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Beer Calories Calculator

by Karl S | Updated: March 15, 2021

Beer Calories Formula

The Beer calories calculator uses the same formula as the ABV calculator to calculate a beers calories.

  • Calories From Alcohol
    1881.22 * Final_Gravity * (Original_Gravity – Final_Gravity)/(1.775 – Original_Gravity)
  • Calories From Carbohydrates
    3550 * Final_Gravity * ((0.1808 * Original_Gravity) + (0.8192 * Final_Gravity) – 1.0004)
  • Total Calories
    Calories From Alcohol + Calories From Carbohydrates

Approximating Beer Calories w/ ABV

If you don’t know the beers original & final gravity, we can approximate the beers calories simply by multiplying the beers ABV % by a factor of  ~2.5 and then multiplying that number by how many ounces the bottle holds.

Approx. Calories = (ABV% * 2.5 ) * oz

While the above calculation won’t ever be as exact as our OG/FG formula, it’s simplicity makes it much easier to remember and apply when you’re out enjoying a few cold ones.

Let’s go through an example beer really quick just to demonstrate what kind of difference you can expect in the results between these 2 equations.

Example Beer:
-Original Gravity = 1.070
-Final Gravity = 1.018
-ABV % = 7.22

Entering the above values into our 2 formula’s above, we get a value of 228 & 216 calories respectively. In this particular example, the margin for error is about 5%.

While calculating a beers calories from the ABV% alone won’t always be quite as accurate as our example beer, the formula does tend to be much more practical out in the real world.

Below is a quick reference chart that gives you a beers estimated calories based on it’s ABV%.

Here’s the full Beer Alcohol Content List with over +250 beers to find the correct ABV you need for the above calculations.

Some Frequently Asked Questions about Beer Calories

How Many Calories in Beer Homebrew Academy

What is a beer made up of?

Beers have four primary ingredients, namely grain, hops, yeast, and water. During the fermentation process, the sugars turn into alcohol. 

Brewers use hops to eliminate the bacteria while increasing the bitterness and flavor of the wort. Around 95 percent of a beer is actually water.

Why do You Need Hops?

Hops determine four significant attributes of any beer, namely, flavor, aroma, bitterness, and stability.

Since hops eliminate unwanted bacteria from the wort before fermentation, the resulting beer is preserved from contamination. Brewers choose yeast depending on the resulting beer style.

Therefore, there are two types of fermentation process namely, Top-fermenting (uses Ale yeast) and Bottom-fermenting (uses Lager yeast).

Since alcoholic drinks are fermented from natural sugar or starch, it accounts to high-calorie intake in the body. Unlike other foods that contain high caloric values, alcoholic drinks have ‘empty’ calories.

These are called empty calories because they do not have any nutritional value.

So if you are someone who loves beer, then here is the ultimate guide to let you know about the calorie intake. You can very well choose to select low-calorie beers if you are following a diet.

Why the Calories in Beer Can Create Fat?

You could have heard about ‘beer belly’ if you are a fond lover of beers. Here, we are going to explain to you why beers why people associate these drinks with fatness. As we already mentioned above in this article, beers are made from fermenting and distilling the grains with yeast.

Sometimes, flavoring of beer happens with fruit or spices. This flavoring process also adds some sugar to the beer.

Alcohol by Volume, abbreviated as ABV, is a representation of alcohol content in any beer. ABV represents the amount of alcohol content in a 3.4 oz. drink. It is represented in percentage.

Normally, the content varies from 4-6%. But, in exceptional cases, like low-calorie beer or high-calorie beer, ABV can range from 0.5% to 40%.

In effect, the calories depend on the style of beer and the brewer. You could have heard about pale ale, wheat, stout, and lager beers. The calories and the alcohol content of a beer depending on hops, boiling and fermenting time, the flavors and flavoring time.

These calories will create fat in your body, which exceeds the fat, you are burning with regular exercise. These excess calories lead to the accumulation of fat in the belly and other areas of the body. Regular consumption of beer or any other alcoholic drink can also affect the pancreas, kidney and other organs in the body.

Nutritional Value of a “Regular Beer“

A 12-oz. serving of a regular beer contains the following nutritional value. Please note that a 12-oz. serving of regular beer will contain 4% ABV (or alcohol content).

  • Calories: 153
  • Fat: 0 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 13 grams
  • Alcohol: 14 grams
  • Proteins: 2 Grams

Some micronutrients like Sodium, Potassium and Magnesium are also present in feeble quantities in the beer you love. But you will have to take large amounts of beer to satisfy your daily requirements of nutrition.

How Beer Increases Calorie Intake?

