The 26 Best Low-Carb, Keto-Friendly Beers

When it comes to weight management, there are various types of diets a person can try—such as the vegetarian diet, the Paleo diet, or the Mediterranean diet.

One of the most popular diets is the keto diet, which focuses on consuming foods and drinks with low carbohydrates and high fat. According to an article published in 2020 in the journal Cureus, having a diet with those characteristics helps the body go into ketosis, meaning it primarily burns fat.

If you're following the keto diet—or just eating fewer carbohydrates for health reasons—beer might be one of the first things that you cut from your daily intake. After all, MyPlate (the Department of Agriculture's food guidance system) reports that there are approximately 150 calories in 12 fluid ounces of beer.

So, on days when you just want to have a cold one, low-carb beer is the way to go. Here's what to know about keto-friendly beer, as well as 26 of the best ones to try.

What To Know About Low-Carb Beers

"There are more low-calorie and low-carb beer options on the shelves right now than there [have] ever been," Steven Tsaparikos, RDN, a dietitian and certified health coach at Aligned Health Practice in Carmel, Ind. told Health. "Long gone are the days of every low-carb beer being extremely bland."

While individual preferences differ, there's a beer to suit nearly everyone's tastes, whether that's a light wheat beer or a bitter India pale ale (IPA).

If you're looking for low-carb beers, you may want to watch "light" beer. Their carb contents are consistently lower than other beers. What's more, they usually contain less alcohol, as measured by the percent of alcohol by volume (ABV) than their regular counterparts.

That said, some "light" beers have more carbs than others—and they vary in calories, too.

"To be labeled as 'light,' the product needs to have one-third fewer calories compared to the full-calorie version," Taylor C. Wallace, PhD, adjunct professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., told Health.

For clients who enjoy drinking beer, Tsaparikos encouraged drinking in moderation and making informed choices. Look for nutritional information on the packaging of your beer or online. Five grams of carbohydrates is a reasonable benchmark for people who watch their carb intake, explained Tsaparikos, as long as they're drinking responsibly.

Below, we've rounded up 26 low-carb beers that clock in at fewer than 100 calories per 12-ounce bottle or glass.

Amstel Light

95 calories, 5 g carbs, 3.5% ABV

At five grams of carbohydrate per serving, Amstel Light is about the middle of the road for this category. It's also light on the palate and quite refreshing.

Blue Moon LightSky

95 calories, 3.6 g carbs, 4% ABV

Craving a wheat brew? This one's light and refreshing with a solid tangerine undertone, "which will be very familiar to anyone who has had Blue Moon in the past," Tsaparikos noted.

Budweiser Select 55

55 calories, 1.9 g carbs, 2.4% ABV

With an aroma of toasted malt and subtle hops, this beer is the lowest when it comes to calories and carbs. It's even lighter than Bud Light, which comes in over our 100-calorie cap, and Budweiser Select, Anheuser-Busch's 99-calorie version.

Corona Premier

90 calories, 2.6 g carbs, 4.0% ABV

From Grupo Modelo in Mexico, Corona Premier clocks in at fewer calories and carbs than Corona Light (which has 99 calories and five grams of carbohydrates).

Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty

95 calories, 3.6 g carbs, 4% ABV

This low-calorie brew is one that Tsaparikos particularly enjoyed.

"This is a great option for the IPA fans out there that are wanting to work towards their goals and still enjoy a nice hoppy beer at the end of a long day," said Tsaparikos.

Lagunitas DayTime

98 calories, 3 g carbs, 4% ABV

With the re-release of DayTime in 2019, Lagunitas Brewing Company delivered a light IPA with low alcohol content.

With the brew, "you still get the characteristics of a traditional IPA but with much lower calories and carb content," Tsaparikos said.

Michelob Ultra Pure Gold

85 calories, 2.5 g carbs, 3.8% ABV

Introduced in 2018, Ultra comes in with a slightly better nutrition profile than traditional Michelob Ultra (which contains 95 calories, 2.6 grams of carbs, and 4.2% ABV) and what appears to be a similar flavor profile, Tsaparikos observed.

If you want to cut back, pick up Michelob Ultra's seven-ounce bottle: It's 55 calories and 1.5 grams of carbs.

Miller Lite

96 calories, 3.2 g carbs, 4.2% ABV

First brewed in 1975, the pilsner (a beer with a strong flavor of hops) is the "original light beer." Want even fewer calories and carbs? Try Miller64, which has only 64 calories per serving and 2.4 grams of carbs.

Yuengling Flight

95 calories, 2.6 g carbs, 4.2% ABV

Even with just under three grams of carbs, the "next generation" light beer is "clean, crisp, and refreshing," according to the Yuengling website.

Beck's Premier Light

64 calories, 3.9 g carbs, 2.3% ABV

Opened during the 19th century in northern Germany, Beck's Brewery makes one of the best light beers perfect for a hot summer day. At only 3.9 grams of carbohydrates, Beck's Premier Light has sweet and fruity flavors, per Drizly, an online alcohol retailer and delivery service.

Busch Light

95 calories, 3.2 g carbs, 4.1% ABV

According to Busch, their light beer has the same taste as—but fewer calories and carbohydrates—than their regular brew.

