Beer is known to many people on different diets as liquid carbs. A typical can of beer may contain between 7 and 14 grams of carbs. If you're on the keto diet or a similar low carb diet, you may have to cut beer from your food intake. Most of the best low carb meal plans don't include beer in their weekly menu.
Fortunately, if you do get a craving for beer, there are plenty of light, low-carb options that you can enjoy occasionally. A low carb beer has 5 grams or less of carbs per serving.
Light beer or low carb beer used to be every beer-drinkers nightmare. Now, many brands these days have tasty light beer options so you don't feel like you're losing out on something. Usually, you can look at the nutrition facts on your beer can to find the number of carbohydrates.
Your best bet is to go with "light" beers, and these are easy to find at your local grocery store or liquor store. Here's a list of the lowest carb beers that you can enjoy on keto.
Our Top List of the Lowest Carb Beers
Lakefront Brewery Eazy Teazy Ale
This Lakefront Brewery ale has 5.85 G of carbs and 99 calories per 12 oz serving. It has a complex range of flavor notes and aroma due to the fact that it is brewed with oolong and green teas as well as lemon drop hops. It's a super light and easy-to-drink beer that you can enjoy on a hot summer day.
Four Peaks Brut IPA
Four Peaks Brut IPA has 5 grams of carbs and 152 calories per 12 oz serving. It has a flavor profile of a light, fruity champagne that's mixed with melon and berries. It has a crisp finish as well, like a white wine that slants towards hoppy.
BrewDog Vagabond Pale Ale
At 150 calories per 12 oz and 5 grams of carbs, this pale ale is low-carb and low-calorie as well as gluten-free. It's known for its happiness and caramel sweetness as well as flavors of tropical fruits.
Allagash Brewing Co. Saison
This light beer comes in at 183 calories and 4.8 grams of carbs. It's full of flavor with notes of pepper and citrus and a settle hop. It's very carbonated and crisp, which is expected for the style of this Belgian beer.
Deschutes Brewery Da Shootz! Pilsner
This pilsner has 99 calories and 4.2 grams of carbs. It has a toasty and citrusy flavor with just the right amount of bubbliness to enjoy at a social gathering.
Kona Brewing Co. Kahana Blonde Ale
Kahana blonde ale is meant to give you remnants of Hawaii. It has 99 calories per serving and 4 grams of carbs. It has a smooth, bright, and light flavor combined with real mango. It'll make you feel relaxed and carefree on any sunny day.
Ommegang Brut IPA
This beer is perfect for people who enjoy the crisp and dry flavors of a brut IPA. It has 140 calories, 6.3% ABV, and 3.9 grams of carbs per serving. It's a perfect cross between beer and champagne and has great flavor for a light beer.
Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty IPA
Coming from Dogfish Head, you know that a beer is going to be unique and flavorful. This low-cal IPA comes in at calories: 95 and 3.6 grams of carbs per 12 oz serving. It's one of the best low-carb beers for people who want something that is refreshing and tropical while being a mix between bitter and sweet.
Shiner Ruby Redbird Lager
Shiner's Ruby Redbird has the wonderful fruity and tart flavor of a grapefruit as well as 95 calories and 3.1 grams of carbs. It's a perfect kick on a hot day or to wash down a plate of chicken wings.
Lagunitas DayTime IPA
Lagunitas has all of the classic bitterness and balance that makes an IPA beverage your favorite. It has 98 calories and 3 grams of carbs, making it one of the truest low-carb beers you can find. It has heavy aroma and flavor without the usual high calorie and carbs that come with similarly hoppy beers.
Michelob Ultra
This is one of the most popular beers with lowest carbs because it has 2.6 grams of carbs, 95 calories, and ABV 4.2. It's an easy to find option with plenty of unique flavors that you can find when you want to switch things up every once in awhile.
Corona Premier
For Corona lovers, Corona Premier is a classic pick that pairs well with a day at the beach, a picnic, or a barbecue. It has the classic Corona flavor but only 90 calories and 2.6 grams of carbs. Add a lime for a refreshing daytime drink.
Devil’s Backbone Brewing Co. Bright Tangerine Sparkling Ale
Possibly the lowest carb beer on this list, Devil's Backbone Bright Tangerine Sparkling Ale has only 2 grams of carbs and 90 calories. It's like drinking a mix between a beer and a spritz, as it is very bubbly and refreshing and has a burst of fruity flavor. This brand also carries a similar Bright Pineapple Sparkling Ale.
Corona Light
Corona Light has slightly more carbs than Corona premier, but it's still a low-carb option and a refreshing beer. It has 99 calories and 5 grams of carbs. Another favorite for Corona lovers.
