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The Best Beer to Drink When on a Diet

friends toasting with beer glasses in the microbrewery

izusek Getty Images

If you're searching for the perfect light beer to bring to summer barbecues, Super Bowl parties and your sofa after a long day, you're not alone. Light lagers are the most popular beers in the U.S., making up 42.6% of all beers sold in the country, according to the Beverage Information and Insights Group. "In general, we have seen a shift among craft beer drinkers to more 'mindful' drinking choices," says Bart Watson, chief economist at the Brewers Association. "This isn't limited to low-calorie, but also includes organic, local ingredients and other characteristics like low/no alcohol, gluten-free and lower carb."

But what exactly goes into creating an easy-to-drink brew that isn't loaded with calories? A low-calorie beer is created when the brewer adds fewer higher-calorie ingredients and more water. "Some major brands that invest heavily in their light beer brands undoubtedly have process variations — some likely proprietary — that are used to reduce calories," says Chuck Skypeck, technical brewing projects manager at the Brewers Association. "For example, they may produce highly fermentable wort that reduces carbohydrates, and then dilute the resulting alcohol content with water."

The U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau, which regulates alcoholic beverages, defines light beers as those that contain significantly fewer calories than regular versions, but there really are no guidelines for the exact number of calories allowed in a light brew. In general, most regular beers have about 150 calories per 12-ounce serving and an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 4%. One gram of alcohol contains about 7 calories so you'll find that many (but not all) lower-calorie beers are also lower in alcohol.

It's also important to note that any beer that's advertised as "light" must have packaging that states the number of calories, carbohydrates, grams of protein and grams of fat that are in a serving — even if that info is hidden on the bottom of the cardboard that holds a six-pack together. To make things a little easier, we did the research for you and all the beers on this list contain 126 calories or less and have an ABV of at least 3.0%. That means you won't have to sacrifice your buzz in the name of fewer calories. Unless otherwise noted, these brews are also available nationwide. Cheers!

Pure Gold

Michelob Ultra drizly.com

Calories: 85

Carbs: 2.5g

ABV: 3.8%

Michelob Ultra Pure Gold has the fewest calories of any beer on this list, but the refreshing taste means you can drink it and still feel like you're enjoying a beer — because you are. It's also USDA certified organic and free of artificial colors and flavors.

Premier

Corona drizly.com

Calories: 90

Carbs: 2.6g

ABV: 4.0%

Corona Premier is similar to the Corona you already love, but contains fewer calories and carbs. It has a light, crisp, refreshing taste that goes especially well with seafood.

Slightly Mighty Lo-Cal IPA

Dogfish Head drizly.com

Calories: 95

Carbs: 3.6g

ABV: 4.0%

Dogfish Head is known for flavorful beers and thanks to monk fruit, this low-calorie brew delivers the punch of a traditional IPA without the extra calories.

Superior Light Beer

Michelob Ultra drizly.com

Calories: 95

Carbs: 2.6g

ABV: 4.2%

Also brewed without artificial colors or flavors, Michelob Ultra has a light malty taste and subtle citrus aroma.

Light Lager

Natural Light drizly.com

Calories: 95

Carbs: 3.2g

ABV: 4.2%

Natural Light is an American-style light lager. It tastes like beer, but has a light feel. It doesn't hurt that it's also fairly inexpensive, making it a popular party pick.

Flyjack Hazy IPA

Firestone drizly.com

Calories: 96

Carbs: 4g

ABV: 4%

Some regular IPAs can be pretty heavy, but Flyjack is super light and still flavorful.

Lite Lager

Miller drizly.com

Calories: 96

Carbs: 3.2g

ABV: 4.2%

Miller Lite is a classic low-calorie before for a reason — it delivers a clean, crisp taste without being watery.

So-Lo IPA

Goose Island drizly.com

Calories: 98

Carbs: 9g

ABV: 3.0%

If you're looking for the flavor of an IPA without all the calories, this is your answer. So-Lo has a bright citrus and herbal aroma with a balanced bitter hoppy taste

DayTime IPA

Lagunitas drizly.com

Calories: 98

Carbs: 3g

ABV: 4.0%

Easy to drink and hop-forward in taste, Daytime is great for an afternoon get together. Plus, it smells of passion fruit, mango, citrus and cedar.

