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Best Beer For Weight Loss: 11 Great Options

Best beer for weight loss

Getting into fitness doesn’t mean saying goodbye to your favorite drink for good. Our round-up of the best beer for weight loss will keep the joy in your life.

The term “beer belly” isn’t just a joke; it is a fitting description of what you get when you drink too much beer. Beer is delicious, but it is also full of carbs, sugars, and alcohol. These three things are what cause you to pack on the pounds when you drink beer.

If you are trying to watch your weight and make healthier choices, you don’t have to give up beer. You just need to make different beer choices.

Losing weight has health benefits that include reducing your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other long-term health conditions. For many people, this process means cutting out foods and beverages that bring happiness. This can diminish your quality of life and impact your mental health.

Many beer lovers that want to lose weight fear that they will be stuck drinking beer options like Bud Light, Busch, Miller Light, and even seltzers. In this article, we will give you some helpful information on how to select a beer that is compatible with weight loss. We will also suggest 11 beers that are low in carbohydrates and have fewer calories making them perfect options if you are watching your weight.

What To Look For In The Best Beer For Weight Loss

Best beer for weight loss
The easiest way to select a beer with low carbohydrates is to find one that is light in color and low in alcohol

Today there are lots of low-calorie, low-carb beers on the market. They aren’t all the same, however. Before you head to the store and pick the wrong beer, here is what you need to look for when shopping for the best weight-loss beer.

Taste

You don’t have to sacrifice taste just because you want a beer low in carbohydrates or calories. Sure, a while back, the only beers you could find that was weight friendly were bland, watered-down lagers. 

Today, there are great options in a range of styles. Sure, you can still get low-calorie, low-ABV, low-carb lagers like Coors Light. But if you want a great-tasting beer, look for a session IPA, pale ale, and even some low-alcohol content stouts like Guinness or fruit beers.

Calories

The reality is that too many calories are one of the causes of weight gain. Just because you are cutting calories doesn’t mean that you should sacrifice all that is amazing about beer. So, when looking for a good beer for meeting your weight loss goals, look for one of the many low-calorie options.

If you have a hard time finding a beer that is low in calories and tastes good, remember another way to reduce your calories from beer is to moderate your consumption. Instead of having two beers, have one, or enjoy beer during special occasions or only on the weekends. Moderating your calories from beer is one of the easiest ways to manage your weight loss program.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates, or carbs, are another culprit in weight gain. In beer, carbs are found in the sugars released during the mash and in the production of alcohol. So the easiest way to select a beer with low carbohydrates is to find one that is light in color and low in alcohol.

Many craft beers are not great options because they use unique malts and longer fermentation times. These two production features mean more sugars and more alcohol, but there are exceptions. There are numerous craft breweries that have great session beers with low carbs.

If you want to enjoy a beer with higher carbs while losing weight, remember that increasing your activity level can also help burn carbohydrates once they are in your body.

Price

When it comes to price, you will find that low-calorie, low-ABV, low-carb craft beer is generally more expensive. Macro-brewed beer options that are ideal for weight loss, like Michelob Ultra, are more affordable but are still more expensive than their “full-strength” counterparts. 

One thing to remember about these macro-brewed beers is that they tend to be light lagers. So, while they are more affordable, they are also less interesting when it comes to taste.

What’s the Healthiest Beer to Drink for Weight Loss?

Beer typically isn’t on the list of diet foods. Many diet plans recommend that you avoid alcoholic beverages completely. If you do want to enjoy a beer while reducing your weight, there are options, but you need to know how to pick the one that is best for you.

If you are not sure how to make beer fit in your weight loss program, a registered dietician or nutritionist can help you find good options that fit with your health goals. They can show you how to calorie count so you can enjoy a beer without derailing your weight loss goals.

Regular beer is full of carbohydrates. It is actually the most carb-heavy of the alcoholic beverage options. So, if you are working on cutting carbohydrates from your diet, focus your options on beers that are low in carbs.

Alcohol isn’t necessarily the culprit for weight gain. It does, however, slow your metabolism while also contributing to poor sleep and fatigue. Reduced activity because of high alcohol consumption can add to weight gain. 

