Nutrition Diet: What is the healthiest beer you can drink?

October 20, 2025 •

3 min read

Recent market data shows a growing trend toward healthier alternatives, as evidenced by a decline in U.S. beer consumption. This cultural shift raises an important question for mindful consumers: What is the healthiest beer you can drink?.

Quick Summary

This article evaluates which beers offer the best nutritional profile by comparing calories, carbohydrates, and ABV. It explores options from non-alcoholic to craft stouts to help you choose a better-for-you brew while still enjoying its flavor.

Key Points

Non-Alcoholic is Healthiest: NA beers are the lowest in calories and have no alcohol, making them the healthiest option by default.
Low-Calorie Options Abound: Many light beers, such as Michelob Ultra or Bud Light Next, offer a low-calorie and low-carb way to consume alcohol.
Dark Beers Offer Antioxidants: Dark stouts and porters, contrary to popular belief, contain antioxidants from roasted malts and can be relatively low in calories.
Craft Beers Contain Varied Nutrients: Some craft brews, like IPAs or Lambics, may offer specific compounds like humulone (anti-inflammatory) or probiotics, but often have higher calories and ABV.
Moderation is Most Important: Regardless of the beer chosen, moderate consumption is the key factor for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Check Labels for Nutritional Content: Always read labels, as calories and carbs can vary significantly between brands, even within the same style.

When considering which beer to choose, 'healthy' can be a subjective term. The most appropriate choice for you depends on your personal health goals, such as limiting calories, reducing alcohol intake, or maximizing potential beneficial compounds. While the best option is always no alcohol, moderate consumption of certain types of beer can fit into a healthy lifestyle.

The Non-Alcoholic Advantage

For anyone looking to reduce or eliminate alcohol, non-alcoholic (NA) beer is the clearest winner in the health category. The lack of alcohol significantly reduces the calorie count, as alcohol contains seven calories per gram. The NA market has expanded rapidly, with many options that mimic the taste and feel of traditional beer without the intoxicating effects.

Athletic Brewing Co. Lite Lager: Offers a mere 25 calories and 5 grams of carbs per 12-ounce serving.
Guinness 0: A non-alcoholic stout that impressively delivers the flavor of its full-bodied counterpart with only around 60 calories.
Budweiser Zero: This familiar brand's NA version has only 50 calories per 12 oz can.

While NA beers are a great low-calorie option, it is important to note that they sometimes contain more carbohydrates than some alcoholic light beers. Always check the label if you are closely monitoring carb intake.

Low-Calorie and Light Beers

For those who prefer an alcoholic beverage, many light and low-calorie beers are available. These products are brewed to reduce calories and carbs, often by reducing the alcohol content.

Michelob Ultra: A classic light lager, it contains only 95 calories and 2.6g of carbs per 12 oz.
Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty Lo-Cal IPA: This innovative brew uses monk fruit to achieve a robust hoppy flavor with just 95 calories and 3.6g of carbs.
Bud Light Next: Anheuser-Busch's zero-carb option has 80 calories and 0 grams of carbohydrates.

This category provides a responsible choice for beer drinkers aiming to moderate their consumption without giving up alcohol entirely. The trade-off for the lower calories is often a lighter, less complex flavor profile than a traditional brew.

The Surprising Case for Dark Beers

It's a common misconception that dark beers, like stouts and porters, are loaded with calories and unhealthy. In reality, some of these brews, when consumed in moderation, can offer additional nutritional benefits. Dark roasted malts are rich in antioxidants, which are compounds that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Guinness Draught: This stout has only 125 calories per 12 oz serving, which is lower than many standard beers and even some craft IPAs. Its rich, satisfying flavor can help you feel full, potentially reducing the total amount you drink.

Craft Beer and its Nutritional Nuances

Artisan craft beers, though sometimes higher in calories and alcohol, can possess certain beneficial compounds due to specialized brewing methods and higher-quality ingredients.

IPAs: The hops used in many Indian and American Pale Ales contain humulone, a compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Lambics and Gose: These sour beers are created through bacterial fermentation, introducing probiotic bacteria that may be beneficial for gut health.

While these potential benefits exist, craft beer should be consumed with awareness of its higher calorie and ABV content compared to light or non-alcoholic options.

Comparison Table: Healthy Beer Options


Beer (12 oz)	Calories	Carbs	ABV	Key Benefit
Athletic Lite (NA)	~25	~5g	<0.5%	Alcohol-free, extremely low-calorie
Budweiser Select 55	55	1.9g	2.4%	One of the lowest-calorie alcoholic options
Guinness 0 (NA)	~60	~13.5g	0%	Rich flavor without the alcohol
Bud Light Next	80	0g	4.0%	Zero carbs, low calorie
Michelob Ultra	95	2.6g	4.2%	A popular balance of low-cal and flavor
Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty	95	3.6g	4.0%	Hoppy flavor with monk fruit sweetener
Guinness Draught	~125	~10g	4.2%	Antioxidants, relatively low-cal for a stout

Conclusion

There is no single 'healthiest' beer, as the answer depends on your priorities. For those seeking the lowest calories and eliminating alcohol-related risks, non-alcoholic beers are the clear choice, with options like Athletic Brewing Co. offering impressively low counts. If you want to enjoy an alcoholic beer while watching your weight, many light beers provide a good balance of flavor and low calories. For drinkers interested in additional antioxidants and a richer taste, certain dark stouts like Guinness can be a decent option in moderation. Regardless of your choice, the most important factor for your health is practicing moderation. Making informed decisions by checking the nutritional information on labels empowers you to make a choice that aligns with your dietary goals. For more details on low-calorie options, see resources like NYU's Guide to Low-Calorie Beers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, non-alcoholic beers are unequivocally healthier due to the absence of alcohol, which is the primary source of empty calories in beer. They eliminate alcohol-related health risks, though they should still be consumed in moderation as they can contain carbohydrates.

Some studies suggest that moderate beer consumption may be linked to certain health benefits, such as improved heart health and stronger bones, due to nutrients like B vitamins and silicon. However, excessive consumption outweighs any potential benefits.

While it feels heavy, Guinness Draught is surprisingly low in calories for a dark beer at about 125 calories per 12 oz. It also contains antioxidants from its roasted malt. Its rich flavor can make you feel more satisfied with less, but it is not a 'diet beer'.

For those on a low-carb diet, options with very low carbohydrate counts are best. Bud Light Next offers 0g carbs, while Michelob Ultra has only 2.6g per 12 oz. Always check the label, as carb content can vary.

Some craft beers, particularly IPAs, contain compounds like humulone from hops, which have antioxidant properties. Certain sour beers like Lambics have probiotic bacteria. However, craft beers are often higher in calories and alcohol, so they should be consumed sparingly.

A 'beer belly' is not caused by beer alone but by excess calories from any source, including beer, combined with a lack of physical activity. Many studies have found that moderate beer drinkers do not necessarily weigh more than non-drinkers.

Some of the absolute lowest-calorie options on the market include Budweiser Select 55, at just 55 calories per 12 oz, and Athletic Brewing Co.'s Lite Lager, an NA option with only 25 calories.