These factors contribute to the fatness contributed by a beer can be due to the following:

  • Calorie Value of the Beer:

The calorie value of the beer is very high. A 12-oz. serving of a beer contributes the same calorie as that of four cookies. Higher the alcohol contents of the beer, higher its calories. Also, it is proven that the alcohol content in the beer makes you consume more food. It increases your appetite, thereby causing the accumulation of more fat in the body.

  • Might Prevent Fat Burning:

The body prioritizes in burning alcohol than the stored fat, thereby resulting in accumulation of fat. Therefore, a regular drinker will have accumulation of stored fat, and thereby weight gain. But also, drinking fewer quantities of beer every day will not result in weight gain.

  • Contains Phytoestrogens:

The Phytoestrogens obtained from the hops can mimic the female sex hormone in the body. This element might create hormonal changes in men, and thereby, increasing belly fat. This point is not proved though.

Where do Calories Come From?

The calories in the beer come from carbohydrates and alcohol contents. As you know, your fancy beer is derived from the natural starch in barley or any other grain. This starch is fermented by yeast to give carbon dioxide and alcohol.

During the fermentation process, the yeast breaks down the carbohydrates or sugar to create alcohol. The smaller chains of carbohydrates are broken down into alcohol, but the bigger ones stay in your beer as carbohydrates.

The calories of the beer come 60% from alcohol and 40% from carbohydrates. So, a high-alcohol content beer will have high calories. You can see that low-calorie beers are light in color. But the color of a beer does not have any relation with calories. We mean to say that, a dark-colored beer doesn’t necessarily have to be a high-calorie beer.

The light color of the beer is due to the low usage of grain in the brewing process. The moderate use of grain results in low carbohydrate content in the alcohol, in turn reducing the calories. 

List of Beer with Calories, ABV and Carbs:

Here is our exclusive list of 200+ list of beers with their calories, ABV and Carbs value. Before we start with the list, let us just define some basic terminologies used to compare the calorie content of beers.

  • ABV: Alcohol by Volume content refers to the amount of alcohol content in a beer. This ABV content can vary from anywhere from 0.5% to 45%. Lower the alcohol content; lower the calories of the beer. This Beer Alcohol Content List is also sortable and has brewing links to each type.
  • C.F.A.: Calories from Alcohol, abbreviated as C.F.A, refers to Calories contributed by alcohol content in the beer. Higher this value, better the alcohol in terms of calories.
  • Calories per serving: The calories you take in per 12-oz. beer servings.
  • Carbs per serving: The Carbohydrates per 12-oz. beer serving

Lowest-Calorie Beers (under 100 Calories):

The Low-calorie beers are alcohol with low calories from carbohydrate and alcohol content. The low-calories beers, those under 100 calories, are listed below. Though they do not help in your diet, it does not result in weight gain.

  • Budweiser Select 55 contains 55 calories, 2.4% ABV, 1.9 grams of carbohydrates, and 84.7% C.F.A.
  • Beck’s Light contains 64 calories, 2.3% ABV, 3.9 grams of carbohydrates, and 69.7% C.F.A.
  • Pabst Extra Light Low Alcohol contains 67 calories, 2.5% ABV, and 72.4% C.F.A.
  • Corona Premier contains 90 calories, 4% ABV, 2.6 grams of carbohydrates, and 86.2% C.F.A.
  • Busch Light contains 95 calories, 4.1% ABV, 3.2 grams of carbohydrates and 82.25% C.F.A.
  • Kirin Light contains 95 calories, 3.2% ABV, 7.8 grams of carbohydrates, and 64.19% C.F.A.
  • Michelob Ultra contains 95 calories, 4.2% ABV, 2.6 grams of carbohydrates, and 84.25% C.F.A.
  • Michelob Ultra Lime Cactus contains 95 calories, 4.0% ABV, 5.5 grams of carbohydrates, and 80.24% C.F.A.
  • Natural Light contains 95 calories, 4.2% ABV, 3.2 grams of carbohydrates, and 84.25% C.F.A.
  • Miller Lite contains 96 calories, 4.2% ABV, 3.2 grams of carbohydrates, and 83.38% C.F.A.
  • Milwaukee’s Best Light contains 98 calories, 4.1% ABV, 3.5 grams of carbohydrates and 79.73% C.F.A.
  • Grolsch Light Lager contains 97 calories, 3.6% ABV, and 70.73% C.F.A.
  • Amstel Light contains 95 calories, 3.5% ABV, 5 grams of carbohydrates, and 70.21% C.F.A.
  • Budweiser Select contains 99 calories, 4.3% ABV, 3.1 grams of carbohydrates, and 82.77% C.F.A.
  • Corona Light contains 99 calories, 4.1% ABV, 5 grams of carbohydrates, and 78.92% C.F.A.
  • Heineken Light contains 99 calories, 3.5% ABV, 6.8 grams of carbohydrates, and 67.37% C.F.A.
  • Yuengling Light Lager contains 99 calories, 3.5% ABV, 8.8 grams of carbohydrates, and 67.37% C.F.A.