If you are struggling with fatigue but not getting good sleep, look for beers that have a low ABV. These may not be low-carb or low-calorie beers, but if you sleep better and feel more motivated to be active, this will help with weight loss.

Knowing your weight loss goals and the cause of your weight gain is really important to find the best beer to enjoy while losing weight. You may also want to think about things like:

  • Keto diets are heavy on protein. If you are losing weight on a keto diet, you may want to only drink beer on your “splurge” days or “cheat” days.
  • Beer and other alcoholic beverages tend to inspire snacking. If you want a beer, enjoy it with a balanced meal so you are not tempted to snack on unhealthy foods.

Amstel Light

Amstel Light is considered a Euro pale lager. This refreshing and tasty lager is all the things I love about European beers, but with less guilt. This beer is flavorful and is a beautiful golden color. 

What is more attractive about this beer is that it only has 95 calories, five grams of carbs, and 3.5% ABV. This beer is a perfect option if you are looking to enjoy a beer while losing weight.

Pros

  • Available in most areas
  • Crisp and refreshing
  • Smooth with a low ABV

Cons

  • More expensive than other options
  • Has a sweet and fruity flavor  

Budweiser Select

Budweiser Select is one of the newer beers from this macro-brewer. It is also a great alternative to Bud Light. Using a recipe similar to the original Budweiser, Budweiser Select has a nice flavor and a deep golden color. 

It is brewed with two rows, caramel malts, and a blend of American and Bavarian hops. This beer is not bitter and tastes good. Budweiser Select is one of the lowest-calorie beers, as it only has 55 calories and two grams of carbs.

Pros

  • A refreshing beer for hot days
  • Doesn’t fill you up, but it is easy to drink
  • A great American style lager

Cons

  • Has a buttery-taste
  • Flavor is not as robust 

Beck’s Premier Light

The Germans have perfected beer brewing. So, it makes sense that one of the best low-calorie, low-carb beers would come from a German brewery. Beck’s Premier Light is a crisp and slightly sweet beer with a delicate bready flavor. 

There is no weird aftertaste with this beer, and it is a nice option for a hot day or for a post-workout treat. This beverage is one of the best options for weight loss as it has 3.9 grams of carbs, 64 calories, and only 2.3 % ABV. Not only is this beer refreshing, but you won’t feel guilty for enjoying one of these with your friends.

Pros

  • One of the lowest ABVs on the market
  • Very flavorful and refreshing
  • Full-bodied but not filling 

Cons

  • Not as easy to find
  • More expensive than other options 

Michelob Ultra

Michelob Ultra was one of the first extra light beers to hit the market. Building on the success of Michelob Light, Michelob Ultra boasts only 2.6 grams of carbs and 95 calories. 

For an American macro-brew, this beer is quite flavorful while also being refreshing and crisp. This beer is so popular as a fitness companion that many endurance events provide Michelob Ultra at the end of races and sporting events.

Pros

  • Easily located in most areas
  • Very affordable
  • Well carbonated 

Cons

  • This is a very basic beer
  • Flavor is a bit weak

Heineken Light

Heineken Light
You will enjoy Heineken Light as a good weight-loss beer option

If you like the sweet, fruity, and clean flavor of Heineken, then you will enjoy Heineken Light as a good weight-loss beer option. This beer seems lighter, leaving you less full than the original. It also contains only 99 calories and seven grams of carbs, so you won’t feel bad for having a weekend treat.

Pros

  • Not much difference from the original
  • Easy to enjoy European beer
  • Flavor is light, sweet, and fruity
  • Low ABV 

Cons

  • Not much body to the beer
  • More expensive than other low-calorie/carb beers

Corona Light

Corona Light is a standard for light beer drinkers. It also gives you the feeling of sitting on a tropical beach.

This light Mexican lager is refreshing and affordable. It has a crisp finish and a mild flavor profile. It also comes with only five grams of carbs and 99 calories, so you can still enjoy this beer while getting ready for swimsuit season.

