The 12 best non-alcoholic and low-carb beers
These alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are low in carbs but don’t taste watered down and won’t spike blood glucose.
If you’re trying to eat carbohydrates in a healthy way, or are on a low-carb diet, chances are you’ve already cut back on refined grains and desserts high in added sugars. These are smart steps, but are you overlooking liquid carbs, like beer? That cold, easy-drinking brew can contain almost as many carbs as a slice of white bread, with 12 grams of carbohydrates per 12-ounce pour.
What’s more, excessive alcohol use can take a toll on metabolic health by promoting inflammation and insulin resistance. It can also raise the risk for conditions like heart disease and cancer.
But you can still drink beer in a way that’s better for metabolic health. Fortunately, the market has exploded with non-alcoholic and low-carb beer options from both mainstream and craft brewers. According to one industry estimate, sales for non-alcoholic beers rose from $18 to $21 million over the past five years. Gone are the days of watered-down light beers; now, you can raise a glass to the shelves full of delicious options that are less harmful to your metabolic health.
Read on to learn how you can spot a better-for-you brew, plus 12 of the best low-carb beers we’ve sampled.
What to Look for in a Low-Carb Beer
Beer is typically made from four main ingredients: water, hops, malt, and yeast. Hops are a flower that adds that bitter flavor, while malt is short for a malted grain. The majority of beer’s carbs come from this grain, which is typically barley or wheat. During the brewing process, yeast ferments the malt, hop, and water mixture to create an alcoholic beer.
Creating a low-carb beer involves chemistry. Adding certain enzymes can further break down the malt’s carbs into simple sugars. During fermentation, yeast turns these sugars into alcohol or carbonation.
But not all low-carb beers are the best for your metabolic health. Consider the following guidelines when shopping for a brew.
1. Don’t rely on the packaging. “Light” doesn’t necessarily mean low-carb or low-calorie. According to the FDA, light products are those that contain at least one-third fewer calories than the regular version. But this guideline doesn’t apply to alcoholic beverages: For example, one “platinum light” beer contains only 8 fewer calories than its regular counterpart.
A “low-carb” label is a better bet, to a degree. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau rules that products with this claim contain no more than 7 grams of carbs per serving. However, some low-carb beers contain 2 grams of carbs or less, while others clock in with 6 grams. To avoid excess carbs, examine the carb content on the nutrition facts label.
2. Review the alcohol content. Research shows that the alcohol in low-carb beers affects the body at the same rate as the alcohol in regular beers. Most brews contain 5 to 6 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), which means that 5 to 6 percent of the drink is alcohol. Non-alcoholic beers can contain up to 0.5 percent ABV, while alcohol-free beverages don’t have any alcohol at all.
3. If you’re choosing non-alcoholic or low-alcohol beer, look for low-carb versions. There are different ways to brew a non-alcoholic beverage: Some companies stop the fermentation process early, while others distill the beer to remove the alcohol. Neither process affects the carb content. Some alcohol-free beers may contain as much as 28 grams of carbs per 12-ounce serving. When shopping for a non-alcoholic brew, be sure to pick one that’s also low in carbs.
4. Keep tabs on the serving size. The standard serving of a 5% ABV beer is 12 ounces. Although some research recommends no alcohol consumption for maximum health benefit other studies suggest that light to moderate alcohol consumption may have a mildly protective effect on metabolic health. A moderate amount of alcohol is no more than one drink a day for women and two drinks or less daily for men. As a rule, if you choose to drink alcohol, doing so in moderation is best.
12 Low-Carb Beers to Try
Thanks to the growing popularity of low-carb beers, there’s no shortage of options. But some taste watered down, while others are surprisingly high in carbs. The following brews will quench your thirst without wreaking havoc on your blood sugar.
Kona Light Blonde Ale
With only 4 grams of carbs per serving, this light beer has a summery, refreshing taste year-round. It’s made with pale and caramel malts and features hints of mango.
Per serving (12 fluid ounces): 99 calories, 4 g carbs, 4.2% alcohol content.