Low Calorie-Beers (Under 150 Calories):

The low-calorie beers less than 150 calories are listed below. Scroll down to find out if your fancy beer is less than 150 calories.

  • Coors Light contains 102 calories, 4.2% ABV, 5 grams of carbohydrates, and 78.47% C.F.A.
  • Keystone Light contains 104 calories, 4.13% ABV, 5 grams of carbohydrates, and 75.68% C.F.A.
  • Miller High Life Light contains 110 calories, 4.1% ABV, 7 grams of carbohydrates, and 71.03% C.F.A.
  • Bud Light contains 110 calories, 4.2% ABV, 6.6 grams of carbohydrates, and 72.76% C.F.A.
  • Hamm’s Special Light contains 110 calories, 3.9% ABV, and 67.57% C.F.A.
  • Leinenkugel Amber Light contains 110 calories, 4.14% ABV, 7.4 grams of carbohydrates and 73% C.F.A.
  • Michelob Golden Draft Light contains 110 calories, 4.1% ABV, 7.0 grams of carbohydrates, and 72.3% C.F.A.
  • Old Milwaukee Light contains 114 calories, 3.8% ABV, and 63.52% C.F.A.
  • Schlitz Light contains 110 calories, 4.2% ABV, and 72.76% C.F.A.
  • Keystone Premium contains 111 calories, 4.43% ABV, 5.8 grams of carbohydrates, and 76.06% C.F.A.
  • Busch contains 114 calories, 4.3% ABV, 6.9 grams of carbohydrates, and 71.88% C.F.A.
  • Bud Light Lime contains 116 calories, 4.2% ABV, 8.0 grams of carbohydrates, and 69% C.F.A.
  • Sam Adams Light contains 119 calories, 4% ABV, 7.71 grams of carbohydrates, and 64.06% C.F.A.
  • Grolsch Blonde Lager contains 120 calories, 2.8% ABV, and 44.47% C.F.A.
  • Bud Ice contains 136 calories, 5.5% ABV, 4 grams of carbohydrates, and 77.07% C.F.A.
  • Michelob Light contains 123 calories, 4.1% ABV, 8.9 grams of carbohydrates, and 64.05% C.F.A.
  • Guinness Draught contains 128 calories, 4.2% ABV, 10.6 grams of carbohydrates, and 62.53% C.F.A.
  • New Planet Tread Lightly Ale contains 125 calories, 4.27% ABV, 53.53% C.F.A.
  • Natural Ice contains 130 calories, 5.9% ABV, 4 grams of carbohydrates, and 86.49% C.F.A.
  • Flying Dog Tire Bite Golden Ale contains 129 calories, 5.1% ABV, 6.2 grams of carbohydrates and 76.7% C.F.A.
  • Rolling Rock Premium Beer contains 120 calories, 4.5% ABV, 10 grams of carbohydrates, and 66.2% C.F.A.
  • Victoria contains 135 calories, 4.04% ABV, and 56.03% C.F.A.
  • Weinhard’s Amber Light contains 135 calories, 4.2% ABV, 11.5 grams of carbohydrates, and 60.04% C.F.A.
  • Flying Dog In Heat Wheat contains 138 calories, 4.7% ABV, 10.4 grams of carbohydrates and 66.1% C.F.A.
  • New Belgium Blue Paddle contains 140 calories, 4.8% ABV, 14 grams of carbohydrates, and 66.5% C.F.A.
  • Yuengling Lager contains 142 calories, 4.6% ABV, 12 grams of carbohydrates, and 61.74% C.F.A.
  • Miller High Life contains 143 calories, 4.6% ABV, 13.10 grams of carbohydrates, and 61.30% C.F.A.
  • Hamm’s Beer contains 144 calories, 4.7% ABV, 12.1 grams of carbohydrates, and 64.2% C.F.A.
  • Keystone Ice contains 145 calories, 5.9% ABV, 5.9 grams of carbohydrates, and 77.54% C.F.A.
  • Rolling Rock Extra Pale contains 132 calories, 4.5% ABV, 10 grams of carbohydrates, and 64.97% C.F.A.
  • Schaefer Beer contains 142 calories, 4.6% ABV, 12.0 grams of carbohydrates, and 62.9% C.F.A.
  • Harbin Lager contains 144 calories, 4.8% ABV, and 63.52% C.F.A.
  • Pabst Blue Ribbon contains 144 calories, 4.74% ABV, 12.8 grams of carbohydrates, and 62.73% C.F.A.
  • Schlitz Beer contains 146 calories, 4.7% ABV, and 61.35% C.F.A.
  • Coors Banquet contains 149 calories, 5% ABV, 12.20 grams of carbohydrates, and 63.95% C.F.A.
  • Kirin Ichiban contains 147 calories, 4.9% ABV, 10.60 grams of carbohydrates, and 63.52% C.F.A.
  • Red Dog contains 147 calories, 4.8% ABV, 11.50 grams of carbohydrates, and 62.23% C.F.A.
  • Heineken contains 150 calories, 5% ABV, 11.50 grams of carbohydrates, and 63.52% C.F.A.
  • Newcastle Brown Ale contains 138 calories, 4.7% ABV, 9.60 grams of carbohydrates, and 64.69% C.F.A.

