Which Beer Has No Sugar Content? A Guide to Zero and Low-Sugar Options

October 10, 2025 •

3 min read

Did you know that many traditional alcoholic beers contain zero sugar due to the fermentation process, which converts sugars into alcohol? This is not true for all brews, especially some modern non-alcoholic varieties. Here, we explore which beer has no sugar content, including specific brand recommendations for those watching their sugar intake.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals that while many standard alcoholic and specific modern beers naturally lack sugar, some light and non-alcoholic brews do not. Learn what to look for.

Key Points

Fermentation eliminates sugar: Most traditional alcoholic beers contain zero sugar because yeast consumes all fermentable sugars during brewing.
Not all light or NA beers are zero sugar: Some light and many non-alcoholic beers may contain residual sugars due to altered brewing processes.
Budweiser Zero is a true zero-sugar NA option: For a non-alcoholic choice with no sugar, Budweiser Zero is a confirmed option.
Bud Light Next is a zero-carb, zero-sugar beer: This product offers a zero-carb, zero-sugar, low-calorie alcoholic alternative.
Always check the label: The most reliable way to confirm sugar content is to read the nutritional information on the packaging, especially for non-traditional brews.
Low-sugar doesn't mean zero-sugar: Many light beers are low in sugar, but a few, like Coors Light, can still contain a gram or two.

The Science Behind Zero-Sugar Beer

At its core, traditional beer production relies on a process called fermentation. During this process, yeast consumes fermentable sugars from the malted grain and converts them into alcohol and carbon dioxide. A brewer's goal is to ensure this process goes to completion, leaving behind no residual sugar. For many standard alcoholic beers, this is a natural outcome. The final product is technically sugar-free, though it still contains carbohydrates and calories from the alcohol itself and any unfermentable compounds.

How Non-Alcoholic and Light Beers Differ

The process is different for non-alcoholic (NA) and some low-carb light beers. To produce an NA beer, brewers either limit the fermentation process or remove the alcohol later. If fermentation is limited, a high amount of residual sugar can be left behind, as the yeast doesn't have time to consume it all. Conversely, removing the alcohol after full fermentation can sometimes strip away flavor, leading brewers to add sweeteners back in to compensate. This is why it is critical to check the label for NA and low-carb options.

For some low-carb beers, an enzyme is added to break down residual carbs into more fermentable sugars, which are then consumed by the yeast, reducing both carb and calorie counts.

Zero-Sugar Beer Recommendations

While many standard lagers contain zero grams of sugar, several brands explicitly market low- and zero-sugar options. Here are some of the most prominent ones:

Budweiser Zero: As its name suggests, this non-alcoholic brew contains zero grams of sugar and zero carbs per 12-ounce serving. It's a great option for those who want the taste of beer without the alcohol, sugar, or high carb count. It does contain 50 calories, however.
Bud Light Next: This product is marketed as a zero-carb beer and, by extension, contains zero sugar. A 12-ounce serving has 80 calories and 4% ABV.
The Löwecal Lager: For those seeking an alcoholic option, The Löwecal Lager proudly promotes itself as a zero-carb and zero-sugar lager. It sits at a sessionable 4.2% ABV with 88 calories per 330ml.
Many Standard Beers: It's important to reiterate that a vast number of regular-strength beers, like Heineken and Miller High Life, naturally contain zero sugar, though they have a higher carbohydrate and calorie count than their low-carb counterparts.

Comparison Table of Zero and Low-Sugar Beers

To help you make an informed choice, here is a comparison of some popular beer options based on their nutritional information per 12 oz serving.


Beer	Type	Calories	Carbohydrates	Sugar	ABV
Budweiser Zero	Non-Alcoholic	50	0g	0g	<0.05%
Bud Light Next	Light Lager	80	0g	0g	4%
Michelob Ultra	Light Lager	95	2.6g	0g	4.2%
Miller Lite	Light Lager	96	3.2g	0g	4.2%
Coors Light	Light Lager	102	5g	1g	4.2%
Heineken 0.0	Non-Alcoholic	~76	~1.3g/100ml	~1.3g/100ml	0.0%

Note: Nutritional information can vary slightly by region and batch. Always check the product label for the most accurate data.

Making the Best Choice for Your Needs

Choosing the right beer depends on your personal dietary goals. If you are focused on minimizing sugar for health reasons, such as diabetes management, a traditional, fully fermented beer is often a safe bet, despite its higher calorie count. If you are following a keto or low-carb diet, specific products like Bud Light Next and The Löwecal Lager are explicitly designed for this purpose. For those abstaining from alcohol, Budweiser Zero provides a true zero-sugar experience. The critical takeaway is to avoid assuming that all 'light' or 'non-alcoholic' beers are automatically sugar-free, as the brewing process can lead to surprising variations. Reading the nutritional label is your most reliable strategy. For additional information on nutrition, authoritative sources such as the USDA are helpful.

Conclusion

While many beers can be considered sugar-free due to the fermentation process, specific modern innovations have created options with zero grams of sugar and carbs. Traditional lagers like Miller Lite and Michelob Ultra are reliable choices for zero-sugar content, while specialized products like Budweiser Zero and Bud Light Next cater to those seeking a zero-sugar, zero-carb, or non-alcoholic brew. Always check the label, especially for non-alcoholic products, to confirm the sugar content before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many regular alcoholic beers, such as standard lagers, contain no sugar due to the fermentation process, which fully converts the sugars. Specific branded options like Budweiser Zero (non-alcoholic) and Bud Light Next (alcoholic) are also explicitly advertised as having zero sugar.

No, not all non-alcoholic (NA) beers are sugar-free. Some NA beers have higher sugar content than their alcoholic counterparts because the process of removing alcohol can leave residual sugar behind or necessitate adding sweeteners to improve the flavor.

The most reliable method is to check the nutritional label on the packaging. Look for 'Sugars' listed as 0g per serving. Do not assume 'low-carb' or 'light' automatically means zero sugar.

Not necessarily, but they are not always sugar-free. Many low-carb beers, like Michelob Ultra and Miller Lite, successfully ferment out all sugars, resulting in zero grams. However, checking the label is always the safest bet to confirm sugar content.

Sugar is a type of carbohydrate. While fermentation can remove all the sugar, other carbohydrates from grains may remain in the beer and are not fermented into alcohol. This is why a beer can have zero sugar but still have a carbohydrate count.

Standard Bud Light generally contains zero grams of sugar, but their product 'Bud Light Next' is explicitly marketed as a zero-carb and therefore zero-sugar option. Always verify with the specific product's nutritional information.

High sugar content in beer is most often found in non-alcoholic or flavored beers. In these cases, fermentation may have been limited or stopped early, or extra flavorings and sweeteners may have been added.