Light Blonde Ale

Kona Brewing Co. drizly.com

Calories: 99

Carbs: 4g

ABV: 4.2%

Founded in Hawaii, Kona Brewing Co refers to all its beers as "liquid aloha." This lower-calorie option goes especially well with grilled seafood.

Ultimate Light Golden Ale

Omission drizly.com

Calories: 99

Carbs: 3g

ABV: 4.2%

Most beers naturally contain gluten, but Omission's are specially brewed to have less than 20 ppm (parts per million), which is the legal standard for gluten-free food in the United States.

Light Lager

Yuengling drizly.com

Calories: 99

Carbs: 3.2g

ABV: 3.8%

Brewed to retain the slightly malty flavor of its full-calorie cousin, Yeungling Light Lager has a crisp flavor that goes with anything from nuts to turkey.

Light Beer

Corona drizly.com

Calories:99

Carbs: 5g

ABV: 3.9%

With a fruity honey aroma and twice the hops of many light beers, this pilsner is refreshing. The crisp taste of Corona Light also makes it a perfect beverage to go with spicy or citrus-infused foods.

Light

Heineken drizly.com

Calories: 99

Carbs: 7g

ABV: 3.3%

Heineken Light maintains the flavors we've come to know in the original — clean, fruity and sweet with subtle bitterness — with a lighter feel and fewer calories.

Sparkling Session Ale with Blackcurrants

Little Grove by Allagash drizly.com

Calories: 100

Carbs: 7g

ABV: 3.8%

This sparkling ale has a refreshingly tart and fruity flavor. The brand also sells an "apples and cranberry" version as well as a "peach and kombucha" one. Allagash beers are available in 19 states and Washington, D.C..

Light

Tecate drizly.com

Calories: 106

Carbs: 7g

ABV:3.9%

Originated in Mexico, Tecate Light has a bit of a citrus aroma and flavor with a smooth bitterness.

Light Hearted Ale Lo-Cal IPA

Bell's drizly.com

Calories: 110

Carbs: 8.7g

ABV: 3.7%

You might be more familiar with Bell's Two Hearted Ale, but if you're looking for fewer calories, Light Hearted has you covered with aromas of citrus and pine and a little malt in the flavor. Bell's beers are currently available in 42 states.

Premium Light

Sapporo drizly.com

Calories: 110

Carbs: 8.5g

ABV: 3.9%

Most people are used to drinking the Sapporo brand of beer when they go to Japanese restaurants, but Sapporo Premium Light is versatile and easy to drink with any type of food.

Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Beer

Guinness drizly.com

Calories: 114

Carbs: 8.5g

ABV: 4%

Regular Guinness is known to have a chocolatey almost-coffee flavor so it makes sense for the beer brand to sell a coffee-flavored version. It just happens to also be low in calories!

Light Lime

Budweiser drizly.com

Calories: 116

Carbs: 8g

ABV: 4.2%

Bud Light has long been a favorite low-calorie beer. The refreshing lime flavor in this version turns any casual drink into a party.

Framboise Rose Gose

Anderson Valley drizly.com

Calories: 120

Carbs: 8g

ABV: 4.2%

Made with rosehips and raspberry puree, this complex brew was born in Boonville, California, but is now available in 39 states.

Draught Stout

Guinness drizly.com

Calories: 126

Carbs: 9.6g

ABV: 4.2%

You may be surprised to find out that such a rich-tasting beer is actually low in calories. With Guinness Draught, you'll get the traditional sweet aroma, creamy mouth feel and chocolatey flavor.

River Trip

Allagash drizly.com

Calories: 170 calories per 16-ounce can (126 calories per 12-ounce pour)

Carbs:7.9g

ABV:4.6%

This Belgian-style beer is hoppy with flavors of grapefruit and stone fruit. Coriander gives it a hint of citrus. Allagash beers are available in 19 states and Washington, D.C..

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Don't forget to save this list the next time you're in the mood for a guilt-free brewski.

Sr. Editor Kaitlyn started her career as a reporter in the research department at Real Simple and went on to become a health editor at Family Circle before joining the Hearst team.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

The Best Beer to Drink When on a Diet

Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/g30647151/lowest-calorie-beer/