Price: $9.99* for six bottles
Blue Moon LightSky Citrus Wheat
This classic wheat beer gets a low-carb makeover, with only 3.6 grams per can. It’s brewed with tangerine peel for a citrusy punch. There’s also a fruity tropical version made with orange and pineapple.
Per serving (12 fluid ounces): 95 calories, 3.6 g carbs, 4% alcohol content.
Price: $18.99 for 12 cans
Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty Lo-Cal IPA
This hoppy beer is brewed with monk fruit to add sweetness and complexity without extra calories or carbs.
Per serving (12 fluid ounces): 95 calories, 3.6 g carbs, 4% alcohol content.
Price: $20.99 for 12 cans
Shiner Ruby Redbird
This Texas brewery infuses this lightly malty lager with ginger and red grapefruit for a spicy kick.
Per serving (12 fluid ounces): 95 calories, 3.1 g carbs, 4% alcohol content.
Price: $9.99 for six bottles
Lagunitas DayTime
Beer enthusiasts give this light IPA an 88/100 score, praising its citrusy, hoppy flavor profile and fizzy, medium-bodied mouthfeel.
Per serving (12 fluid ounces): 98 calories, 3 g carbs, 4.0% alcohol content.
Price: $10.99 for 6cans
Corona Premier
If you’re a fan of the classic Mexican lager beer, you’ll enjoy this low-carb version. With only 2.6 grams of carbs per bottle, it has half the carbs of the light version. Add a squeeze of lime, and you can easily mistake it for the original, which has 11 more grams of carbs.
Per serving (12 fluid ounces): 90 calories, 2.6 g carbs, 4.0% alcohol content.
Price: $17.99 for 12 bottles
Michelob Ultra Pure Gold
Made by the company who created one of the first low-carb beers, this version is the first USDA-certified organic beer that’s available nationwide.
Per serving (12 fluid ounces): 85 calories, 2.5 g carbs, 3.8% alcohol content.
Price: $9.99 for six bottles
Budweiser Select 55
This golden lager is the lowest-carb of the bunch, which only 1.9 grams and 55 calories. If you’re in need of something fuller-bodied, choose Budweiser Select, which has 99 calories and 3.1 grams of carbs.
Per serving (12 fluid ounces): 55 calories, 1.9 g carbs, 2.4% alcohol content.
Price: $28.99 for 30 cans
Want a non-alcohol, low-carb beverage?
Partake Pale
This low-cal, malty pale ale has notes of orange and pine—plus a relatively low carb count, with 4 grams of carbs and zero alcohol.
Per serving (12 fluid ounces): 10 calories, 5 g carbs, <0.5% alcohol content.
Price: $27.99 for 12 cans
Surreal Brewing Company Natural Bridges Kölsch Style
Kölsch beers are a blend of lager and ale brewing styles, resulting in a light, crisp-tasting brew with a clean finish. This Kölsch has a malty flavor with notes of honeydew. (While this isn’t a gluten-free beer, it is gluten-reduced, with 20 parts per million.)
Per serving (12 fluid ounces): 17 calories, 2.8 g carbs, <0.5% alcohol content.
Price: $25.98 for 12 cans
Athletic Brewing Co Lite
This classic light beer is low-carb and non-alcoholic—and it won a gold medal at the World Beer Awards.
Per serving (12 fluid ounces): 25 calories, 5 g carbs, < 0.5% alcohol content.
Price: $11.99 for six cans
Brewdog Non-Alcoholic Punk AF
This hoppy craft beer is brewed with monk fruit, so it has slightly sweet notes of tropical fruit and pine for only 2.3 grams of carbs.
Per serving (12 fluid ounces): 20 calories, 2.3 g carbs, <0.5% alcohol content. Price: $10.39 for six cans
*The prices in this article reflect those listed by the retailer at the time of publication. Prices and local store availability may vary.
Levels has no affiliation or sponsorship with any food brand mentioned here or elsewhere, and we receive no revenue if you buy through any of these links.
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**See how low-carb beer affects your metabolic health
The best way to understand how alcohol and low-carb drinks like these can impact your blood sugar is with a continuous glucose monitor and an app like Levels to help you understand your data. Levels members get access to the most advanced CGMs and personalized guidance to build healthy, sustainable habits. Click here to learn more about Levels.
