What's the lowest carb beer you can buy? Your Ultimate Guide to Low-Carb Brews

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, the number of health-conscious consumers driving the low-carb beverage market continues to grow annually. For those watching their macros, knowing what's the lowest carb beer you can buy? can help maintain a healthy diet without sacrificing social enjoyment. This comprehensive guide provides the answers you need.

Quick Summary

This article explores the market's lowest-carb beer options, from zero-carb choices to ultra-light lagers. It details the nutritional profiles, brewing techniques, and key considerations for selecting the best beer to fit your dietary needs.

Key Points

Bud Light NEXT is the lowest carb alcoholic beer: This beer contains zero carbohydrates per 12 oz serving, making it the top choice for keto and zero-carb diets.
Low-carb doesn't mean zero calories: All alcoholic beverages, including low-carb beer, contain calories from alcohol, so managing portion size is crucial for weight management.
Ultra-low-carb alternatives exist: Brands like Budweiser Select 55 (1.9g), Michelob Ultra (2.6g), and Corona Premier (2.6g) offer minimal carb counts with varied flavor profiles.
Craft and N/A options are available: Flavorful low-carb alternatives, including hoppy IPAs from Dogfish Head and Lagunitas, as well as zero-carb non-alcoholic beers like Partake IPA, cater to diverse tastes.
Brewing processes reduce carbs: Brewers use special enzymes or extended fermentation to convert more sugars into alcohol, minimizing residual carbohydrates in the final product.
Moderation is essential: Even with low-carb options, drinking in moderation is key to maintaining a healthy diet and managing total calorie intake effectively.

The Quest for Zero: The Lowest of the Low

For many on a strict ketogenic or low-carb diet, finding a truly minimal-carb option is the goal. For a long time, the lowest carb beers still had some carbohydrate content, but brewing innovation has introduced options with no carbs at all. The clear winner in the zero-carb alcoholic beer category is Bud Light NEXT.

Bud Light NEXT: As the first zero-carb beer from Bud Light, this brew was the result of nearly a decade of development. It provides a crisp, refreshing taste without any carbohydrate impact, making it a perfect fit for a keto diet. However, like all alcohol, it still contains calories from the alcohol itself, so moderation is key for managing total caloric intake.

For those who prefer a non-alcoholic option, the options for zero-carb drinks are also expanding. One excellent example is:

Partake IPA (Non-alcoholic): This non-alcoholic IPA offers a hoppy, citrusy flavor with both zero carbs and very low calories. It’s an excellent choice for anyone who wants the taste of beer without the alcohol or carbohydrates.

Ultra-Low Carb Contenders: More Flavor, Minimal Carbs

While zero-carb beers are a recent innovation, several established brands have long offered ultra-low-carb beers. These beers are brewed to maximize fermentation, converting as much sugar to alcohol as possible. They typically fall between 1.9g and 3g of carbs per serving.

Budweiser Select 55: A classic in the ultra-light category, this beer boasts a remarkably low 1.9g of carbs and just 55 calories per 12 oz serving. It's ideal for those seeking the absolute lowest calorie and carb count while still enjoying an alcoholic beer, though the flavor is very light.
Michelob Ultra & Michelob Ultra Pure Gold: Michelob Ultra is a standard bearer for the low-carb beer category, with 2.6g of carbs per 12 oz. Its organic counterpart, Michelob Ultra Pure Gold, is an even slightly lower-carb option at 2.5g of carbs per 12 oz, along with fewer calories.
Corona Premier: A lighter version of the traditional Corona, Premier offers a clean, crisp flavor with only 2.6g of carbs and 90 calories per 12 oz. For those who enjoy the classic Corona taste profile, this is a perfect, lower-carb alternative.

Low-Carb Craft and International Options

The low-carb market isn't limited to major American labels. Many craft breweries and international brands have also entered the space, offering a variety of flavors for carb-conscious consumers.

Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty IPA: For IPA lovers, this beer is a game-changer. It delivers a hoppy flavor and aroma with only 3.6g of carbs per 12 oz, proving that low-carb doesn’t have to mean low flavor.
Lagunitas DayTime IPA: Another excellent low-carb IPA, this brew features a citrusy flavor with just 3g of carbs per 12 oz.
Heineken Silver: This lager from a major international brewer provides a smooth taste with a carb count of 2.9g per 12 oz.
Tennents Light Lager: For UK consumers, this beer stands out with a remarkably low 0.7g of carbs per bottle, making it one of the lowest-carb options available internationally.

