The Healthiest Light Beer, According to Dietitians

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The Healthiest Light Beer, According to Dietitians originally appeared on Men’s Fitness.

Beer is famously one of man’s favorite alcoholic drink options. But when you hear the word “light beer,” you may not be as likely to grab a cold one. But this reputation is unwarranted.

There are so many new light beers—as well as some oldies-but-goodies—that are lighter in calories but full of the beer taste you love. Below, you’ll find a registered dietitian’s top picks for six light beers.

Related: The Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks for Summer, According to a Dietitian

What Is Light Beer?

A traditional beer, like Budweiser, has 5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). A 12-fluid ounce bottle of beer that is 5 percent ABV is considered to be one drink of beer. According to the 2020-2025 dietary guidelines, if you choose to drink then men should limit their alcohol to a maximum of two drinks.

Light beers have about 80 percent as much alcohol as regular beer. That would mean they have about 4.2% ABV, which is equivalent to .8 of a serving of alcohol. If you don’t like doing the math, you can calculate the number of drink equivalents in your beer by using this Standard Drink Calculator. Just type in the volume of your beer can or bottle and the percent ABV listed on it and the “total number of drinks” will be calculated.

Below, you’ll find light beers that have an ABV between 3.3 percent and 4.8 percent in a 12- fluid ounce bottle. The lower the percentage ABV, the lower the calories, as alcohol provides 7 calories per gram. Remember, the idea is to enjoy up to two 12-fluid ounce beers that are lighter, not increase your beer intake. This will decrease your overall calorie and alcohol intake.

The Healthiest Light Beer, According to Dietitians

Two Roads Lil’ Heaven

Nutrition info (per one can Lil’ Heaven Session IPA): 150 Calories; 0 g Total Fat; 0 g Saturated Fat; 2 g Protein; 12 g Total Carbs; 1 g Fiber; 0 g Sugars (including 0 g added sugars); 10 mg Sodium

• 4.8 percent ABV per 12 fluid ounces

• Drink equivalents: 0.96

Two Roads Brewing Company in Stratford, Connecticut makes some seriously delicious beer. It’s a favorite of certified athletic trainer and registered dietitian nutritionist Dana Angelo White, M.S., R.D.N., A.T.C. “Lil Heaven is a totally crushable, refreshing session IPA featuring plenty of citrusy, hoppy goodness, but doesn’t weigh you down like some heftier IPAs,” says Angelo White.

Light IPA: Dogfish Head 30 Minute Light IPA

Nutrition info (per one can 30‑Minute Light IPA):

95 Calories; 0 g Total Fat; 0 g Saturated Fat; 1 g Protein; 3.6 g Total Carbs; 1 g Fiber; 0 g Sugars (including 0 g added sugars); 0 mg Sodium

• 4 percent ABV per 12 fluid ounces

• Drink equivalents: 0.80

This low-calorie, low-carb, “light” option is a top pick of Jim White, R.D.N., A.C.S.M. EX–P, owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios. He says that this beer “provides only 95 calories and 3.6g of carbs per 12 fluid ounces with a 4.0 percent ABV, making it a solid option for fit individuals who want to watch their calorie intake.” The continual hopping process enhances flavor without increasing bitterness, which helps eliminate the need for extra sweeteners giving this beer International Bitterness Units (IBU) of 30.

Heineken Light

Nutrition info (per one can Heineken Light): 90 Calories; 0 g Total Fat; 0 g Saturated Fat; 1 g Protein; 6 g Total Carbs; 0 g Fiber; 0 g Sugars (including 0 g added sugars); ~0 mg Sodium (

• 3.3 percent ABV per 12 fluid ounces

• Drink equivalents: 0.66

Each Heineken Light bottle provides 90 calories and 6 grams of carbs, with hints of that classic Heineken flavor. Although each bottle is considered to be two-thirds of a serving of alcohol, that doesn’t give you permission to guzzle a 6-pack—though it would go down easy.

Yuengling Light Lager

Nutrition info (per one can Yuengling Light Lager):

99 Calories; 0.1 g Total Fat; 0 g Saturated Fat; 0.8 g Protein; 3.2 g Total Carbs; 0 g Fiber; 0 g Sugars (including 0 g added sugars); 0 mg Sodium

• 4 percent ABV per 12 fluid ounces

• Drink equivalents: 0.80

Yuengling is best known for making delicious lagers with a toasty, slightly sweet, and crisp taste. Their iconic Traditional Lager has 141 calories and 12 grams of carbohydrates, while the Light Lager offers a taste just as delicious with only 99 calories and 3.2 grams of carbohydrates. This makes it a top pick of Amanda Godman, M.S., R.D., owner of Amanda Godman Nutrition. “By making this easy switch, you can enjoy the same flavor you love while cutting your carbs by more than 70 percent,” says Godman.

Michelob Ultra

Nutrition info (per one can Michelob Ultra):

95 Calories; 0 g Total Fat; 0 g Saturated Fat; 0.6 g Protein; 3 g Total Carbs; 0 g Fiber; 0 g Sugars (including 0 g added sugars); ~6 mg Sodium

• 4.2 percent ABV per 12 fluid ounces

• Drink equivalents: 0.84

“Michelob Ultra is one of the top beers I recommend to my employee wellness clients because each 12-ounce serving is only 95 calories, 2.6g carbs and 4.2 percent ABV, and actually has flavor compared to other light beers,” says Mandy Enright, M.S., R.D.N., R.Y.T., worksite wellness specialist and author of 30-Minute Weight Loss Cookbook.

Further, Michelob Ultra can be found nationwide in many bars and restaurants, making it an accessible option even when traveling. However, just because this is a light beer doesn’t mean it has no calories. “Those 95 calories can add up if you have multiple Michelob Ultras, so always be mindful of how many are being consumed,” says Enright.

Kona Light Blonde Ale

Nutrition info (per one can Kona Light Blonde Ale): 99 Calories; 0 g Total Fat; 0 g Saturated Fat; 1 g Protein; 4 g Total Carbs; 0 g Fiber; 0 g Sugars (including 0 g added sugars); ~9 mg Sodium

• 4.2 percent ABV per 12 fluid ounces

• Drink equivalents: 0.84

Kona Brewing Co. was founded by a father and son team who wanted their beer to reflect the spirit, culture, and beauty of Hawaii. This refreshing light 99-calorie beer has notes of pineapple balanced with some grassy hops. It’s so flavorful that I’ll often grab this bottle over other non-light beer options.

Related: The Healthiest Coffee Creamer, According to Dietitians

The Healthiest Light Beer, According to Dietitians first appeared on Men’s Fitness on Jul 14, 2025

This story was originally reported by Men’s Fitness on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.