiest way to cut down your beer calories by almost half. Opt for cans or bottles instead of large draft pours when possible.
Alternate with water: Hydrating with water between alcoholic beverages can slow your pace and reduce overall caloric consumption from alcohol.
Be mindful of food pairings: The 'beer belly' is often not just from the beer itself, but from the high-calorie snacks and meals that frequently accompany it.
Consider low-ABV options: If you're looking for an alternative, extra-light beers or low-alcohol beers have even fewer calories per ounce.

Conclusion: Portion Size Matters Most

While Coors Light is celebrated for its low-calorie 12 oz serving, the calorie count doubles when consuming a larger 23 oz glass. With approximately 200 calories per 23 oz pour, it's a reminder that portion size is a critical factor in managing your caloric intake. When making your next drink choice, consider whether the extra size is worth the nearly doubled calories. Choosing a smaller portion of your favorite light beer is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a drink while staying on track with your health goals.

Understanding Where These Calories Come From

Calories in beer are not empty calories in the sense that they have no nutritional value, but rather that the body prioritizes processing alcohol over other nutrients. The body uses alcohol as fuel first, which can delay the burning of fats and carbohydrates. In the case of Coors Light, approximately 60% of the calories come from alcohol, and the remainder from carbohydrates. This means even with a low carbohydrate profile, a higher alcohol volume results in a higher calorie count.

The Bottom Line

The 200-calorie count for a 23 oz Coors Light, primarily sourced from restaurant data, is a useful guideline for larger servings. For those counting calories, remembering that the volume of your drink is just as important as the beer's type is a straightforward way to stay on track.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard 12 oz serving of Coors Light contains 102 calories, according to the brand's official website.

The calories in Coors Light, like most beers, come from both the alcohol and the residual carbohydrates. Since alcohol is more calorie-dense, it is the primary source, especially in low-carb options.

The slight variance can be due to differences in restaurant vs. retail nutrition, or rounding in reported figures. However, the calorie count scales approximately with the volume.

While Coors Light is a lower-calorie beer option, the calorie count still adds up, especially with larger pour sizes. As with any alcoholic beverage, moderation and portion control are key for weight management.

The 200 calories in a 23 oz Coors Light is comparable to the calories found in a standard 12 oz serving of some higher-ABV craft beers, which can also easily exceed 200 calories.

Yes, generally, a higher ABV indicates a higher calorie count because alcohol is a calorie-dense compound. This is why a regular beer often has more calories than a light beer.

To reduce beer calories, you can opt for smaller serving sizes like a 12 oz can, choose beers with lower ABV, and alternate your consumption with water to pace yourself.