Comparing the Top Low-Carb Beers


Beer Brand	Carbohydrates (12 oz)	Calories (12 oz)	ABV (%)	Tasting Notes	Availability
Bud Light NEXT	0g	80	4.0%	Crisp, light, zero carbs	Wide
Budweiser Select 55	1.9g	55	2.4%	Very light, mild, low alcohol	Wide
Michelob Ultra	2.6g	95	4.2%	Light, refreshing, slight citrus	Wide
Corona Premier	2.6g	90	4.0%	Mild, crisp, hint of fruit	Wide
Michelob Ultra Pure Gold	2.5g	85	3.8%	Organic, smooth, light flavor	Wide
Heineken Silver	2.9g	95	4.0%	Smooth, subtle taste	Wide
Lagunitas DayTime IPA	3g	98	4.0%	Hop-forward, citrusy, flavorful	Medium
Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty IPA	3.6g	95	4.0%	Hoppy, tropical fruit notes	Medium
Partake IPA (N/A)	0g	10	<0.5%	Hoppy, non-alcoholic	Regional/Online

Decoding the Brewing Process

Standard beer is made from fermenting malted barley and other grains, which contain starches and sugars. Brewers can reduce the carb content in several ways:

Extended Fermentation: Some brewers use special enzymes or yeast strains that consume more of the fermentable sugars during the brewing process. This leaves fewer residual carbohydrates in the final product.
Reduced Malt Content: Using fewer malted grains in the recipe naturally results in lower carbohydrate levels. This is common in many light beers, although it can also affect the flavor profile.
Ingredient Adjustments: Using non-malted cereals or alternative fermentation methods can contribute to lowering carb counts. The ingredients for Corona Premier, for instance, include water, barley malt, and non-malted cereals.

It is important to remember that alcohol itself contains calories (approximately 7 calories per gram). Therefore, a low-carb beer is not necessarily a low-calorie beer, especially if it has a high alcohol by volume (ABV). For example, a low-carb beer with 4.2% ABV will have significantly more calories than one with 2.4% ABV, even if the carb count is similar, due to the higher alcohol content.

The Role of Moderation in a Nutrition Diet

Even with the availability of zero and ultra-low-carb beers, moderation is a fundamental aspect of any nutrition diet. Excessive alcohol consumption, regardless of carb content, can have detrimental effects on health and weight management. Your body prioritizes processing alcohol, which can slow down fat metabolism. When consumed in excess, alcohol can also lead to poor food choices, hindering your dietary progress. By being mindful of your intake and choosing lower-carb options, you can enjoy beer responsibly while staying on track with your nutritional goals.

Conclusion

For those seeking the absolute lowest carb option, the answer is clear: Bud Light NEXT offers a 0g carb alcoholic beer. However, the choice of the 'best' low-carb beer depends on your personal preferences for flavor, calories, and ABV. Excellent alternatives like Budweiser Select 55 and Corona Premier offer minimal carbs with slightly different flavor profiles, while craft options like Lagunitas DayTime prove that low-carb and good taste are not mutually exclusive. By understanding the nutritional information and brewing process, you can make an informed decision that supports your nutrition diet without compromising your enjoyment of a cold beer. Always remember to prioritize moderation for overall health and wellness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bud Light NEXT is the lowest carb alcoholic beer available, containing 0g of carbohydrates per 12 oz serving.

No, calorie counts can vary significantly even among low-carb beers. This is because the calorie content is largely determined by the alcohol percentage (ABV), not just the carb count.

Yes, you can drink beer on a keto diet by choosing ultra-low or zero-carb options. Products like Bud Light NEXT, Michelob Ultra, and Corona Premier contain minimal carbs that can fit within a daily macro count.

Yes, craft breweries have developed flavorful low-carb options. Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty IPA and Lagunitas DayTime IPA are two popular examples that deliver a hoppy flavor with a low-carb profile.

Brewers typically use special enzymes during fermentation to break down and consume more of the fermentable sugars in the mash. This process leaves fewer residual carbohydrates in the final product.

Both Michelob Ultra and Corona Premier contain 2.6g of carbs per 12 oz serving, placing them in a similar ultra-low-carb category.

Yes, brands like Partake Brewing offer zero-carb, non-alcoholic beers, such as their IPA, which is an excellent option for those abstaining from alcohol entirely.