Natural Light

95 calories, 3.2 g carbs, 4.2% ABV

Anheuser-Busch debuted its first light beer, which has fewer calories and carbohydrates than its regular brew, in 1977. According to Anheuser-Busch, Natural Light is the perfect beverage for any "easy-drinking character."

Devils Backbone Bright Tangerine Ale

90 calories, 2 g carbs, 4% ABV

In 2016, Anheuser-Busch acquired Devils Backbone Brewing Company, which has a taproom based in Lexington, Virginia. Under the new leadership, the company produced and distributed several beers, like Devils Backbone Bright Tangerine Ale. The light beer has citrus flavors and only two grams of carbohydrates.

Shiner Ruby Redbird

95 calories, 3 g carbs, 4.01% ABV

Per Spoetzl Brewery—the maker of Shiner beers—was founded in 1909 in Shiner, Texas. They say their low-carb beer tastes like a Texas ruby red grapefruit and has notes of ginger.

Surly Brewing Co. Rosé

125 calories, 2.25 g carbs, 5.2% ABV

This pink-colored beverage may be your go-to choice if you aren't a big fan of beer. According to Surly Brewing Co., their rosé beer has notes of currants and strawberries.

Bud Light Next

80 calories, 0 g carbs, 4% ABV

According to Bud Light, Next is their first brew that has absolutely zero carbohydrates while also providing a refreshing taste.

Milwaukee's Best Light

96 calories, 3.5 g carbs, 4.2% ABV

Miller Brewing Company introduced Milwaukee's Best Light, a low-calorie pale lager, in 1986. Per the Drizly website, Milwaukee's Best Light has a slightly bitter, malty taste.

Yuengling Light Lager 99

99 calories, 3.2 g carbs, 4.2% ABV

Yuengling, a brewery based in Pa., describes their light lager as tasting like caramel malt and mild hop. At only, 3.2 grams of carbs, the low-calorie option is full of flavor.

Allagash Saison

140 calories, 5 g carbs, 6.1% ABV

Allagash Saison is on the slightly high end of the low-carb beer spectrum, and it has a higher ABV than some of the other options. According to Allagash, the company brews its light beer with a "2-row barley blend, malted rye, oats, and dark Belgian candi sugar" to create a delicious citrus beverage.

Ommegang Brut IPA

140 calories, 3.9 g carbs, 6.3% ABV

In 2018, Ommegang, a brewery based in Cooperstown, N.Y., released its low-calorie IPA. Per Ommegang, their Brut IPA is dry and bubbly and has a hoppy taste. Its similar character to champagne makes it a perfect drink for New Year's Eve and other celebrations.

Kona Light Blonde Ale

99 calories, 4 g carbs, 4.2% ABV

Kona Brewing Co. describes its low-calorie Light Blonde Ale as having a pale, caramel malt taste and pairing great with seafood.

Deschutes Da Shootz! Pilsner

99 calories, 4.2 g carbs, 4% ABV

Reviewers on the online community, BeerAdvocate, describe Deschutes Da Schootz! Pilsner as bubbly and toasty, tasting like citrus. The hops include Tettnang, Lemondrop, and Azacca, giving the pilsner a fruity and floral taste and smell.

BrewDog Vagabond Pale Ale

150 calories, 5 g carbs, 4.5% ABV

In 2015, BrewDog, a brewery based in Scotland, rereleased its Vagabond Pale Ale. Per BrewDog, their light beer delivers citrus and caramel malt flavors. What's more, is that it is also gluten-free.

Four Peaks Brut IPA

152 calories, 5 g carbs, 6.7% ABV

According to Four Peaks, a brewery based in Tempe, Ariz., their extra-dry IPA is bubbly, tasting like "mixed berries, melon, and white wine." It pairs great with a variety of cheeses, oysters, stuffed mushrooms, and shortbread cookies.

Omission Ultimate Light Golden Ale

99 calories, 3 g carbs, 4.2% ABV

According to the website, BeerAdvocate, 80% of reviewers denoted that the gluten-free Omission Ultimate Light Golden Ale from Widmer Brothers Brewing Company, based in Oregon, is a good low-carb option. The reviewers described it as having a crisp, slightly bitter taste.

Keystone Light

120 calories, 5 g carbs, 4.13% ABV

In 1989, Coors Brewing Company, based in Golden, Colorado, introduced Keystone Light, which is triple-filtered and has a crisp, smooth taste.

Don't See a Low-Carb Beer You Like?

Unfortunately, no good indicator—such as bitterness from hops—can help you identify other low-carb beers.

"Obviously, if the product tastes sweet, it likely has more sugar and carbs," said Dr. Wallace. "But in general, quantities can vary between even similar products."

However, with the Voluntary Disclosure Initiative by the Beer Institute, which is America's brewing industry national trade association, looking for and finding the right beer might be a little easier than before.

"Beer industry leaders Anheuser-Busch, MillerCoors, Heineken USA, Constellation Brands Beer Division, North American Breweries, and Craft Brew Alliance—which produce more than 81% of the beer sold in the United States—agreed to implement labeling of total calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat, and ABV to help consumers choose healthier options," explained Dr. Wallace.

That means you can spend less time determining if a beer will throw off your keto diet efforts—and more time enjoying your beer of choice.