Is lager high in carbohydrates? Here's the complete breakdown

December 5, 2025 •

5 min read

A 12-ounce serving of regular lager typically contains between 10 and 15 grams of carbohydrates. While this might not seem exceptionally high, it can add up quickly, raising the question: Is lager high in carbohydrates, particularly when compared to other types of beer or alcoholic beverages?

Quick Summary

Examine the carbohydrate content in different types of lager and how the brewing process and alcohol by volume (ABV) impact the final carb count. Compare regular lager to its light, low-carb, and non-alcoholic counterparts to make informed dietary choices.

Key Points

Regular lager carbs: A standard 12-ounce regular lager typically contains 10-15 grams of carbohydrates due to unfermented residual sugars.
Light lagers are lower: Light lagers are brewed to have a lower ABV and fewer calories, resulting in a carb count typically between 3 and 10 grams per serving.
Ultra-low-carb options: Specialized low-carb lagers exist with as little as 2-3 grams of carbs per 12-ounce serving, achieved through specific brewing techniques.
Non-alcoholic surprise: Contrary to expectation, some non-alcoholic lagers can contain more carbs than regular beer due to residual sugars from incomplete fermentation.
ABV and carbs: There is a general correlation between higher alcohol by volume (ABV) and higher carbohydrates, although some ultra-low-carb options defy this rule through specialized fermentation.
Other beer styles are higher: Darker, maltier beers like stouts and porters, as well as many IPAs, tend to have significantly higher carb counts than regular lagers.

Understanding the Brewing Process and Beer's Carb Content

Beer is made from fermented cereal grains, typically malted barley, which is a rich source of carbohydrates. The brewing process involves several steps that dictate the final nutritional makeup of the beer. During mashing, starches from the grains are converted into sugars, mainly maltose. Yeast is then added during fermentation to consume these sugars and convert them into alcohol (ethanol) and carbon dioxide.

Not all sugars are consumed by the yeast. The residual unfermented sugars and complex carbohydrates called dextrins remain in the final product and contribute to the overall carb count. The extent of fermentation is the key to understanding why some beers are higher in carbohydrates than others. For example, lagers are generally more fully fermented than ales, which often leaves them with less residual carbohydrate. However, a non-alcoholic beer may have a higher carb count because of incomplete fermentation.

What Influences a Lager's Carb Count?

Several factors contribute to whether a specific lager is high in carbohydrates:

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): Higher ABV beers often start with a larger concentration of fermentable sugars in the wort, which can lead to higher residual carbs and calories. However, some brewers deliberately brew high-ABV beers that are also low-carb by ensuring a more complete fermentation. Low-alcohol lagers often have fewer calories overall, but some non-alcoholic versions surprisingly contain more residual sugars.
Brewing Ingredients: The type and amount of grain used play a significant role. Darker malts, for instance, can contribute more unfermentable sugars. Some lagers add ingredients for flavoring that can increase the carb content.
Filtration and Processing: Lager is typically fermented at cooler temperatures and for longer periods, and is often filtered more extensively than ale. This can result in a cleaner, crisper taste and often a lower carb count due to the more complete fermentation.

Regular Lager vs. Low-Carb Alternatives

A standard 12-ounce serving of regular lager can contain 10 to 15 grams of carbohydrates. This makes it a moderate-to-high carb option, especially for those on restrictive diets like keto or for individuals monitoring their carbohydrate intake for health reasons. A single serving is comparable to a slice of bread in terms of carbs. However, the landscape changes significantly when looking at different lager varieties.

Light Lagers

Light lagers are brewed to have fewer calories and a lower ABV, which in turn means they contain fewer carbs. A 12-ounce serving typically has between 3 and 10 grams of carbohydrates, making them a much better option for those watching their intake. Popular examples like Bud Light have around 6.6 grams of carbs, while Miller Lite comes in even lower at about 3.2 grams.

Ultra-Low-Carb Lagers

For drinkers who are serious about minimizing carbohydrates, several brands offer ultra-low-carb lagers. These brews often push the carb count below 3 grams per 12-ounce serving. This is achieved through specialized brewing processes that maximize the conversion of starches into alcohol, leaving very little residual sugar. Michelob Ultra is a well-known example with only 2.6 grams of carbs per serving.

