Short Brews

Best Tasting Low-Calorie Beers For 2026

Thomas Short — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 14:51:49 +0000

As far as drinks go, beer tends to be one of the highest-calorie options you can choose. But it doesn’t have to be that way, since many breweries have made a bigger effort to create low-calorie beers that are both big in flavor and better for your waistline. 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). 10 Best Lo-Cal Beers for 2026 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 Silver is one of the only big-name brands that ranks in my favorite low-calorie beers (and best light 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 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 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 Michelob Ultra I don’t have to push Michelob Ultra on anyone since it’s the best-selling beer in the country. But it sells so well for good reason. At just 95 calories and 2.6g of carbs, Michelob Ultra does a good job of balancing flavor and lightness, something that most light beers struggle with (or ignore trying to do entirely). Michelob markets itself as a beer for athletes, and that’s honeslty what it’s best for. Best for: Athletic things Other Low-Calorie Beer Questions

The post Best Tasting Low-Calorie Beers For 2026 appeared first on Short Brews.

Farewell, Kirkland Helles Style Lager

Thomas Short — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:45:57 +0000

It was just last month that I was practically waxing poetic about how solid the Kirkland Helles Style Lager is. Well, the higher-ups at Costco and Deschutes, in a cruel twist of fate, have decided not to continue the partnership that yielded the only good Kirkland beer to ever hit shelves. This is a bad day for anyone who enjoys incredibly well-priced, decent lagers and has a Costco Membership. According to Deschutes Brewery CEO Peter Skrbek, both the Helles Style Lager and Vintage Ale are being discontinued this month, with the beers expected to stop hitting shelves when supply runs out at some point in September or October. This means that, by 2027, you’ll probably be unable to find this beer in Costco. Farewell to an Award-Winning Beer The Kirkland Helles Style Lager was first released in 2024, and it recently won Bronze for the Munich-style Helles at the 2026 World Beer Cup. And for good reason; the beer is genuinely solid. Which is still crazy to me, since it’s just $14 for a 12-pack AND it has the Kirkland branding. For long-time Costco fans and beer drinkers, the Helles Style Lager was a breath of fresh air. Most Kirkland beer products have been, at best, not very good, with ill-fated Kirkland Light being one of my least favorite beers that I’ve ever had the displeasure of tasting. The Helles Style Lager was more than we could have asked for, and now it’s going away. It’s not clear exactly why the popular beer is being discontinued. It seems like it sold well, it won awards, and people have raved about it online. Oh well. We can only hope that Costco’s inevitable return to Kirkland beer is at least somewhere near the quality of the Helles Style Lager, and not a return to the dark days of yesteryear. You can find me this weekend shopping at Costco to enjoy what’s left of my favorite cheap beer.

The post Farewell, Kirkland Helles Style Lager appeared first on Short Brews.

Can You Put Ice in Beer?

Thomas Short — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 02:58:53 +0000

For some beer drinkers, putting ice in beer is sacrilegious and an unforgivable offense. For others, it’s the go-to way to enjoy a beer on a hot afternoon. So, can you put ice in your beer? Sure, but it should depend entirely on the beer you’re drinking. Let’s take a look at beers that work well with ice and those that should never under any circumstances be mixed with ice. Why Ice Works for Some Beers and Ruins Others It’s scientifically proven that cold beer tastes better than warm beer, even if it doesn’t actually improve the quality of what you’re drinking. So, it’s fair to assume that putting ice in beer would make it taste better by keeping it cold. However, any seasoned whisky drinkers already know the main problem with adding ice to alcohol: dilution. The ice chills the beer as it melts, but it also waters it down, thinning out the brew. For light beers, this isn’t a big issue since the flavor is already…well, light. But for more complex beers, like an IPA or stout, ice can ruin the flavor that the brewer intended. Beers That Actually Hold Up on Ice If you’ve ever enjoyed a beer with ice and liked it, then you probably already know what works well: light beers with subtle flavors. Mexican lagers can be fine when paired with ice. I know this because I always put ice in my Micheladas, and they’re delicious. If you do mix Mexican lagers and ice, you’ll want to stick with the lightest options like Pacifico, Corona, or Modelo. I’ve also seen people pour American light lagers over ice, which should affect the quality of cheaper beers. I personally don’t love cheaper light lagers over ice, but it’s mostly because I don’t like a lot of those cheaper light lagers on their own. Beers You Should Never Put Ice In Most beers should never have ice added. Anything hoppy, hazy, bitter, sour, malty, and so on will only suffer if you add ice. Diluting the beer is only going to weaken the flavors, and the end result is rarely going to be better than the original brew. With thicker beers like stouts and porters, dilution can thin the mouthfeel, which completely ruins the experience. So, if you’re paying craft beer prices for something, don’t add ice. Ice in Beer Around the World A lot of people are surprised to learn that places around the world regularly serve beer with ice. It’s most common in hot and humid places in the United States and Southeast Asia, though you can find people doing this anywhere there’s beer. If you’re traveling and you’re offered beer with ice, give it a try. Odds are that it’s a lighter lager, and that extra ice could be pretty refreshing on an incredibly hot day. In any other instance, I think you should avoid putting ice in beer. FAQ

The post Can You Put Ice in Beer? appeared first on Short Brews.

