Understanding What Are the Lowest Calories in Beer and Your Best Options

December 26, 2025 •

3 min read

About 60% of the calories in beer come directly from its alcohol content, while the remaining 40% typically comes from residual carbohydrates. For beer drinkers aiming to moderate their intake without sacrificing flavor, selecting a low-calorie option is a key strategy for maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

Quick Summary

An exploration of beers with the lowest calorie counts, explaining the factors that influence their nutritional profile, including alcohol by volume (ABV) and residual carbohydrates. It provides a comprehensive comparison of popular brands and different beer types, from mainstream light lagers to craft and non-alcoholic alternatives, for making informed decisions.

Key Points

ABV is a Key Factor: Alcohol by Volume (ABV) is the most significant indicator of a beer's calorie count, with higher ABV beers containing more calories.
Non-Alcoholic Beers are Often Lowest: Beers with less than 0.5% ABV generally have the fewest calories, though they still contain some from carbs.
Ultra-Low-Calorie Options Exist: Mainstream brands like Budweiser Select 55 and Miller 64 offer some of the lowest-calorie alcoholic options available.
Don't Judge a Beer by Its Color: Darker beers are not always higher in calories; a rich, dark Guinness Draught has a relatively moderate calorie count.
Calorie Savings Add Up: Switching from a regular beer (approx. 150 calories) to a light beer (approx. 95 calories) can lead to significant calorie savings over time.

What Determines Beer Calories?

To understand which beers are the lowest in calories, you must first understand where the calories come from. The two main contributors are alcohol and carbohydrates. A gram of alcohol contains roughly 7 calories, nearly as much as a gram of fat (9 calories), while carbohydrates provide 4 calories per gram. This means that the higher a beer's alcohol content (ABV), the higher its calorie count will typically be. Brewers reduce calories by either lowering the ABV or fermenting more of the carbohydrates into alcohol, resulting in a drier beer.

The Absolute Lowest-Calorie Options

For those seeking the absolute bottom of the calorie scale, the list often includes ultra-light and non-alcoholic options. These achieve their minimal calorie count by significantly reducing or eliminating alcohol and residual sugars.

Budweiser Select 55: Clocking in at just 55 calories per 12-ounce serving, this beer has a very low 2.4% ABV and only 1.9g of carbs.
Miller 64: This ultra-light beer contains 64 calories, 2.4g of carbs, and a 2.8% ABV per 12-ounce serving.
Bud Light Next: A newer innovation, this beer boasts zero carbohydrates and 80 calories at a 4% ABV.
Corona Premier: A crisp, light option that offers just 90 calories per 12-ounce bottle, along with 2.6g of carbs and a 4% ABV.

Low-Calorie Craft and Specialty Beers

With the craft beer boom, drinkers no longer need to sacrifice flavor for lower calories. Many breweries now produce flavorful session IPAs and light ales that keep calories in check.

Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty: A popular low-cal IPA brewed with monk fruit, it contains 95 calories, 3.6g of carbs, and a 4% ABV.
Lagunitas Daytime: A session IPA with 98 calories, 3g of carbs, and a 4% ABV, providing a hoppy flavor without the heavy feel.
Michelob Ultra Pure Gold: This organic option is a step up from the original Michelob Ultra, with 85 calories, 2.5g of carbs, and a 3.8% ABV.
Guinness Draught: Surprisingly, this dark stout is relatively low in calories for its style, with approximately 125 calories per 12-ounce serving. Its rich flavor allows for slower, more mindful sipping.

Non-Alcoholic Beers: An Ultra Low-Calorie Alternative

For those eliminating alcohol entirely, non-alcoholic (NA) beers are an excellent choice for keeping calories at a minimum. However, it is important to note that many NA beers still contain some calories from carbohydrates.

Athletic Brewing Co. Lite: This NA beer contains only 25 calories and 5g of carbs per 12-ounce can, making it one of the lowest-calorie NA options.
Heineken 0.0: A non-alcoholic alternative with a crisp taste, containing 69 calories per 12-ounce serving.
Big Drop Brewing Co Paradiso Citra IPA: An exceptional non-alcoholic IPA option, with just 10 calories per 350ml can.

Low-Calorie Beer Comparison Table


Beer Name	Style	Calories (per 12 oz)	ABV	Carbs (g)
Budweiser Select 55	Lager	55	2.4%	1.9
Miller 64 Extra Light	Lager	64	2.8%	2.4
Molson Canadian 67	Lager	70	3.0%	2.6
Bud Light Next	Lager	80	4.0%	0
Corona Premier	Lager	90	4.0%	2.6
Michelob Ultra Pure Gold	Organic Lager	85	3.8%	2.5
Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty	IPA	95	4.0%	3.6
Michelob Ultra	Lager	95	4.2%	2.6
Miller Lite	Lager	96	4.2%	3.2
Coors Light	Lager	102	4.2%	5.0

How to Choose a Low-Calorie Beer

Beyond just looking at the number on the label, here are some tips for making healthier choices when drinking beer:

Check the ABV: As noted, a lower alcohol percentage almost always correlates to fewer calories. A session IPA (typically 4-5% ABV) is a great alternative to a higher ABV imperial IPA (often 7%+).
Prioritize Light Beers: In the US, beers labeled “light” or “lite” are required to have at least 33% fewer calories than their standard versions.
Don't Judge by Color: The darkness of a beer does not necessarily indicate a higher calorie count. Guinness Draught is a prime example of a dark beer that is surprisingly low in calories.
Choose Smaller Servings: Simply drinking from a bottle instead of a larger draft pint can significantly reduce your total calorie consumption.
Consider Non-Alcoholic Options: Many flavorful NA beers are now available and are the best choice for a truly minimal calorie drink.

Conclusion

Finding a beer with the lowest calories depends on your priorities, whether you are looking for minimal calories with alcohol, a flavorful craft option, or a completely non-alcoholic beverage. While beers like Budweiser Select 55 and Miller 64 offer the absolute fewest calories among alcoholic choices, many craft and non-alcoholic brands now provide excellent, flavorful alternatives. The key is to check the ABV and carb content and choose moderation for a healthier experience. For more information on caloric content in beverages, you can consult resources like the MedlinePlus guide to alcoholic beverage calories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Among alcoholic beers, Budweiser Select 55 is one of the lowest, with just 55 calories per 12-ounce serving. However, non-alcoholic options can be even lower, such as Athletic Brewing Co. Lite at only 25 calories per can.

Beer calories are primarily determined by the amount of alcohol and unfermented carbohydrates. Alcohol contributes about 7 calories per gram, and carbs provide 4 calories per gram.

No, the color of a beer is not a reliable indicator of its calorie content. For example, a dark stout like Guinness Draught is surprisingly lower in calories than many people assume, coming in around 125 calories for a 12-ounce serving.

Not necessarily. While low-carb beers are often lower in calories, the calorie count is more closely tied to the Alcohol by Volume (ABV). A low-carb beer with a higher ABV could still have more calories than a standard light beer.

No, non-alcoholic beers are not calorie-free. They still contain calories from carbohydrates and sugars, though significantly fewer than their alcoholic counterparts. For example, Heineken 0.0 has 69 calories per 12-ounce serving.

For craft beer enthusiasts, Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty is a strong option. It is a low-cal IPA brewed with monk fruit, providing 95 calories, 3.6g of carbs, and a 4% ABV.

A rough estimate of a beer's calories can be made by multiplying its ABV percentage by 2.5 and then by the number of fluid ounces. For example, a 12-ounce, 4% ABV beer is approximately (4 x 2.5) x 12, or 120 calories.