Non-Alcoholic Lagers

This category can be deceptive. While they are free of alcohol, non-alcoholic (NA) beers often contain high amounts of fermentable sugars and therefore, higher carbohydrates. For example, O'Doul's contains 13.3 grams of carbs per 12-ounce serving, similar to or higher than a regular beer. This makes NA beers a poor choice for those concerned about carb content.

Comparison of Beer Styles: Carbs, Calories, and Alcohol

To illustrate the differences, let's compare the approximate nutritional values for a standard 12-ounce serving of various beer styles. Values can vary by brand, so checking the label or a nutritional database is always recommended.


Beer Style	Approximate Carbs (g)	Approximate Calories	ABV (%)
Regular Lager	10-15	140-160	4.5-5.0
Light Lager	3-10	95-120	3.5-4.5
Michelob Ultra	2.6	95	4.2
Stout/Porter	15-20+	180-200+	5.0-8.0+
IPA	12-20+	170-250+	5.5-11.0+
Non-Alcoholic	13-28+	70-110	<0.5

Craft Lagers and Other Considerations

With the rise of craft brewing, many smaller breweries are experimenting with lager styles, which can lead to variations in carb content. A craft pilsner might have a similar profile to a traditional lager, but a darker, maltier craft lager could have more carbs. The general rule of thumb is that if a beer is higher in alcohol and has a richer, more complex flavor, it likely has a higher carb count due to the unfermented sugars and a more complex grain bill.

Making Informed Decisions

When choosing a beer on a low-carb diet, it's crucial to look beyond the name and understand the specifics. A "lager" can range from very low-carb to moderately high-carb depending on whether it's a light, regular, or specialty brew. For those strictly limiting carbohydrate intake, sticking to a verified low-carb lager or selecting another low-carb alcohol option, such as spirits with zero-carb mixers, is the most reliable strategy.

Conclusion

So, is lager high in carbohydrates? The answer is nuanced. While regular lagers contain a moderate amount of carbs, typically 10-15 grams per serving, they are far from the highest-carb beers available. The key is to be aware of the style. Light lagers and specifically brewed low-carb lagers offer significantly fewer carbohydrates, making them a much more suitable choice for individuals managing their intake. Conversely, don't be fooled by non-alcoholic options, as they can sometimes contain more carbs than their boozy counterparts. By understanding the relationship between brewing, ABV, and carbs, you can make a more informed and diet-friendly choice when selecting a lager.

Low-Carb Alcohol Options Beyond Lager

For those who find that even light lagers contain too many carbs, many other alcoholic beverages fit into a low-carb lifestyle.

Dry Wines: A glass of red or white wine has only about 2-3 grams of carbs.
Distilled Spirits: Vodka, whiskey, and gin contain 0 grams of carbs when consumed straight. Mixing with a zero-carb mixer like diet soda or soda water maintains the low-carb profile.
Hard Seltzers: Most major hard seltzer brands are specifically marketed as low-carb, often containing 1-2 grams per serving. This is a very popular alternative to beer for dieters. For more information on low-carb living, consider reading resources from reputable sources like the Diabetes Australia blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, ales tend to have more residual carbohydrates than lagers because lagers are typically fermented more completely. However, this is not always the case, and the specific style (light, dark, craft) will dictate the final carb count.

Regular lagers are not a good choice for a strict keto diet due to their moderate carb count. However, some ultra-low-carb lagers, which contain as little as 2-3 grams of carbohydrates per serving, can be consumed in moderation while on keto.

Non-alcoholic beers can be high in carbs because they often undergo a shorter fermentation process, which means a higher amount of sugar from the malt remains unfermented. This contributes to a higher residual sugar and carb content.

Brewers create low-carb beers by using special enzymes to fully convert starches into fermentable sugars, which the yeast then fully consumes, leaving little to no residual carbohydrates. They also may use a lower starting gravity or brew a lighter style.

No, the carb content of lagers varies significantly based on their type. Regular lagers contain more carbs than light lagers, while ultra-low-carb varieties contain the least. The ABV and specific brewing process are the main factors that create this variation.

A regular beer typically has 10-15 grams of carbs per 12 oz, whereas a light beer usually has 3-10 grams. Light beers achieve their lower carb and calorie content by having less alcohol and fewer residual sugars.

Yes, alcohol provides seven calories per gram, while carbohydrates provide four calories per gram. Both contribute to the total calorie count, but they are metabolized differently by the body. For beer, calories typically come from both alcohol and carbohydrates.