Who Has the Lowest Calorie Beer? A Guide to the Lightest Brews

November 30, 2025 •

4 min read

The market for low-calorie beer is highly competitive, with some brands pushing calorie counts to historic lows. For example, Budweiser Select 55 boasts just 55 calories per bottle, making it one of the top contenders for who has the lowest calorie beer. But what are the other options, and how do they compare in taste?

Quick Summary

This guide reveals the beers with the fewest calories, covering ultra-light lagers, popular mainstays, and non-alcoholic brews. It examines how brewers achieve low-calorie formulas and compares options based on flavor, ABV, and carbohydrate content.

Key Points

Budweiser Select 55: Offers the lowest calorie count for an alcoholic beer, with only 55 calories per 12 oz serving.
Athletic Lite: This non-alcoholic session ale provides an impressively low 25 calories per serving, making it the lightest brew overall.
Source of Calories: Calories in beer come primarily from alcohol and carbohydrates, which brewers reduce to create lighter options.
Taste vs. Calories: As calorie count decreases, especially with lower ABV, the beer's flavor profile may become less robust, offering a crisper, lighter taste.
Organic Option: Michelob Ultra Pure Gold is an excellent organic choice, with 85 calories and a balanced flavor.
Craft Alternatives: Brands like Dogfish Head offer low-calorie craft IPAs that don't compromise on hoppy flavor.
Popular Middle Ground: Many widely available light beers, like Michelob Ultra and Corona Premier, offer a good balance of flavor and low calories (90-95 kcal).

The Science Behind Low-Calorie Beer

To understand who has the lowest calorie beer, it's essential to know where beer calories come from. In simple terms, the two main sources are alcohol and carbohydrates. Brewers reduce the calorie count by manipulating these components. Lowering the alcohol by volume (ABV) naturally decreases calories, as alcohol is a significant source of energy. Similarly, by using special enzymes during the brewing process, they can convert nearly all the starches into fermentable sugars, which are then consumed by the yeast, resulting in fewer residual carbs and a lighter body.

Ultra-Light Choices (Under 70 Calories)

For those seeking the absolute minimum calorie intake, a few brands stand out. These beers typically have a very low ABV and a crisp, clean finish, though some may find the flavor less robust than traditional light beers.

Budweiser Select 55: Holding the top spot for minimal calories, this golden lager contains just 55 calories per 12 oz serving. It has a very low 2.4% ABV and is brewed with caramel malts and a blend of domestic and imported hops. The result is a smooth, remarkably light, and refreshing finish.
Miller 64 Extra Light: Coming in at a close second, Miller 64 offers 64 calories per 12 oz bottle with 2.8% ABV. It's designed for sessionability and boasts a fresh, crisp flavor, making it a popular choice for those mindful of their diet.
Molson Ultra: This light Canadian option provides a slightly higher but still very low 70 calories per serving and a 3% ABV. It aims to strike a balance between flavor and a minimal calorie count.

Popular Light Options (70-100 Calories)

In this category, drinkers can often find a more satisfying balance between flavor and caloric intake. These are some of the most widely available and recognizable light beers.

Corona Premier: With 90 calories per 12 oz bottle, Corona Premier offers a crisp taste with subtle citrus notes and 4.0% ABV. It's an excellent choice for a refreshing, full-flavored light lager.
Michelob Ultra: A household name in the low-calorie category, Michelob Ultra contains 95 calories and 2.6g of carbs per 12 oz serving, along with a 4.2% ABV. It is known for its crisp, light malt flavor and refreshing finish.
Michelob Ultra Pure Gold: For those who prefer an organic option, Pure Gold has 85 calories and 2.5g of carbs per serving, and 3.8% ABV. Brewed with organic grains, it offers a superior, golden taste.
Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty IPA: A great option for hop lovers, this IPA has 95 calories, 3.6g of carbs, and 4% ABV. It delivers fruity hops and a dry finish, showcasing that low-calorie options can still have complex flavors.

Non-Alcoholic Beers: The Ultimate Low-Calorie Choice

Non-alcoholic (NA) beers have grown significantly in popularity and offer some of the lowest calorie counts available, largely because they lack alcohol, a major source of calories.

Athletic Lite: This non-alcoholic session ale contains an impressively low 25 calories and 5g of carbs per 12 oz serving. It's crafted to be crisp, brisk, and clean, providing maximum refreshment without the hangover.
Heineken 0.0: A non-alcoholic option from a global brand, it contains 69 calories per 330ml bottle. It maintains a flavor profile similar to its alcoholic counterpart while providing a very low-calorie count.

Comparison of Popular Low-Calorie Beers


Brand	Calories (per 12 oz)	ABV	Carbs (per 12 oz)
Budweiser Select 55	55	2.4%	1.9g
Miller 64	64	2.8%	2.4g
Athletic Lite (NA)	25	<0.5%	5g
Michelob Ultra Pure Gold	85	3.8%	2.5g
Corona Premier	90	4.0%	2.6g
Michelob Ultra	95	4.2%	2.6g
Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty	95	4.0%	3.6g

Choosing the Best Low-Calorie Beer for You

Deciding on the best low-calorie beer involves balancing your health goals with your taste preferences. If your primary goal is to consume the absolute minimum number of calories, Budweiser Select 55 is the clear winner among alcoholic beers. However, if you are seeking a bit more flavor, you might consider stepping up to the 80-100 calorie range with options like Michelob Ultra or Corona Premier. These brands offer a more robust beer-drinking experience while still maintaining a significantly lower calorie count than regular beers.

Craft beer drinkers looking for low-calorie options no longer have to sacrifice flavor, with brands like Dogfish Head offering hoppy, low-calorie alternatives. Furthermore, for those who want to avoid alcohol altogether, non-alcoholic options like Athletic Lite provide an extremely low-calorie and refreshing beverage. It's all about finding the right balance that works for your personal lifestyle and preferences.

Conclusion

When evaluating who has the lowest calorie beer, Budweiser Select 55 is the top contender for an alcoholic option at just 55 calories. For non-alcoholic alternatives, Athletic Lite is exceptionally low with only 25 calories. The market offers a wide spectrum of choices, from ultra-light lagers to flavorful IPAs and non-alcoholic brews, allowing health-conscious consumers to enjoy a beer without compromising their dietary goals. Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual taste and the desired balance of calories, carbs, and flavor. For more information on healthier drinking habits, consult resources like the CDC's guidelines on moderate alcohol consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Budweiser Select 55 has the fewest calories for an alcoholic beer, containing just 55 calories per 12 oz serving and a 2.4% ABV.

No, while Michelob Ultra is a popular low-calorie option with 95 calories, Budweiser Select 55 and Miller 64 both have lower calorie counts.

Most beers marketed as 'light' have fewer calories than their regular counterparts, but the exact calorie count varies significantly between brands. Always check the nutritional information.

A 12 oz serving of Miller 64 contains 64 calories and 2.4g of carbohydrates.

Non-alcoholic beers typically have a very low calorie count, often fewer than 50 calories per serving. This is because a significant portion of a regular beer's calories comes from alcohol.

Yes, many low-calorie beers are designed to maintain good flavor. Craft brewers in particular are adapting techniques to produce flavorful IPAs and other styles at a lower calorie count.

Lower carbohydrates often lead to lower calories, but not always. Calories from alcohol also contribute significantly, so a low-carb beer must also have a low alcohol percentage to be truly low-calorie.