Pros

  • Really easy to drink
  • A good low-calorie Mexican beer
  • Aroma has sweet and fruity notes 

Cons

  • Clear bottle exposes beer to UV light
  • Can have a funky flavor
  • More expensive than the original Corona

Sam Adams Light Lager

Sam Adams is our first weight loss beer that is from a brewery specializing in craft beer. The brewers at Sam Adams worked hard to create a light lager that was flavorful as the other beers but also perfect for those people looking for something with fewer calories and carbs. 

This session lager comes in at 4% ABV, eight grams of carbs, and just 116 calories. This beer is a great option for the health-conscious person that doesn’t want to sacrifice taste or quality.

Pros

  • No bitter aftertaste
  • Medium-bodied with a light amber color
  • Mild, malty flavors 

Cons

  • Higher carbs and calories than other options
  • More expensive
  • Hard to find in some areas

Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty

As a craft brewery, Dogfish Head is known for its uniquely flavored beers and dedication to high-quality products. The Slightly Mighty is a light IPA that features flavors of citrus, pineapple, and coconut. This IPA is brewed with monk fruit which reduces the sugar content of the beer. 

The monk fruit gives this beer a sweet finish that is unique and a surprising delight for an IPA. The Slightly Mighty hazy IPA is a fruity and refreshing option with only 3.6 grams of carbs, 95 calories, and just 3.5% ABV.

Pros

  • Nice balance of low-calories and low-carbs
  • Really low ABV
  • Great hazy IPA option
  • Fruity and sweet flavor is surprisingly tasty 

Cons

  • Can only be found in the US
  • Has a strange aftertaste 

Yuengling Lager Light

This beer is brewed in the United States and is actually one of the oldest beer brands in the country. The Yuengling light lager is a refreshing and tasty lager with only 99 calories, nine grams of carbs, and a very low 3.2% ABV.

This is a great beer for the health-focused person. You’ll enjoy a great-tasting beer without the added impact on your body.

Pros

  • Perfect example of a light lager
  • Refreshing and drinkable
  • Flavor notes of caramel, bread, and a bit of hoppy bitterness 

Cons

  • The aroma doesn’t match the flavor of the beer
  • Has a strange aftertaste

Kona Brewing Co. Light Blonde Ale

You cannot go wrong with a beer that is brewed on a tropical island. Kona Brewing Company’s Light Blonde ale is a perfect light beer option that is flavorful, crisp, and refreshing.

This beer goes perfectly with seafood, which is another great healthy option. The Light Blonde Ale has four grams of carbs and just 99 calories.

 Pros

  • Pairs perfectly with grilled fish and poultry
  • Very similar to the regular Blonde ale
  • Very flavorful for a low-calorie beer

Cons

  • Has flavor hints of mango, which isn’t for everyone
  • Not available in some locations 

Lagunitas DayTime IPA

Last but not least, our final beer is the session-able DayTime IPA from Lagunitas Brewing. This light and fruity IPA has flavor notes of lemongrass, melon, grape, and pineapple. This hop-forward beer is light and refreshing but isn’t so fruity that you are overwhelmed by the flavors. 

With just over 4% ABV, 98 calories, and just three grams of carbs, there is no regret in enjoying a DayTime IPA when you want a beer without the extra bulk.

Pros

  • Perfect summer IPA
  • Flavorful light beer
  • Low-carb

Cons

  • Not a “true” IPA
  • Lacks the hoppy profile of a good IPA

Testing Criteria

It was a tough assignment, but to find the 11 best beers for weight loss, we had to try the options for ourselves. We tested a wide range of low-calorie, low-carb beers looking for options that were better than seltzers and hard cider.

If you liked this post, you might also be interested in our guide on the best beer for weddings. You can also check out our best beer for cheese list.

Why You Can Trust Me

Beer is a great drink, and I’ve made a career out of helping people navigate the wide variety of beer options. My tastes in beer are varied, and I enjoy beers of all styles from all across the globe. I especially enjoy trying new beer styles and experimenting with beer as a cooking ingredient.