Best Beer For Calories (Updated | May 4th)

If you are trying to cut back on booze but still crave that specific piney, citrusy punch of a West Coast IPA, the Run Wild IPA is probably the closest you’ll get to the real thing. It doesn’t taste like watery juice; it has a legitimate body thanks to the malted barley and wheat blend.

I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to stay social at a BBQ or post-run without the fuzzy head the next morning. It sits at about 65 calories, which is significantly lower than a standard craft beer but still feels like a treat.

The proprietary brewing process keeps it from having that weird metallic aftertaste many non-alcoholic beers suffer from. However, because it’s a bit heavier than a light lager, it can feel a little too filling if you’re planning on having more than two or three in one sitting.

It’s definitely a craft-first experience for people who actually like the taste of hops.

Partake is the absolute king for anyone who is strictly counting macros or following a keto diet. It is wild that they managed to get a beer down to just 10 to 25 calories and zero grams of carbs while still making it taste like something other than flavored water.

This variety pack is perfect if you want to test the waters with different styles without committing to a full case of one flavor. It is vegan and gluten-friendly, making it a safe bet for almost any dietary restriction.

You should buy this if your primary goal is weight loss or staying in ketosis but you miss the ritual of cracking a cold one. The major trade-off here is the thin consistency; because there is almost no sugar or grain left in the final product, it lacks the ‘chew’ and weight of a traditional brew.

It’s very light and refreshing, but don’t expect a creamy head or a thick texture.

If you are strictly watching your intake, this is the holy grail of light drinking. I honestly don’t know how they pulled off an IPA with only 10 calories and 0g of carbs, but it makes every other light beer look heavy by comparison.

It pours a nice gold color and hits you with those classic grapefruit and floral notes you’d expect from a craft brew. It’s the perfect choice for someone who wants the ritual of a cold one after a workout or during a weeknight movie without any guilt.

Because it is so lean, the body is very light and effervescent, almost like a hop-flavored sparkling water rather than a thick, syrupy ale. It uses just four natural ingredients, keeping things vegan and non-GMO.

The only real catch is the mouthfeel; because there are zero carbs, it lacks that ‘chewy’ malt weight, leaving the finish feeling a bit thin and watery compared to a standard craft IPA.

When you want the craft beer experience without the heavy caloric price tag, this variety pack is a total game changer. You get a rotating mix of styles like a crisp Kölsch and a juicy Hazy IPA, which is great if you get bored drinking the same thing every night.

These aren’t just ‘diet’ drinks; they are brewed with a process that maintains a full-bodied craft character while keeping things low calorie and low carb. It’s the ideal set for a party where you want to offer options that actually taste like real beer.

I love the Electro-Lime for a refreshing summer vibe, as it feels much more substantial than a typical light lager. The downside here is that because it’s a variety pack, the calorie counts vary between the different styles, so you have to check each can if you are tracking things down to the single digit.

If you are trying to cut back on calories without giving up your post-run ritual, Athletic Lite is honestly a game changer. Most light beers end up tasting like flavored water, but this one uses a rice and malt body to keep things feeling like a real craft brew.

It is incredibly crisp and easy to drink, making it the perfect choice for a low carb lifestyle when you want to stay sharp for a morning workout. I love that it uses simple ingredients like malted barley and wheat to get that authentic mouthfeel.

This is the one you grab for a backyard BBQ or a long hike when you want the refreshment of a cold can without the heavy fog of alcohol. The only real bummer is that while it nails the texture, the hop profile is very subtle, so if you are looking for a massive flavor punch, this might feel a bit too safe for your palate.

Finding a Non-Alcoholic Hazy IPA that actually feels juicy is usually a tall order, but this brew from Athletic Brewing really hits the mark. It manages to pack in those tropical notes you expect from a low calorie hazy without the sugar crash or the booze.

It is specifically designed to pair well with heavier foods like pizza or burgers, providing enough citrusy brightness to cut through the grease. If you are someone who loves the hazy aesthetic and that cloudy pour, you will be happy to see this looks exactly like the real deal in a glass.

It is a fantastic alternative for social drinkers who want to stay in the mix all night. However, because it is so focused on that fruity, hazy profile, the mouthfeel can sometimes feel a little thinner than a standard 7% ABV juice bomb, which is the trade-off for staying so light.

If you are strictly watching your macros, Asahi Dry Zero is basically the holy grail of the ‘beer for calories’ category because it actually contains zero calories. I know that sounds like it might taste like flavored water, but it surprisingly nails that crisp, dry Japanese lager profile.

It’s a great pick for anyone on a keto diet or a heavy cut who still wants that sharp carbonation and malt-adjacent bite during a BBQ. Being gluten-free and 0.00% alcohol means it’s about as clean as a beverage gets.

I’d recommend this to the person who wants the ritual of cracking a cold can without any metabolic impact. It feels premium in the hand and pours with a decent head.

However, the real downside is the aftertaste; because there are no sugars or alcohol to carry the body, you get a slightly metallic, thin finish that reminds you it’s a technical feat of engineering rather than a traditional craft brew.

When you want a real craft experience but need to keep the calories low, Athletic Brewing’s Free Wave Hazy IPA is the gold standard. While it isn’t zero-calorie like the Asahi, it clocks in significantly lower than a standard IPA while delivering huge notes of tangerine and grapefruit.

It uses a blend of Amarillo, Citra, and Mosaic hops, giving it that juicy, floral punch you expect from a modern hazy. This is for the beer lover who refuses to drink ‘sad’ beer just to save calories.

It has a velvety, wheat-based body that feels substantial in your mouth, which is rare for non-alcoholic options. It’s perfect for a post-hike reward or a weeknight pizza pairing.

The only catch is that because it’s a hazy IPA style, it is much heavier and more filling than a light lager, so you probably won’t want to crush four of these in one sitting.

If you are the kind of person who hits the gym or goes for a long run but still wants to enjoy a cold one afterward without undoing all that hard work, this is your go-to. It is a Premium American Light Lager that has basically become the gold standard for anyone tracking their macros.

With only 95 calories and a tiny 2.6g of carbs, it is incredibly light on the stomach. I love how it delivers a refreshingly clean finish that doesn’t leave you feeling bloated or weighed down.

It is brewed simply with barley hops, yeast, and water, avoiding any weird artificial junk. This is perfect for backyard BBQs or watching the game when you plan on having more than one.

However, because it is so light, the flavor profile is pretty thin. If you are a fan of bold, hoppy IPAs or rich stouts, you might find this tastes a bit like ‘watered-down’ beer, as it lacks that heavy malt punch.