What is the lowest calorie alcoholic beer? Unveiling the lightest brews

December 3, 2025 •

4 min read

With only 55 calories per 12-ounce serving, Budweiser Select 55 holds the title as one of the lowest calorie alcoholic beer options available. For those mindful of their calorie intake, understanding the source of calories in beer—primarily alcohol and residual carbs—is key to making an informed choice.

Quick Summary

A guide to the most calorie-efficient alcoholic beers on the market, detailing brands like Budweiser Select 55, Miller 64, and Michelob Ultra. It explains where beer calories originate and provides a comparison of popular ultra-light and light beer options.

Key Points

Absolute Lowest: Budweiser Select 55 is typically the lowest calorie alcoholic beer, with just 55 calories per 12 oz.
Alcohol is Key: Calories in beer come mainly from alcohol, so lower ABV beers usually have fewer calories.
Calorie Source: Calories also come from residual carbs left after fermentation; low-cal brewing minimizes both. See {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide} for more info.
Ultra-Light Options: Other top low-cal contenders include Miller 64 (64 calories) and Corona Premier (90 calories). See {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide} for more info.
Craft Alternatives: Craft breweries like Dogfish Head and Lagunitas offer flavorful, hop-forward IPAs under 100 calories. See {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide} for more info.
Taste vs. Calories: Choosing the best low-cal beer involves balancing your desire for flavor and ABV with your caloric goals. See {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide} for more info.
Guinness Surprise: A standard Guinness Draught is surprisingly low in calories compared to many other beers, offering a richer flavor profile for a similar caloric cost. See {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide} for more info.

Understanding Calories in Beer

The calories in beer primarily come from alcohol and carbohydrates. Alcohol is calorie-dense, containing about 7 calories per gram, nearly double that of carbs or protein. Higher ABV (Alcohol By Volume) generally means more calories. Residual carbohydrates, the sugars not fermented into alcohol, also contribute to calories. Brewers of low-calorie beer employ techniques to reduce both, resulting in a lighter beer with lower ABV and fewer carbs, although this can impact flavor.

The Absolute Lowest: Budweiser Select 55

Budweiser Select 55 is widely considered one of the lowest calorie alcoholic beers available, with just 55 calories per 12-ounce serving. This is achieved through a significantly low alcohol content and minimal carbohydrates, making it a primary choice for those seeking the absolute lightest option. Its focus is on minimal calories rather than complex flavors. For a list of other ultra-light options, see {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide}.

Popular Low-Calorie Beer Comparison

Many popular low-calorie beers offer a better balance of flavor and ABV, typically ranging from 90 to 110 calories. {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide} provides a table comparing several options.

The Rise of Low-Calorie Craft IPAs

Craft breweries are increasingly offering low-calorie IPAs, providing hoppy flavor with fewer calories.

Lagunitas DayTime IPA: A session IPA with noticeable hop character at 98 calories.
Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty IPA: Features monk fruit and offers a fruity hop experience at 95 calories.
Oskar Blues One-y IPA: Another hop-forward IPA around 100 calories.

How to Choose Your Low-Calorie Beer

Selecting the best low-calorie beer depends on your priorities. For the absolute fewest calories, ultra-light, low-ABV options are best. If flavor is more important, consider mid-range light beers or low-cal craft IPAs. Non-alcoholic beers offer the lowest calorie option. Remember that calorie counts are typically for a 12-ounce serving.

Conclusion

While Budweiser Select 55 stands out for having the fewest calories, the low-calorie alcoholic beer market offers a variety of choices. From ultra-light lagers to flavorful craft IPAs, consumers can find options that significantly reduce calories compared to standard beers. The ideal choice balances flavor, alcohol content, and individual caloric goals. Researching calorie counts will help you find a suitable beer.

For additional information on the calorie content of alcoholic beverages, refer to the Center for Science in the Public Interest [Which alcoholic beverages have the most (or least) calories?](https://www.cspi.org/article/which-alcoholic- собі beverages-have-most-or-least-calories).

What are the key factors that determine a beer's calorie count?

Calories in beer primarily come from alcohol and residual carbohydrates. Higher ABV beers and those with more unfermented sugars contain more calories. For more details, see {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide}.

How is a low-calorie beer made?

Low-calorie beers are made by reducing alcohol content or using yeasts and processes that ferment more sugars, resulting in fewer residual carbs. For more details, see {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide}.

Can a dark beer like Guinness be considered low-calorie?

Guinness Draught is relatively low in calories for a stout, with about 125 calories per 12 oz. For more details, see {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide}.

What are some of the most popular low-calorie craft beers?

Popular low-calorie craft options include Lagunitas DayTime IPA, Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty IPA, and Oskar Blues One-y IPA, generally under 100 calories. For more details, see {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide}.

Is lower ABV always better for reducing calories?

Yes, lower ABV generally leads to fewer calories because alcohol is the main calorie source. For more details, see {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide}.

Are non-alcoholic beers the lowest in calories?

Non-alcoholic beers are typically the lowest in calories as they contain almost no alcohol. For more details, see {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide}.

Do all low-calorie beers taste the same?

No, low-calorie beers vary in flavor, from mild ultra-lights to hoppy craft IPAs. For more details, see {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide}.

Are 'light' and 'low-calorie' interchangeable terms for beer?

While often used similarly in the US, 'light beer' means at least 25% fewer calories than the standard version. The EU has no standard definition for these terms. For more details, see {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide}.

What is a good low-calorie alternative to wine?

A light beer can be a lower-calorie option than wine; a typical glass of wine has about 120 calories, while a light beer may have fewer than 100.

Frequently Asked Questions

Budweiser Select 55 is widely regarded as the lowest calorie alcoholic beer, containing just 55 calories per 12-ounce serving due to its very low alcohol content.

Yes, lower alcohol content generally means fewer calories. Alcohol is a primary source of calories in beer, so brews with a lower ABV naturally have a lower calorie count. For more details, see {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide}.

Brewers reduce calories by limiting the alcohol content and ensuring more sugar is fermented into alcohol, leaving less residual sugar (carbohydrates) in the final product. For more details, see {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide}.

Yes, many craft breweries now offer low-calorie IPAs that deliver bold, hoppy flavor without high calories. Examples include Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty and Lagunitas DayTime IPA, both typically under 100 calories. For more details, see {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide}.

Low-calorie beers like Michelob Ultra (95 calories) offer a more traditional beer taste and higher ABV than ultra-light options like Budweiser Select 55 (55 calories), which prioritizes minimum calories over flavor.

Guinness Draught is surprisingly low-calorie for a stout, containing about 125 calories per 12 oz. While not the lowest, it provides a rich flavor with a moderate calorie count. For more details, see {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide}.

Yes, non-alcoholic beers still contain some calories, primarily from carbohydrates. However, they are generally much lower in calories than their alcoholic counterparts. For example, some have as few as 10 calories per can.

Not always. While often used to mean the same thing in the US, 'light beer' simply means it has at least 25% fewer calories than the regular version of that beer. In the EU, there is no standardized definition for 'light' or 'low-calorie' beer. For more details, see {Link: getlabtest.com https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/lowest-calorie-beer-guide}.

A light beer can often be a lower-calorie alternative to wine, especially when considering portion sizes. A typical 5 oz glass of wine has about 120 calories, while a light beer may have fewer than 100.