Best Low Calorie Beer (Updated | May 3rd)

I recently tried the Athletic Lite from Athletic Brewing, and it’s a game changer if you want to stay social without the morning-after fog. It’s brewed with rice and malt, giving it a surprisingly crisp, classic lager feel that doesn’t taste like ‘sad water’ like some other options.

This is the perfect brew for the person who loves a post-hike refreshment or wants to crush a few cans at a BBQ while staying sharp for the drive home. It hits that low carb sweet spot while maintaining a medium body that feels substantial in your hand.

You’re getting simple, natural ingredients like malted barley and wheat, which really helps it mimic a traditional craft beer profile. However, if you are a die-hard fan of heavy, resinous West Coast IPAs, you might find this a bit too light and mellow for your palate.

It’s definitely designed for easy drinking rather than being a complex flavor bomb, so keep that in mind before stocking up.

If your main goal is cutting calories to the absolute minimum, Partake is pretty much the gold standard. We are talking about a beer that somehow clocks in at only 10 to 25 calories per can.

I’d recommend this variety pack to anyone on a strict keto or fitness plan because it has zero grams of carbs in the IPA version, which is almost unheard of. It’s vegan and gluten-friendly, making it a safe bet for groups with diverse dietary needs.

The IPA specifically has some nice citrusy notes and a punch of hops that makes it feel like a real treat. The downside you need to be aware of is the thin body; because it lacks the sugars and carbs of regular beer, it can feel a bit watery on the finish.

It doesn’t have that lingering, syrupy weight of a standard brew, but for the calorie count, it’s a trade-off many are willing to make.

If you are trying to cut back on calories but genuinely love the punchy, bitter profile of a traditional IPA, the Run Wild IPA from Athletic Brewing is a total game changer. I usually find low-calorie or non-alcoholic options taste like flavored water, but this uses a proprietary brewing process that keeps the body surprisingly full.

It is brewed with malted barley, hops, and wheat, giving it that classic craft feel without the heavy alcohol hit or the morning-after fog. It is the perfect choice for someone who wants to stay social at a BBQ or finish a long hike with a cold one while keeping their fitness goals on track.

You get all the authentic, full-bodied flavor of a premium craft beer, which is rare in this category. The only real catch is the malt profile; while it is great for an IPA, it can lean a bit sweet on the finish compared to a dry West Coast style, which might bother purists.

For the person who gets bored drinking the same thing every night, this Best Day Brewing Variety Pack is the ultimate solution. It is a curated mix that includes everything from a crisp Kölsch to a juicy Hazy IPA, and even a unique Electro-Lime for those hot afternoons.

What stands out here is the commitment to being low carb and low calorie without sacrificing the ritual of ‘cracking a beer.’ These are made with non-GMO, vegan ingredients, so they feel a lot cleaner than some of the mass-produced light beers you find at the grocery store. It is ideal for hosting because there is a style for everyone, whether they like tropical notes or bold, bitter hops.

However, because it is a rotating mix, you might fall in love with a limited-edition style only to find it replaced in your next box, which can be a bit of a letdown if you have a favorite.

If you’re trying to stay in a caloric deficit but still crave that hoppy bite, this is honestly a game-changer. I was skeptical about a beer having only 10 calories and 0g of carbs, but Partake managed to pack a surprising amount of citrusy personality into this can.

It pours a clear, brilliant gold and hits you with those classic grapefruit and floral notes you’d expect from a standard IPA. It’s the perfect choice for someone who wants to participate in the social aspect of drinking without the sugar or alcohol fog.

Because it’s vegan and gluten-friendly, it’s a very safe bet for group hangouts where people have different dietary needs. The main catch is the texture; since there are no sugars or heavy malts, the body is very thin and watery.

It doesn’t have that creamy mouthfeel of a traditional craft beer, finishing instead with a very sharp, dry grapefruit pith bitterness that might be a bit too intense for some.

Athletic Brewing has basically become the gold standard for a reason, and their Hazy IPA shows why. Unlike many low-calorie options that feel like hop-flavored water, this actually feels like a full-bodied craft beer in your hand.

It uses a proprietary brewing process that keeps the malt character intact, making it the best pick for someone who truly misses the ‘chewiness’ of a real IPA. It’s brewed with simple ingredients like wheat and barley, which gives it that cloudy look and satisfying texture that pairs perfectly with a Friday night pizza.

It’s designed for the active lifestyle, so you can crush one after a hike without feeling weighed down. However, the trade-off for that better flavor and mouthfeel is the calorie count; it is significantly higher in calories and carbs compared to the ultra-light competitors.

If you are strictly counting every single calorie, this might feel a bit more like a ‘cheat’ than a freebie.

If you are looking for that classic, reliable domestic brew that defines a backyard barbecue, this is the one. I love how it stays true to its identity as a light-bodied lager without trying to be something it isn’t.

When you crack open a cold can, you get that immediate hit of Rocky Mountain refreshment that feels incredibly crisp on a hot day. It sits right at 102 calories and 5g of carbs, making it a solid choice if you want to have a few with friends without feeling weighed down.

The flavor profile is very approachable with a subtle malty note and almost zero bitterness, which is exactly why it’s a staple for casual drinkers. You should buy this if you value consistency and a clean finish over complex hop profiles.

However, the real downside is that it can feel a bit watery or thin if it isn’t ice cold, so you really have to keep these chilled to enjoy the flavor.

For those times when you want the ritual of a craft beer without the alcohol or the heavy calorie count, Go Brewing is doing something special. Their Sunbeam Pils is a small-batch non-alcoholic brew that actually tastes like a real beer.

What stands out immediately is the floral and herbal aroma coming from the Hallertau Mittelfrüh hops, giving it a much more sophisticated profile than your average light beer. It is designed for a mindful lifestyle, offering a clean finish that doesn’t leave that sugary aftertaste common in other NA brands.

I really appreciate the Born-On-Date on every can, which ensures you are getting peak freshness. This is perfect for the person who loves a premium pilsner taste but wants to stay sharp and active.

The one catch is that because it is a craft non-alcoholic product, it lacks the ‘bite’ or mouthfeel that only real ethanol provides, which might leave some traditional beer drinkers wanting more.

If you are trying to cut back on alcohol but still crave that classic West Coast hop profile, this IPA from Best Day Brewing is a total game changer. I was skeptical at first, but the Cascade hops really shine through, offering those bright citrus notes and that specific piney bitterness you expect from a standard craft beer.

It feels like a real treat after a long hike or a midweek workout when you want the ritual of opening a cold one without the brain fog the next morning. It is low calorie and low carb, making it perfect for anyone watching their macros while still wanting a drink that actually tastes like something.

The body is surprisingly full for an NA beer, though I did notice a slightly thinner mouthfeel on the finish compared to a high-ABV IPA. It is the ideal pick for the designated driver or the fitness enthusiast who refuses to settle for a bland, watery light beer.