What is Budweiser's lowest calorie beer? A Detailed Nutrition Guide

November 5, 2025 •

4 min read

With the average beer containing over 150 calories, it's no wonder many people look for lighter alternatives. For those counting calories, determining what is Budweiser's lowest calorie beer is a common question, and the answer depends on whether you prefer a beverage with alcohol or a zero-proof option. The main contenders are Budweiser Select 55 and Budweiser Zero, which offer different features for different dietary priorities.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals that Budweiser Select 55 is the brand's lowest-calorie alcoholic option, while Budweiser Zero is the absolute lowest at 50 calories but contains no alcohol. It offers a side-by-side nutritional comparison of Budweiser's light beers and discusses key considerations for anyone balancing taste, alcohol content, and calorie intake for their lifestyle.

Key Points

Budweiser Select 55 is the lowest calorie alcoholic option from Budweiser, containing just 55 calories and 1.9g of carbs per 12-ounce serving.
Budweiser Zero is the absolute lowest calorie product under the Budweiser brand, with 50 calories per 12-ounce serving, but it is entirely alcohol-free.
Calorie content is tied to ABV, so ultra-low-calorie options like Select 55 (2.4% ABV) also have a lower alcohol percentage.
Bud Light Next is a zero-carb option at 80 calories and 4.0% ABV, making it a better choice for those focusing on carb reduction.
Other Anheuser-Busch alternatives include Michelob ULTRA (95 calories) and Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold (85-90 calories), which offer a balance of calories and standard ABV.
Consider taste and dietary goals when choosing; lower-calorie options may have a lighter body and less complex flavor than traditional beers.
The best choice depends on whether you prioritize minimizing calories, carbs, or maintaining a specific alcohol content, with options available for all preferences.

Exploring Budweiser's Lowest Calorie Contenders

When seeking a low-calorie beer, it is important to distinguish between alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. While Budweiser offers several reduced-calorie options, two stand out for their minimal caloric impact: Budweiser Select 55 and Budweiser Zero. Each serves a different purpose, and understanding their nutritional profiles is key to making the best choice for your diet.

Budweiser Select 55: The Lowest Calorie Alcoholic Option

For those who want to enjoy an alcoholic beverage with the lowest possible calorie count, Budweiser Select 55 is the definitive choice. As its name suggests, a standard 12-ounce serving contains just 55 calories. This is achieved by significantly reducing both the alcohol content and carbohydrates compared to a traditional lager.

Nutritional highlights of Budweiser Select 55 include:

Calories: 55 per 12 oz.
Carbohydrates: 1.9g per 12 oz.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 2.4%
Flavor profile: A golden lager made with caramel malts and a blend of hops, designed to be crisp, clean, and refreshing.

Budweiser Zero: The Absolute Lowest Calorie (Non-Alcoholic) Option

If your goal is to minimize calories completely and avoid alcohol, Budweiser Zero is the best option. With only 50 calories per 12-ounce serving, it is the lowest-calorie product available under the Budweiser name. It is brewed to deliver the flavor of a traditional lager without the alcohol, making it suitable for those who are sober-curious or who need to avoid alcohol for any reason.

Nutritional highlights of Budweiser Zero include:

Calories: 50 per 12 oz.
Carbohydrates: Not specified, but 0g sugar
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 0.0%
Flavor profile: Offers the full flavor and refreshment of Budweiser, but in an alcohol-free format.

A Comparative Look at Budweiser's Light Beers

Beyond the lowest-calorie options, it is helpful to compare other popular Budweiser-branded light beers. This table illustrates how they stack up nutritionally.


Beer (12 oz.)	Calories	Carbohydrates (g)	ABV (%)
Budweiser Select 55	55	1.9	2.4
Budweiser Zero	50	~0 (0g sugar)	0.0
Bud Light Next	80	0	4.0
Bud Light	110	6.6	4.2
Budweiser (Standard)	~145	10.6	~5.0

Note: Nutritional information is approximate and can vary slightly based on regional formulations.

