Is Alcohol-Free Guinness Full of Sugar? The Truth About Guinness 0.0

January 11, 2026 •

2 min read

According to official nutritional data, a 440ml can of Guinness 0.0 contains approximately 3.1 grams of sugar, which is significantly less than the amount found in many sodas. The question, 'Is alcohol-free Guinness full of sugar?' arises frequently, as many assume that removing alcohol necessitates high sugar replacement.

Quick Summary

Guinness 0.0 contains a very small amount of sugar, debunking the myth that it is full of sugar. While it has slightly more than its alcoholic counterpart, its calorie count is far lower, and its sugar content is minimal compared to most sugary beverages.

Key Points

Low Sugar Content: A standard can of Guinness 0.0 contains only around 3.1 grams of sugar, which is significantly less than many sodas and juices.
Nutritionally Balanced: Despite having slightly more sugar than regular Guinness, its overall calorie count is much lower, making it a good choice for calorie-conscious consumers.
Advanced Brewing Process: The low sugar content is a result of a cold filtration process that removes the alcohol without the need for high sugar replacement to restore flavor.
Flavour Integrity: The cold filtration method and subsequent flavor blending help retain the iconic, smooth, and balanced taste profile of Guinness.
Context is Key: Comparing Guinness 0.0's sugar to other non-alcoholic beers and soft drinks reveals that it is on the lower end of the spectrum, debunking the 'full of sugar' myth.
Less Harmful than Alcohol: While not entirely sugar-free, swapping alcoholic beer for Guinness 0.0 dramatically reduces alcohol consumption and its associated health risks.

The rise of alcohol-free beverages has led to a greater awareness of their nutritional profiles. For many, a common concern revolves around whether the flavor and body lost from removing alcohol are replaced with high levels of sugar. In the case of Guinness 0.0, the nutritional data offers a clear answer, and it might be surprising for those who have bought into the 'full of sugar' misconception.

The Nutritional Profile of Guinness 0.0

A standard 440ml can of Guinness 0.0 contains around 75 calories, with 16.7g of carbohydrates and approximately 3.1g of sugar. Per 100ml, this is about 17 calories and just 0.7g of sugar. This figure is remarkably low compared to other popular drinks.

Comparing Sugar to the Original

Regular Guinness Draught (4.1% ABV) has about 0.2g of sugar per 100ml. However, the alcoholic version has significantly more calories, around 177 per 440ml can. The slightly higher sugar in the 0.0 version helps balance the flavor after alcohol is removed, resulting in much lower overall calories.

A Broader Look: Guinness 0.0 vs. Other Beverages

Comparing Guinness 0.0 to other drinks highlights its low sugar levels.

Compared to other non-alcoholic beers: Guinness 0.0 (0.7g sugar/100ml) is lower in sugar than some, like Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% (0.8g sugar/100ml) and significantly lower than others, such as Brooklyn Special Effects (2.9g sugar/100ml).
Compared to soft drinks: A can of Coca-Cola has over 10g of sugar per 100ml, much higher than Guinness 0.0. This shows that Guinness 0.0 is not a high-sugar drink in comparison.

The Brewing Process: A Reason for Low Sugar

Guinness 0.0 is made using a specialized cold filtration process rather than stopping fermentation early, which helps keep sugar levels low.

Standard Brew: It starts by brewing regular Guinness with the same ingredients: water, barley, hops, and yeast.
Cold Filtration: Alcohol is removed using cold filtration, preserving the flavor.
Flavor Balancing: Flavors are then blended to maintain the distinctive Guinness taste.

This four-year development process ensures a low-sugar result while keeping the brand's iconic character. You can learn more from the official Guinness website here.

Nutritional Comparison: Guinness 0.0 vs. Regular Draught


Attribute	Guinness 0.0 (per 100ml)	Regular Guinness Draught (per 100ml)
Calories	~17 kcal	~35 kcal
Carbohydrates	~3.8 g	~2.7 g
Sugar	~0.7 g	~0.2 g
Alcohol (ABV)	< 0.05%	~4.1%

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Sugar

Alcohol-free Guinness is not full of sugar. The idea that non-alcoholic drinks are loaded with sweeteners to replace flavor is not true for Guinness 0.0. With low sugar and significantly fewer calories than the original, it's a good choice for those moderating alcohol while still enjoying a stout. Checking labels is always wise, but for Guinness 0.0, the data confirms it's a low-sugar option, even without alcohol.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, alcohol-free Guinness 0.0 has slightly more sugar per 100ml than regular Guinness Draught, containing about 0.7g compared to 0.2g, but is significantly lower in calories overall.

Yes, with only 17 calories per 100ml, Guinness 0.0 is a low-calorie option. A full 440ml can contains just 75 calories.

A small amount of sugar, such as fructose, is sometimes added to non-alcoholic beer to balance and restore the flavor and body lost during the dealcoholization process.

The alcohol is removed using a specialized cold filtration process. This method filters out the alcohol without applying thermal stress, thus preserving the beer's taste and character.

Guinness 0.0 is on the lower end of the sugar spectrum compared to many other non-alcoholic beers. For example, some brands contain significantly higher amounts of sugar per serving.

Guinness 0.0 is a healthier choice primarily because it contains no alcohol and has a much lower calorie count. However, it is not a zero-calorie or zero-sugar drink.

While brewers worked for years to get the taste right, most consumers report that Guinness 0.0 comes incredibly close to the taste and mouthfeel of its alcoholic counterpart, replicating the creamy texture and roasted notes.