What Beers Should I Avoid for Taste and Health?

November 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Drinkaware, a typical pint of lager contains 180 calories, equivalent to a slice of pizza, which highlights how certain beers can sabotage your health goals. Whether you're concerned about weight gain, artificial ingredients, or simply bad flavor, knowing what beers should I avoid is key to making better choices for your palate and well-being.

Quick Summary

This guide outlines specific beer types and brands to avoid based on health concerns like high calories, sugar, and artificial additives, as well as common flavor issues. It covers popular brands often cited for artificial ingredients and discusses better alternatives for those watching their diet or seeking a cleaner taste.

Key Points

High-Calorie Brews: Avoid high-ABV styles like imperial stouts, barleywines, and certain specialty beers if you are managing your weight.
Artificial Ingredients: Be cautious of mass-produced beers that may use corn syrup, GMOs, or artificial colorings like caramel, a potential carcinogen.
Intense Hop Flavor: Beginners or those who dislike bitterness should steer clear of high-IBU India Pale Ales (IPAs) and Double IPAs.
Off-Flavors: Beers that have been improperly stored in clear or green bottles can develop a skunky flavor from light exposure and should be avoided.
Sugar Content: Watch out for overly sweet or flavored beers, which can contain a high level of residual sugars, impacting both health and palate.
Freshness Matters: For the best flavor, avoid beers that are past their prime, as they can develop cardboard-like, oxidized flavors over time.

Evaluating Your Reasons for Avoiding Certain Beers

Before diving into specific beers to avoid, it's essential to understand your personal motivation. Is your goal to reduce calories and manage weight? Are you sensitive to certain additives or gluten? Or is your primary concern simply avoiding a bad-tasting brew? Different beers present different downsides, so defining your priority will guide your decision-making process more effectively.

Health-Conscious Choices: The High-Calorie and High-Sugar Traps

If weight management is your priority, high-calorie and high-sugar beers should be on your avoid list. The calories in beer come from two main sources: alcohol and residual sugars from the fermentation process. The higher the Alcohol By Volume (ABV) and the sweeter the flavor profile, the more calories you're likely consuming. Hefty, complex brews like imperial stouts, barleywines, and some Belgian ales, while delicious, pack a caloric punch that can quickly add up. Similarly, many flavored or fruit-infused beers use added sugars or syrups, significantly increasing their calorie count. Newcastle Brown Ale, for example, has been cited for its caramel coloring, and some popular lagers like Corona and Stella Artois can have higher calorie and sugar content than perceived.

The Additive and Flavor Issue: What's Hiding in Your Beer?

For many, avoiding beer is a matter of avoiding unhealthy or unnatural additives. While brewers are not legally required to list ingredients on labels, consumer research has exposed some common culprits. Beers from major brands often contain corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, or other adjuncts that some people prefer to avoid due to health or dietary concerns. Others, like Newcastle Brown Ale, have come under fire for artificial caramel coloring. If you prioritize clean, simple ingredients, many craft breweries offer beers adhering to strict purity standards, often using only water, hops, yeast, and malted barley, unlike some mass-market options.

Off-Flavors to Watch For

Even with natural ingredients, mistakes in the brewing or storage process can lead to undesirable flavors, also known as 'off-flavors'.

Skunky Flavor: Caused by light exposure to hops, this off-flavor is particularly prevalent in beer sold in green or clear bottles.
Diacetyl: A buttery or butterscotch flavor resulting from fermentation issues.
Oxidized/Cardboard Flavor: Occurs when finished beer is exposed to oxygen, often from poor sealing or old beer.
DMS (Dimethyl Sulfide): Tastes like cooked corn and is usually a result of insufficient boiling.

The Bitter Reality: Hops and Hoppy Brews

For beer beginners or those who dislike bitterness, certain styles are best to avoid. India Pale Ales (IPAs), and especially Double IPAs, are defined by their heavy hop presence and intense bitterness. While craft beer lovers appreciate this profile, newcomers often find it off-putting. The bitterness is measured in International Bitterness Units (IBUs), and a high IBU count indicates a very hoppy, bitter beer.

Comparison Table: Common Beers to Reconsider


Beer Style/Brand	Key Reason to Avoid	Better Alternative	Why it's a Better Choice
Corona Extra	Contains GMO corn syrup and can be higher in calories than perceived.	A crisp Pilsner like a German Helles.	Uses a purer grain bill and offers a cleaner, less caloric profile.
Newcastle Brown Ale	Uses Class 3 and 4 caramel coloring, potentially from ammonia.	A traditional, clean Brown Ale.	Offers rich, malty flavor without artificial colorants.
High-ABV Imperial Stout	Very high in calories and alcohol, which can lead to quick intoxication.	A standard, low-ABV Stout or Porter.	Provides rich, dark flavors with a more manageable alcohol and calorie count.
Mass-Market IPA	Overly bitter for beginners; can lack nuanced flavor.	A balanced Pale Ale or a session IPA.	Less intense bitterness, providing a more approachable entry point to hoppy flavors.
Cheap, “Ice” Beers	Often use additives and adjuncts to boost alcohol content, resulting in a poor flavor profile.	A well-regarded Light Lager or Kolsch.	Offers a clean, refreshing taste with fewer artificial ingredients.

How to Make a Smarter Beer Choice

Avoiding certain beers isn't about shaming specific brands, but rather about aligning your consumption with your personal health, diet, and taste preferences. Start by reading labels, looking for ABV, and asking about ingredients, especially for craft beers. Consider your goals, whether that’s reducing sugar, avoiding artificial additives, or exploring more palatable flavors. You can also try non-alcoholic beers, which have become a booming market and offer a wide variety of flavors with minimal calories. Ultimately, the best beer is one you enjoy and that makes you feel good, both in the moment and afterward.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of beer can be complex, but knowing what to avoid can simplify your choices. Whether you're a beginner wary of intense flavors or a health enthusiast concerned about calories and additives, there are clear strategies for picking a brew that suits your needs. By staying informed about potential pitfalls like high ABV, artificial ingredients, and poor brewing practices, you can confidently steer clear of undesirable options and discover the fresh, flavorful beer that's right for you. The key is mindful drinking, prioritizing quality over quantity, and experimenting until you find the perfect match for your palate and lifestyle. A smart beer choice is not only a matter of taste but also a commitment to your well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, beers with higher alcohol content (ABV) and sweeter, malt-forward styles tend to be highest in calories. Examples include imperial stouts, barleywines, and some Belgian ales.

Some people choose to avoid beers with corn syrup or other adjuncts for dietary reasons, while others may not mind. Mass-market brands commonly use these ingredients, while many craft breweries rely on simpler, purer ingredients.

Not necessarily. While lower in calories, some light beers can still contain corn syrup or other additives. It's best to check the ingredients if possible and consider non-alcoholic or low-ABV craft options for cleaner alternatives.

A skunky beer has a sulfurous, off-putting taste and aroma, much like a skunk. It is caused by UV light reacting with hop compounds, which is why beers in clear or green bottles are particularly susceptible.

For those who find IPAs too bitter, a good alternative is a balanced Pale Ale, a wheat beer, or a session IPA. These styles offer lighter, less intense hop flavors and more balanced profiles.

Signs of a poorly made beer include off-flavors like buttery (diacetyl), cooked corn (DMS), or a strong medicinal taste (phenolic). Sour or moldy smells can indicate an infection, which is often a result of poor sanitation.

To avoid beers with artificial caramel coloring, often denoted as Class 3 or 4, research the brands you're interested in. Many craft breweries and traditional producers avoid these additives. Newcastle Brown Ale has been specifically cited for using this coloring.