What's the lowest carb beer? A detailed look at zero and ultra-low options

October 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to brewing industry reports, brewers have developed specialized processes to create beers with significantly reduced carbohydrate counts, sometimes reaching zero grams. When asking, "What's the lowest carb beer?" the answer often points to innovations in the light beer and non-alcoholic sectors, offering great alternatives for those managing their carb intake.

Quick Summary

This guide covers the top contenders for the lowest carb beer, including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices. It examines specific brands, explains the brewing methods used to reduce carbohydrates, and compares nutritional information to help you select the best low-carb option.

Key Points

Bud Light Next is Zero Carbs: For drinkers seeking an alcoholic beer with absolutely no carbohydrates, Bud Light Next is the top national contender.
Low-Carb Beers Use Special Enzymes: Brewers utilize techniques like adding enzymes to break down complex sugars more completely, resulting in fewer residual carbs.
Non-Alcoholic Options Can Be Zero Carb: For zero-carb, alcohol-free beer, options like Partake Brewing's IPA are available.
Consider More Than Just Carbs: When choosing a low-carb beer, also consider the alcohol content (ABV) and overall calories, as higher ABV can contribute to a higher calorie count.
Read Labels to Compare: Different "light" beers have varying carb counts, so reading the nutrition label is crucial to determine the exact carbohydrate content.

Navigating the World of Low-Carb Beer

For those on a low-carb diet like keto, enjoying a beer can be a challenge due to the high carbohydrate content of traditional brews. However, modern brewing technology has made it possible to produce beers with significantly fewer carbs without sacrificing taste. These low-carb options are achieved through extended fermentation or the use of specific enzymes that break down sugars more completely. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize zero carbs, low calories, or a higher alcohol-by-volume (ABV) ratio.

The Zero-Carb Contenders

While most alcoholic beers contain at least some carbs, a few specific products have broken the mold by offering a genuinely zero-carb experience.

Bud Light Next: As one of the most prominent zero-carb beers on the market, Bud Light Next was introduced as a major innovation by Anheuser-Busch. It contains 0 grams of carbohydrates, 80 calories, and has an ABV of 4%. The result is a light, crisp, and refreshing beer designed for those who want to avoid carbs entirely.
Certain Non-Alcoholic Options: If you're looking for a zero-carb option without the alcohol, brands like Partake Brewing offer non-alcoholic varieties. Their IPA, for instance, boasts 0 grams of carbs and only 10 calories per 12-oz can, making it an excellent choice for a low-carb, alcohol-free beverage.

Ultra-Low Carb Alcoholic Beers

If a true zero-carb beer isn't available or if you prefer a slightly different flavor profile, there are several ultra-low-carb beers that are close behind. These options generally contain under 3 grams of carbs per serving.

Budweiser Select 55: This premium light lager is one of the lowest-carb alcoholic beers available, with only 1.9 grams of carbs per 12-oz serving. It's a crisp, golden-colored lager with 55 calories and is a popular choice for those strictly counting carbs.
Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold: This USDA-certified organic light lager offers only 2.5 grams of carbs and 85 calories per 12-oz serving. It's brewed with organic grains, giving it a superior golden taste that appeals to those seeking a balance between a natural product and low-carb content.
Corona Premier: With 2.6 grams of carbs and 90 calories per bottle, Corona Premier provides a slightly higher carb count than the very lowest options but retains a light, refreshing taste favored by many.
Other notable options include Lagunitas DayTime IPA (3g carbs) and Michelob Ultra (2.6g carbs), both offering a great balance of flavor and low-carb content.

The Brewing Science Behind Low-Carb Beers

To achieve such low carbohydrate levels, brewers must manipulate the fermentation process. Normal beer brewing involves yeast consuming sugars from malted grains to produce alcohol and carbonation. The unfermented sugars and complex carbohydrates that remain contribute to the beer's body, sweetness, and carb count.

