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The 11 Best Low-Carb Beers Of 2023
As low as 1 gram, to be exact.
Drinks that are low in calories, carbs, and alcohol are having a moment right now. Whether or not you’re on the keto diet, we’re all for a great-tasting beverage that’s better for you. But while straight liquors like vodka, tequila, and whiskey are all carb-free, they just don't cut when you're craving an ice-cold brewski.
Fortunately, it's the year 2023, and solid beer options abound for the low-carb set. No matter if you're looking for a pilsner perfect for knocking back during a backyard grill sesh or a hoppy IPA to nurse during a night out on the town, there are plenty of flavor-forward suds that won't completely derail your keto diet.
Why Should I Drink Low-Carb Beer?
A standard beer clocks in at 14 carbs a bottle or more, and while that may not seem like a ton, keep in mind that keto diets generally restrict carbs to 20 to 57 grams a day. And then what if you want another round? Before you know it, the carbs start adding up. Low-carb options, however, offer a delicious alternative.
How Can A Beer Be Low In Carbs?
There are several ways to make light beers, which are often low-calorie and low-carb. One common method involves introducing certain enzymes into the mash or fermenting beer until most of its carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars before diluting the mixture with water. This cuts down both the total ABV and calories.
While it might sound like this process would result in a watery beer, this isn’t necessarily the case—especially in recent years, as producers cater more to consumers interested in cutting carbs without sacrificing flavor. Read on for the best low-carb beers of the bunch—all 10 carbs or fewer.
Carbs: 2.4 grams
Calories: 64
ABV: 2.8%
With just 2.4 grams of carbohydrates per can, Miller 64 is one of the most well-known low-carb options out there and it's easy to find at most liquor stores or wherever you get your beer. We also dig the modern, color-blocked label and fresh, crisp flavor.
Carbs: 2.6 grams
Calories: 90
ABV: 4%
Corona Premier is a classic choice that goes hand-in-hand with beach days. All you need to add is a lime.
Carbs: 2.6 grams
Calories: 95
ABV: 4.2%
You probably already know about Michelob Ultra. Its low-cal, low-carb approach has grown in popularity over the years, inspiring other breweries to lighten up their own beers. While it may have more competition than it used to, Michelob Ultra remains an easy-to-find, easy-to-drink option ideal for whiling away the afternoon. Plus, there are a number of unique riffs on the original, like Lime & Prickly Pear Cactus, that have only a few more carbs.
Carbs: 3 grams
Calories: 98
ABV: 4%
IPA fans, don’t despair. This extra-hoppy style usually comes with high calorie and carb counts, but Lagunitas has you covered. The DayTime IPA has all of the aroma and flavor of a heavy-hitter IPA, but it’s lower in alcohol and all the health-sabotaging stuff. Plus, it packs a classic IPA bitterness balanced by a smooth, refreshing quality.
Carbs: 3.1 grams
Calories: 95
ABV: 4%
Shiner ups the flavor ante on the timeless lager with Ruby Redbird, which has a kick of grapefruit. This beer is easy-drinking, but full of tart, fruity flavor. It’s especially rewarding on a hot day.
Carbs: 3.6 grams
Calories: 95
ABV: 4%
Dogfish Head's brewers are masters of unique flavors and hoppy IPAs, so if anyone’s going to make a diet-friendly beer that doesn’t taste diet-friendly, it’s them. The Slightly Mighty is a little bitter, a little sweet, and overall refreshing with a tropical twist—all without scary calorie or carb counts.
Carbs: 3.9 grams
Calories: 140
ABV: 6.3%
The brut IPA trend swings the style’s pendulum from boozy and hazy to crisp and dry, and the result is the best of both worlds if you love beer and Champagne. Ommegang’s take is light in all the right ways; it's not skimping on flavor or aroma, yet it's managed to keep carbs and calories in check.
Carbs: 4 grams
Calories: 99
ABV: 4.2%
Pop open a bottle of this Kona Light Blonde Ale for a little taste of Hawaii. Low in calories, carbs, and ABV, it nonetheless delivers on flavor: light, bright, and smooth with some tropical juiciness from real mango.
Carbs: 4.2 grams
Calories: 99
ABV: 4%
Deschutes has subtly updated the quintessential pilsner with a little extra effervescence, a little extra citrus, and a little extra toastiness. Da Shootz! is complex but sessionable, the perfect brew to enjoy with discerning friends on a lazy afternoon.
Carbs: 8.7 grams
Calories: 110
ABV: 3.7%
If you enjoy Bell's Two Hearted, you should give this low-calorie IPA a try. It's brewed with Centennial and Galaxy hops, which lends it the flavor and aroma of citrus and pine. Plus, it clocks in at under 10 carbs.
Carbs: 10 grams
Calories: 120
ABV: 4%
While Harpoon’s Rec. League clocks in at 10 grams of carbs per 12-ounce pour, it’s worth adding to your health-conscious beer repertoire because of all its other benefits. It’s low in calories, low in alcohol, and a deliciously refreshing, hoppy, and hazy pale ale. Also, Rec. League is made with buckwheat kasha for vitamin B and minerals, chia seeds for fiber and antioxidants, and Mediterranean sea salt for electrolytes, making this beer great for kicking back after a workout. Just keep it to one beer if you're counting carbs!
Abigail Abesamis Demarest is a freelance food writer, editor, and former New Yorker based in sunny Panama City Beach, Florida. She loves a good glazed doughnut and trying new recipes to sharpen her cooking and baking skills.
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