Is Modelo a Low Calorie Beer? The Nutritional Facts Explained

November 5, 2025 •

3 min read

A standard 12-ounce serving of Modelo Especial contains approximately 144 calories. This fact leads many to ask: is Modelo a low calorie beer? The answer, however, is not a simple yes or no, as it depends entirely on which specific Modelo product you are drinking.

Quick Summary

Modelo Especial is not a low-calorie beer, containing around 144 calories per 12-ounce serving. In contrast, Modelo Oro is a purpose-built light beer with only 90 calories per serving.

Key Points

Modelo Especial is not low-calorie: It contains approximately 144 calories per 12-ounce serving, similar to other standard lagers.
Modelo Oro is a low-calorie option: This specific light lager from Modelo has only 90 calories and 3 grams of carbs per 12-ounce serving.
Check the label carefully: The 'Modelo' brand includes both high and low-calorie options, so it is crucial to distinguish between 'Especial' and 'Oro'.
Calorie content varies by beer style: Richer beers like Negra Modelo will have a higher calorie count than a standard Modelo Especial.
Competitive with other light beers: Modelo Oro is nutritionally comparable to other market-leading light beers like Miller Lite and Michelob Ultra.
Lower-calorie alternatives exist: If you prefer other Mexican-style lagers, options like Corona Light or Pacifico also provide lighter choices.

Is Modelo Especial a Low Calorie Beer?

When people refer to 'Modelo,' they are most often talking about Modelo Especial, the brand's popular Pilsner-style lager. Despite its light, crisp taste, Modelo Especial is not considered a low-calorie beer by industry standards. A single 12 fl. oz. bottle or can of Modelo Especial contains an average of 143 to 144 calories and approximately 13 to 14 grams of carbohydrates. While it is a refreshing beer, its nutritional profile is comparable to other standard, full-flavored lagers, not light or diet-friendly alternatives.

Nutritional Breakdown of Modelo Especial

To make an informed choice, it's helpful to see the specific nutritional components of Modelo Especial per 12 oz serving:

Calories: 143–144
Carbohydrates: 13–14g
Protein: 1–1.1g
Fat: 0g
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 4.4%

What about Other Modelo Products?

While Modelo Especial is the most common variety, the brand has introduced other products to the market. For instance, Negra Modelo is a popular Munich Dunkel-style lager with a richer, fuller flavor profile. As a result, its calorie and carb count is typically higher than Modelo Especial, further solidifying that the standard Modelo lineup is not low-calorie. For those interested in flavored options, even Modelo Chelada Especial has a high-calorie count, partly due to the added ingredients.

Is Modelo Oro a Low Calorie Beer?

In a direct response to the demand for lighter options, Modelo launched Modelo Oro, a purpose-built light Mexican lager. This is the version of Modelo that can be accurately described as low-calorie. Created specifically for those seeking a lighter alternative, Modelo Oro offers a significantly reduced calorie and carbohydrate count while still delivering a smooth and crisp flavor. The official website touts it as the 'gold standard of light beer'.

Nutritional Breakdown of Modelo Oro

Per a 12 fl. oz. serving, the nutritional details for Modelo Oro are as follows:

Calories: 90
Carbohydrates: 3g
Protein: 0.7g
Fat: 0g
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 4.0%

The stark difference in calories and carbs between Modelo Oro and Modelo Especial makes it clear that consumer choice is paramount. If you are watching your calorie intake, Modelo Oro is the far better option from the brand's portfolio.

Modelo vs. Other Popular Light Beers: A Comparison

To put Modelo's nutritional information into perspective, here is a comparison table featuring a standard light beer and a major competitor's low-carb option. This comparison helps illustrate where Modelo Especial and Modelo Oro fit in the broader beer market.


Beer Brand	Calories (12 fl. oz.)	Carbohydrates (12 fl. oz.)	ABV (Approx.)
Modelo Especial	143-144	13-14g	4.4%
Modelo Oro	90	3g	4.0%
Miller Lite	96	3.2g	4.2%
Michelob Ultra	95	2.6g	4.2%

This comparison table clearly shows that Modelo Oro is competitive with other well-known American light beers in terms of calories and carbohydrates, while Modelo Especial is a full-calorie option.

Low-Calorie Alternatives to Modelo

If you're seeking a lower-calorie beer but prefer a different taste profile or want more options, here are several alternatives to consider:

Corona Light: A classic light Mexican lager option, similar in style to Modelo Oro, offering a crisp and refreshing experience.
Pacifico: A Mexican lager that is often described as smooth and light-bodied, although not as low-calorie as designated light beers.
Estrella Jalisco: Another lighter-bodied Mexican lager with a touch of sweetness and a clean finish, making it a suitable alternative.
Dos Equis: Offers both a pale lager and a darker amber, with Dos Equis lager being a decent light-bodied option.
American Light Lagers: Beers like Miller Lite or Michelob Ultra are consistent, low-calorie choices found almost everywhere.

Conclusion

To answer the question, "Is Modelo a low calorie beer?", the answer is both yes and no. The original, and most popular, Modelo Especial is not a low-calorie beer, with a calorie count and carb level similar to other standard lagers. However, the company now offers Modelo Oro, a specific light beer product with only 90 calories per serving, making it a legitimate low-calorie option. Choosing the right Modelo product depends entirely on your dietary needs. So, whether you want a full-flavored classic or a lighter, low-calorie alternative, Modelo offers a choice for you.

Learn more about Modelo's product lineup and nutritional information directly from the source: Casa Modelo Mexican Beer.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard 12-ounce serving of Modelo Especial contains approximately 144 calories and 13 to 14 grams of carbohydrates.

Yes, Modelo Oro is a light beer specifically designed to be low-calorie. It contains only 90 calories and 3 grams of carbs per 12-ounce serving.

Modelo Especial is not comparable to light beers and has more calories than typical light beers like Miller Lite or Michelob Ultra. However, Modelo Oro is very competitive with these light beer alternatives, often having a similar or slightly lower calorie count.

If your primary goal is to minimize calorie intake, you should choose Modelo Oro. At 90 calories per serving, it is the lightest option offered by the brand.

Beyond Modelo Oro, other Modelo products like Negra Modelo or Chelada Especial are not low-calorie options. Modelo Oro is the company's designated light beer.

No, Modelo Especial is not officially classified as a 'light beer'. It is a pale lager with a richer, fuller flavor profile and more calories than typical light beers.

Modelo Especial is brewed with a higher concentration of malts and non-malted cereals, resulting in a richer flavor and higher calorie and carbohydrate content. Modelo Oro is brewed to be specifically lighter in body and nutritional profile.