High-Calorie Beers (Over 150 Calories)

These high-calories beers, if consumed every day, could create many problems including weight gain and lifestyle changes. You can definitely try these exquisite beers once at a party, but we wouldn’t recommend drinking daily.

  • Sierra Nevada Summerfest Beer contains 158 calories, 5% ABV, 13.70 grams of carbohydrates, and 60.31% C.F.A.
  • Lowenbrau Dark contains 160 calories, 5% ABV, and 59.55% C.F.A.
  • Lowenbrau Special Beer contains 160 calories, 5.2% ABV, and 61.94% C.F.A.
  • Molson Ice contains 169 calories, 5.6% ABV, 13.90 grams of carbohydrates, and 63.15% C.F.A.
  • New Belgium Fat Tire contains 160 calories, 5.2% ABV, 15 grams of carbohydrate,s and 63.1% C.F.A.
  • Red Bridge Beer contains 157 calories, 4% ABV, 12.3 grams of carbohydrates, and 60.02% C.F.A.
  • Sam Adams Pale Ale contains 145 calories, 5.25% ABV, and 65.5% C.F.A.
  • Genesee Cream Ale contains 162 calories, 5.1% ABV, 15.0 grams of carbohydrates, and 61.1% C.F.A.
  • Flying Dog Road Dog contains 163 calories, 6% ABV, 9.90 grams of carbohydrates, and 71.4% C.F.A.
  • Leinenkugel Northwoods Lager contains 163 calories, 4.94% ABV, 15.30 grams of carbohydrates, and 63.15% C.F.A.
  • Tuborg Deluxe Dark Export contains 163 calories, 5.1% ABV, and 60.7% C.F.A.
  • Michelob Beer contains 155 calories, 5% ABV, 13.3 grams of carbohydrates, and 59.2% C.F.A.
  • Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat contains 165 calories, 4.9% ABV, 16 grams of carbohydrates, and 57.6% C.F.A.
  • Leinenkugel Red contains 166 calories, 4.94% ABV, 16.2 grams of carbohydrates, and 57.7% C.F.A.
  • Sierra Nevada Pale Ale contains 175 calories, 5.6% ABV, 14.10 grams of carbohydrates and 60.98% C.F.A.
  • Blue Moon Full Moon Winter Ale contains 180 calories, 5.52% ABV, and 58.44% C.F.A.
  • Blue Moon Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale contains 180 calories, 5.76% ABV, 14.70 grams of carbohydrates, and 60.98% C.F.A.
  • Bud American Ale contains 182 calories, 5.3% ABV, 18.10 grams of carbohydrates, and 55.50% C.F.A.
  • Natty Daddy contains 181 calories, 8% ABV, 5 grams of carbohydrates, and 84.23% C.F.A.
  • Miller Fortune contains 186 calories, 6.9% ABV, 12 grams of carbohydrates, and 70.70% C.F.A.
  • Sierra Nevada India Pale Ale contains 231 calories, 6.9% ABV, 20 grams of carbohydrates, and 58% C.F.A.
  • Sierra Nevada Bigfoot contains 330 calories, 9.6% ABV, 32.10 grams of carbohydrates, and 55.44% C.F.A.
  • Dogfish Head, 120 Minute IPA, contains 450 calories, 18% ABV, and 77.6% C.F.A.

Here is our list of light and fancy beers with alcohol and carbohydrate content. So, next time, when you order your drink from the bartender, make sure to check our list; and order the best for you.

How many calories do you think are in your favorite homebrew?