Making the Best Choice for Your Nutritional Needs

When choosing a low-calorie beer, your decision should align with your specific health and dietary goals. Here are some factors to consider:

Alcohol's Role in Calorie Content

It is important to remember that alcohol itself contains calories, about 7 calories per gram, which is nearly as many as fat (9 per gram) and more than carbohydrates or protein (4 per gram). As the table shows, beers with higher alcohol content generally have more calories. The ultra-low ABV of Select 55 and the zero ABV of Budweiser Zero are the primary reasons for their extremely low calorie counts.

Understanding the Carbs vs. ABV Trade-off

For those on a low-carb or keto diet, Bud Light Next is a compelling option. It contains zero carbohydrates, making it an attractive choice for carb-counters, even though its 80-calorie count is slightly higher than Select 55. However, this comes at the cost of higher ABV. The best choice depends on whether reducing carbs or total calories is your main objective.

Considering Taste and Full-Bodied Flavor

Ultra-low-calorie beers, by nature, can sacrifice some of the full-bodied flavor found in traditional lagers. While Select 55 is brewed to maintain a crisp, clean taste, some may find it less robust than a standard Bud Light. On the other hand, Budweiser Zero is praised for its ability to mimic the classic Budweiser taste without the alcohol. Personal taste preference should therefore play a role in your decision.

Exploring Broader Anheuser-Busch Options

Beyond the Budweiser brand, Anheuser-Busch offers other popular low-calorie alternatives, most notably the Michelob ULTRA family. Michelob ULTRA contains 95 calories and 2.6g of carbs, making it a good middle ground for those who want a light beer with a higher ABV (4.2%) than Select 55. For an even lower-calorie option, Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold offers 85-90 calories per serving.

Conclusion

In summary, what is Budweiser's lowest calorie beer has two distinct answers. If you are looking for the absolute lowest calorie count, Budweiser Zero is the winner at 50 calories, but it is alcohol-free. For the lowest calorie alcoholic option, Budweiser Select 55 offers 55 calories per serving. The best choice depends entirely on your dietary priorities—whether you prioritize the lowest possible calorie count, a specific carb level, or a balance of taste and alcohol content. Carefully review the nutritional information of each product to find the perfect fit for your lifestyle. For more information on Budweiser products, you can check the official brand websites.

Optional Outbound Link

For detailed information on nutritional values across various Budweiser products, it's recommended to consult the official Anheuser-Busch website for the most accurate and up-to-date data. Anheuser-Busch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Budweiser Zero has the least calories (50) and no alcohol (0.0% ABV), while Budweiser Select 55 has the least calories for an alcoholic option (55 calories) with a 2.4% ABV.

Yes, Budweiser Select 55 remains available and is marketed as an ultra-low-calorie, low-carb beer for those seeking a lighter option.

Bud Light has 110 calories and 6.6g of carbs, while Bud Light Next has only 80 calories and zero carbs per 12-ounce serving. Bud Light Next is designed for those specifically tracking carbs.

Michelob Ultra contains 95 calories per 12-ounce serving, which is more than the 55 calories found in Budweiser Select 55. However, Michelob Ultra has a higher ABV (4.2%) compared to Select 55's 2.4%.

While low-carb beers exist, even low-calorie options contain some carbs. For a strict keto diet, alcohol should be consumed sparingly or avoided. Bud Light Next, with zero carbs, would be the most suitable option, though you still need to account for the calories from alcohol.

The calorie count in beer is primarily determined by its alcohol and carbohydrate content. Beers with a lower alcohol by volume (ABV) and fewer residual sugars or carbs will naturally have fewer calories, which is why light beers are lower in calories.

A standard 12-ounce Budweiser has around 145 calories, while a Budweiser Select 55 has only 55 calories. This represents a difference of about 90 calories per serving.