Summer is just about here, and it’s time to start thinking about beach bodies! Or at least time to start thinking about cutting a few calories here and there.
So why not switch to some low-calorie beers?
Before I continue, keep in mind that all beer has calories. If you’re trying to lose weight, I suggest switching to something with fewer calories. But if you want to make healthier choices without entirely cutting beer from your diet, there are plenty of options available.
Here are the best-tasting low-calorie beers (and yes, I’ve tried them all).
Best Tasting Lo-Cal Beers for 2026
Ballast Point Even Keel IPA: 114 Calories
Ballast Point beer is routinely good, though most people probably only recognize the Sculpin IPA. Well, Even Keel is a bit different. It’s got plenty of mango flavor, especially as it warms up a little bit after opening. At 3.8% ABV, this low-calorie beer is perfect for a nice, summery day. If you’re ever visiting San Diego, I highly recommend making a visit to Ballast Point and trying this out.
Best for: Drinking while grilling food
Firestone Walker Flyjack Hazy IPA: 96 Calories
The folks at Firestone Walker have done it again! Previous iterations of this list have included brews from Firestone Walker, but Flyjack Hazy IPA makes the list this year. At just 96 calories, this sessionable hazy is a cool 4% ABV, making it a nice balance of drinkability and flavor with under 100 calories per can.
Best for: Any type of water activity
Heineken Silver: 95 Calories
Heineken Light is one of the only big-name brands that ranks in my favorite low-calorie beers (and best golf beers). It only has 95 calories and 3.2 grams of carbs. It’s so light that it basically doesn’t count, and it manages to do so without being devoid of all beer flavor. Of all the light (or lite) beers you find, this is my go-to.
Best for: Golfing
Deschutes Da Shootz! Pilsner: 99 Calories
Doubling as an effort to help people correctly pronounce the brewery name, Da Shootz! from Deschutes Brewing is the perfect sunny day beer. While Da Shootz! comes in at just 4% ABV, drinkers can rejoice that they’re sipping on a beer under 100 calories. Oh, and the artwork is phenomenal, A+ work.
Best for: Enjoying indoors
Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty Lo-Cal IPA: 95 Calories
Slightly Mighty is the best description for this low-cal beer from Dogfish Head. Heck, Lo-Cal is even in the name! I’m pretty sure this is basically a Session IPA, making it one of several on this list. But it’s 4% ABV and has just 3.6 grams of carbs, making it worth drinking if you want a low-calorie option.
Best for: Taproom drinking (where available)
Shiner Light Blonde: 99 Calories
Just sneaking in under 100 calories, Shiner Light Blonde is 4.2% ABV with just 3.4g of carbs per bottle. This is a super light blonde ale that almost drinks like a lager. If you love Shiner Bock and want to cut down on calories, this is an easy beer to sub in.
Best for: Daytime social gatherings
Guinness: 125 Calories
You didn’t think you’d see Guinness on this list, did you? With only 125 calories, Guinness is a surprisingly low-cal beer, and it’s easily accessible, pretty much everywhere you can buy beer. While stouts aren’t the best in the sun, they sure do taste good in a pub at night!
Best for: Pubs
Lagunitas DayTime IPA: 98 Calories
Not only is the Lagunitas Day Time IPA a nice low-cal option, but it actually tastes pretty good. The 4% ABV is well below most of Lagunitas’ normal beers (for reference, they have a 6% ABV pils), and it’s honestly a nice change of pace.
Best for: Watching baseball
Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA: 90 Calories
Many beer drinkers are privy to non-alcoholic beers, and some might have even tried Athletic Brewing’s Run Wild IPA. What this 90-calorie beer lacks in alcohol (it is 0% ABV), it makes up for in pure quality. Seriously, you would never know you’re not drinking an alcoholic IPA with this beer. It’s 100% worth trying, and easily the healthiest option on this list.
Best for: Post-workout relaxation
Best Lo-Cal Beers: At a Glance
| Beer | Style | Calories | ABV | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA | Non-Alcoholic IPA | 90 | 0% | Post-workout relaxation |
| Heineken Silver | Light Lager | 95 | 3.2% | Golfing |
| Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty Lo-Cal IPA | Session IPA | 95 | 4% | Taproom drinking |
| Firestone Walker Flyjack Hazy IPA | Hazy IPA | 96 | 4% | Water activities |
| Lagunitas DayTime IPA | Session IPA | 98 | 4% | Watching baseball |
| Deschutes Da Shootz! Pilsner | Pilsner | 99 | 4% | Enjoying indoors |
| Shiner Light Blonde | Blonde Ale | 99 | 4.2% | Daytime gatherings |
| Ballast Point Even Keel IPA | Session IPA | 114 | 3.8% | Grilling |
| Guinness | Irish Dry Stout | 125 | 4.2% | Pubs |
Other Low-Calorie Beer Questions
Even low-calorie and non-alcoholic beers have more calories than comparable drinks, though they are better options than drinking regular beer. Looking back at that Lagunitas Daytime IPA, 98 calories is nothing to scoff at if you’re looking to lose weight. That being said, one low-cal beer is going to ruin your diet.
If you don’t want to gain a beer belly, try sticking to light beers, low-calorie beers, and N/A beers. Also, try cutting your beer drinking in half, and consider replacing beer with something a little healthier.
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