We all know what heavy beer consumption can cause—the dreaded beer gut. Low ABV (alcohol by volume) drinks can really sneak up on you in the calorie department if you're not careful. If you're looking for the healthiest beer, you've come to the right place.
I've done extensive research on the healthiest (and tastiest) beers out there and compiled a list for reference. It's possible to pop the top off a cold one without ruining your diet. Even better, check out this article to see how beer can actually benefit your health (in moderation, of course). Here are the 10 healthiest beers you can purchase in stores.
1. Bud Select 55
A 55-calorie beer does exist. Good thing, too, because sometimes it's hard to drink just one. This low-cal beer contains 2 grams of carbohydrates and has only 2.4% ABV per 12-ounce serving. Obviously, it won't get you bad and boozy, but it's a great choice when trying to limit calorie intake.
2. Miller64
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I don't think I have to state how many calories are in this beer (64, if you didn't catch it). Another low-cal beer, Miller64 contains 2.4 grams of carbs and has 2.8% ABV per 12-ounce serving. Like Bud Select 55, this beer fits right in with a healthy diet.
3. Michelob Ultra
For anyone who has seen the commercial for this beer, you probably expected it to make the list. With 95 calories, 2.6 grams of carbohydrates, and an ABV of 4.2%, Michelob Ultra is definitely one of the healthiest beers out there. I do think it's a bit of a stretch to say that this beer "promotes an active, social lifestyle," but it's definitely a good option to include in a healthy diet.
#SpoonTip: Contrary to what the commercial portrays, this beer will not enhance your workouts.
4. Amstel Light
Our next healthiest beer is brought to you by the Netherlands. A 12-ounce bottle of Amstel Light has only 95 calories, 5 grams of carbohydrates, and is 3.5% ABV. Score one for the Dutch.
#SpoonTip: You'll see the word "light" appear multiple times in this article. This is almost always indicative of a lower calorie content. If you're trying to keep your calorie intake low, stick with beers that have "light" attached to their name.
5. Miller Lite
Clocking in at 96 calories, Miller Lite is another tasty contender in the healthiest beer category. It only contains 3.2 grams of carbohydrates and has an ABV of 4.2%. In fact, this low-cal pilsner won the 2016 Gold Award in the World Beer Cup in the light lager category.
6. Coors Light
It is hard to resist those blue Rocky Mountains that appear on an ice cold Coors Light. Luckily, you don't have to. A basic 12-ounce can contains 102 calories and only 5 grams of carbohydrates. With an ABV of 4.2%, a Coors Light is not likely to kill your waistline.
7. Samuel Adams Light
This beer contains 119 calories, 9.6 grams of carbohydrates, and has an ABV of 4.3%. The company's website claims that the crisp and smooth roasted malt finish will leave you "yearning for that next sip."
8. Guinness Draught
Hope is not lost for those who don't like light beers. A dark color does not always mean a higher calorie content. Guinness Draught, a dark, rich, and creamy stout, is an Irish classic that boasts 125 calories per 12-ounce serving. It also has 10 grams of carbohydrates and a 4.2% ABV.
9. Good Juju
A little less recognizable, this unique beer is made by Left Hand Brewing Company. It contains 131 calories, 5 grams of carbohydrates, and has an ABV of 4.5%. While higher in calories than the previous beers, this beer is brewed with ginger, which has several health benefits, including reducing inflammation and aiding in digestion.
10. Pacífico
We make our way south of the border to find our next healthy beer. While a little higher in calorie and carb content, this is probably one of the better tasting beers on this list. Pacífico contains 145 calories and 12 grams of carbs per 12-ounce serving, and it has an ABV of 4.5%. Drinking one won't kill your diet, I promise.
There are beers out there with lower calorie content that I did not include in this list, but I personally don't think you should sacrifice taste for a small decrease in calories. You may have also noticed that Natty Light did not make the list, and there's a reason for that. Just, no. You might as well drink water and save yourself the calories instead.