To create low-carb beer, brewers use special enzymes, like amyloglucosidase, to break down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars. The yeast can then consume these simple sugars, leading to a beer that is fermented more completely, leaving very few residual carbohydrates. This process is what gives these beers their lighter body and drier finish. In some cases, brewers also use alternative ingredients to reduce the starting amount of fermentable sugars.

Comparison Table: Lowest Carb Beers (12-oz serving)


Brand	Carbs (g)	Calories	ABV (%)	Tasting Notes
Bud Light Next	0	80	4.0	Crisp, refreshing, light-bodied
Partake IPA (NA)	0	10	0.0	Hoppy snap of citrus, light, no-carb
Budweiser Select 55	1.9	55	2.4	Light golden, crisp, clean taste
Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold	2.5	85	3.8	Crisp taste, brewed with organic grains
Corona Premier	2.6	90	4.0	Fewer carbs and calories than Corona Light
Michelob Ultra	2.6	95	4.2	Balanced and active lifestyle favorite
Lagunitas DayTime IPA	3	98	4.0	Classic citrus-forward American hops
Miller Lite	3.2	96	4.2	Delicately balanced, more taste

How to Choose Your Low-Carb Beer

Making an informed decision about the best low-carb beer for your diet involves more than just looking at the carb count. Here are some tips:

Read the label carefully: Always check the nutrition facts on the can or bottle. Not all "light" beers are created equal, and some may have a higher carb count than others.
Consider ABV and Calories: Remember that alcohol also contains calories. While a beer might be low in carbs, a higher ABV can still contribute a significant number of calories. If weight management is your goal, look for options that balance low carbs with low calories, like Budweiser Select 55.
Look for Craft Options: The craft beer industry has embraced the low-carb trend, producing options like Brut IPAs and other styles that use special enzymes to dry out the beer and lower the carb count. Examples include Lagunitas DayTime IPA and Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty IPA.
Moderation is key: Even with low-carb beer, consuming alcohol in excess can stall weight loss and disrupt ketosis. The body prioritizes metabolizing alcohol over fat, so mindful consumption is essential.
Explore Alternatives: If you find the flavor of ultra-light beers too thin, consider other low-carb alcoholic beverages such as dry wines or spirits mixed with a zero-carb mixer like soda water or diet tonic.

Conclusion

For those on a low-carb diet who still want to enjoy a beer, there are more options than ever. When answering the question "What's the lowest carb beer?", the current market offers clear choices, including the zero-carb Bud Light Next and several ultra-low options like Budweiser Select 55 and Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold. With a little research and careful label reading, you can find a brew that fits your nutritional goals without compromising your lifestyle. Remember to consider not only the carb count but also the ABV and overall calorie content to make the best choice for you. For more detailed information on nutrition and alcoholic beverages, consider visiting a reputable health and diet website like Healthline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bud Light Next is widely considered the lowest carb alcoholic beer, boasting 0 grams of carbohydrates per 12-oz serving.

Brewers use special enzymes, like amyloglucosidase, to break down complex carbohydrates in the malted grains. This allows the yeast to consume more of the sugars during fermentation, leaving fewer residual carbs.

Yes, some non-alcoholic beer brands like Partake Brewing offer zero-carb options. For example, the Partake IPA has 0g of carbs and 10 calories per can.

Yes, Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold has 2.5 grams of carbs per 12-oz serving, slightly less than the 2.6 grams in a regular Michelob Ultra.

Budweiser Select 55 contains 1.9 grams of carbohydrates and 55 calories per 12-oz serving, making it one of the lowest-carb options available.

No, not all beer labeled as "light" is created equal. While many are lower in carbs than regular beer, the specific carb count can vary. Always check the nutrition label to be sure.

Yes, even low-carb beer should be consumed in moderation. Alcohol metabolism takes priority in the body, which can pause ketosis temporarily. The calories from alcohol can also affect weight loss goals.