Coors Light
Coming in at 5 grams of carbs as well, Coors Light is another classic with an alcohol content of ABV 4.2%, 102 calories, and quality ingredients. According to fans, it has a light and sweet flavor profile.
Budweiser Select 55
This Light Budweiser has 1.9 grams of cards 2.4% ABV and 55 calories. It's lighter than a Bud Light and it has settle hop with a toasted malt aroma of toasted. It's one of the best low carb beers for your keto grocery list.
Michelob Ultra Pure Gold
Pure Gold has a slightly better nutrition profile than the other Michelob Ultra. It has similar flavors but comes in at 2.5 grams of carbs and a calorie count of 85. The Alcohol By Volume is 3.8%. However, being keto means that alcohol will hit you a little harder once you're in ketosis. So, you don't really want to drink a high volume of alcohol.
Miller Lite
Miller is one of the original low calorie beers and the standard Miller Lite has a carb count of 3.2 grams, 4.2% ABV, and 96 calories. The company brews it with their signature blend of hops, purely filtered water, rice, and barley. There is also an even lower version of this craft beer called Miller64 with 64 calories and 2.4 grams of carbs.
Yuengling Flight
The brand has a regular Yuengling Light Lager, but a bottle of Flight has only 95 calories, 4.2% ABV, and 2.6 grams of carbs. The brew pairs well with poultry, seafood, and salad because of its super light taste.
Amstel Light
Amstel Light is a low carb beer from the Netherlands known for its grainy and dry taste and mild bitterness. It has about 5 grams of carbs and 95 calories with an alcohol content of 3.5% ABV. It's refreshing and light on your palate.
Michelob Ultra Amber
For people who like the appearance and experience of beers that are decadent, you'll get that with Michelob Ultra Amber's beautiful color and flavor. As the box says, it is a superior light beer with only 95 calories and 3 grams of carbs.
Natural Light
As the name suggests, Natural Light has a clean, crisp, and watery flavor. It has 3.2 grams of carbs per can and 4.2% ABV. There are also Natural Light Seltzers in different flavors such as kiwi and strawberry for when you want a hint of flavor.
Alcohol on Keto
If you're curious about other forms of alcohol, you'll be happy to know that you can drink on keto for special occasions. Naturally, you want to avoid alcoholic drinks with a high sugar content.
In addition to the keto-friendly light beers listed above, other things you may enjoy that are not high in carbs include:
Many people on keto choose to drink wine instead of beer because wine is usually lower in carbs than even a light beer. Pure spirits, of course, contain zero carbs. So, they're a great option for carb-free drinking.
Remember that people on keto get intoxicated much quicker then people on many other diets. The first time you drink on your keto diet, start with only half as many drinks as you usually have. It is possible that you will have worse hangovers when you are on a keto diet. On the bright side, you can save money at the bar when you drink beers and other beverages on keto.
FAQ
Fortunatley, there are many low carb beers out there for beer lovers. Some of the beers with the least amount of carbs include Corona Premier, Michelbob Ultra, Corona Light, and Devil’s Backbone Brewing Co. Bright Tangerine Sparkling Ale. Check the nutrition label on your beers to make sure you have the best option fro your diet.
A light beer will typical have the lowest carbs and calorie counts. If you are reducing your carb intake for weight loss purposes, consider beers such as Sam Adams Light, Miller 64, Budweiser Select 55, Anheuser Busch, Corona Premier, and Heineken Light.
The Corona Premier is a smooth and light product with only 2.6 grams of carbs. This variety is a much better choice to quench your thirst than the original Corona Extra beers, which contain 13.2 grams of carbs.
Molson Ultra is one of Canada's lowest-carb light beers with 2.5g carbs, 97 calories, and an alcohol content of 4.5% ABV.
Final Thoughts - Low Carb Beers
As you get used to a lifestyle change, it's good to know that you don't have to completely give up beer. While you don't want to drink one every day, you can enjoy a sip occasionally from a light beer with a low carb count.
Many nutritionists agree that 5g carbs is a reasonable goal if you're watching your intake when it comes to alcohol. The label "light beer" does not automatically mean it will have less than 5 carbs. Light beer simply means that the product has at least 1/3 fewer calories than the regular version of the product.
Therefore, even beers labeled as light will vary in their amount of carbs and calories. It's important to make the decision for yourself and be open to trying new options. Light beer has the same alcohol content average as regular beer, which is about 4.2% ABV.
There are plenty of breweries in the United States that are hopping on the train of keeping carb counts down in popular products. So, you don't have to feel left out of summer barbecues or gatherings with friends. As you browse the shelves for a new beer, keep an eye on the amount of carbs and sugars in each can. Moderation is the key to reaching your weight loss goals.