Best Breweries in Portland

Thomas Short — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 16:54:22 +0000

Portland is home to some of the best breweries on the West Coast, and not enough can be said about just how good beer is across the city. I love visiting Portland. Getting around the city is easy, the food is spectacular, and people take their coffee and beer very seriously (a big win for me). Every time I visit, there’s something new to check out. This means new breweries, but also closed breweries, including Rogue and Ecliptic. Fortunately, all of my favorite breweries are still around. If you’re in Portland and need a spot to get an unforgettable beer, here are the best places to check out. 8 Best Breweries in Portland 1. Breakside Brewery Breakside is one of my favorite breweries in the world, not just in Portland. I’ve been to their downtown location, and it offers pretty much everything you’d expect from a stellar craft brewery: an industrial feel, indoor and outdoor seating, and a great food menu. I also visited it last during fresh hop season, and the two fresh hop beers I tried were exceptional. Breakside should be a must-visit for anyone sightseeing around Portland. 2. Wayfinder Beer If you love lagers and pilsners, Wayfinder Beer is the place to go. Wayfinder nails that Czech style, and every lager I’ve had of theirs has been great. But what really stands out to me with Wayfinder is that they created my favorite style of beer: the Cold IPA. If you’re looking to taste a piece of beer history, visit Wayfinder and order the Cold IPA (then stay for the lagers). 3. StormBreaker Brewing If you’re exploring Mississippi, you’ll probably stumble upon StormBreaker Brewing. It’s a great location with some charm, but the outdoor seating is perfect for big groups. Their food was pretty good, but it’s tough to compete with all the excellent options up and down Mississippi Ave. But if you’re looking for quality craft beer (specifically IPAs), StormBreaker is a safe choice. 4. Great Notion Brewing Great Notion will always make me think of beers that are a little too sweet. Is it because a lot of their stouts are themed after breakfast foods or dessert? Maybe. It could also be because IPAs like Ripe and Juice Jr. lean hard into the juicy flavors of hops. While Great Notion leans a little sweet for me, they are masters of their style, and they have locations all over the West Coast now. Of all their locations, the Alberta Street location is my personal favorite. 5. Von Ebert Brewing Another great brewery option if you’re walking up and down Mississippi, Von Ebert Brewing makes all-around quality beer. I’m not sure if they have a self-declared speciality, but my personal favorite was the Clubhaus Lager, an American Light Lager that is basically just a light beer but drinkable. 6. Upright Beer Station Upright Beer Station (or Upright Brewing) is kind of out there, both in terms of distance and style. Upright calls an old auto repair shop/gas station home, so the location doesn’t lack for character, and they’re happy to brew fun styles like an ESB or a weisse. It’s the perfect setup for a cozy neighborhood brewery. But if you’re visiting Portland, Upright might be a little too out of the way from where you’re probably staying. Fortunately for me, Southern California traffic has made everything in Portland seem easy to get to, and I highly recommend checking out Upright. 7. Ruse Brewing I think my biggest mistake with Ruse Brewing was not getting pizza. As far as beer goes, Ruse Brewing does hazy and West Coast IPAs incredibly well, and they definitely seem like the focus of the beer menu. It was only after visiting that I’ve come to understand that Crust Collective pizza is the perfect pairing for the beer. It’s just so hard to pick where to eat in Portland because it feels like everywhere has good food. Next time I visit, I’m going to try Ruse’s pizza, and if you visit, try one of their hazy IPAs. 8. Steeplejack Brewing Steeplejack Brewing offers one of the most memorable beer-drinking experiences. The taproom calls an old church home, and the inside has a fantastic old-world charm to it. It feels like drinking beer in Disneyland. They brew a little bit of everything, with the West Coast Pilsner being my favorite (and one of my favorite styles in general). You can find most of these PDX breweries at local taprooms, so if you want a unique experience and have limited time, you should prioritize Steeplejack. Beers to Try in Portland There are so many great beers in Portland, but if you want a little direction, here are my favorites: Breakside IPA: One of my favorite beers in general, just a great IPA. Wayfinder Cold IPA: This is a piece of craft beer history (and it’s good). Von Ebert Clubhaus Lager: Just a great light beer, perfect for the summer. Upright Farmhouse: Really any farmhouse beer they have on tap is worth getting. Great Notion Juice Jr.: If you like sweeter, juicier beers, this is a safe pick. Beyond PDX: Oregon Beer Country I’ve restricted my “best breweries in Portland” list to breweries that I’ve visited AND are based in Portland. Of course, anyone from Portland knows that there are other exceptional breweries in the area, some of which have taprooms in Portland, too. These aren’t technically Portland breweries, but they’re all worth trying if you’re in the area. Deschutes Brewery: Based in Bend, Deschutes is available all over the country, but they do have a taproom in the Pearl District right by Von Ebert. My favorite is the Mirror Pond pale ale. 10 Barrel Brewing: Also based in Bend and also with a location in Pearl, 10 Barrel Brewing does every style pretty well. pFriem Brewing: Based in Hood River (and it’s a great location if you’re driving through), pFriem’s pilsner is one of my all-time favorites. Pelican Brewing: If you’re checking out

The post Best Breweries in Portland appeared first on Short Brews.

What Is a DIPA?

Thomas Short — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 22:36:03 +0000

There are a lot of acronyms in beer, ranging from common terms like IPA and ABV to less well-known ones like IBU and DDH. DIPA (sometimes stylized as IIPA) falls somewhere in the middle, since most people visiting a brewery can surmise that it’s a type of IPA, which is correct. DIPA stands for Double IPA, but if you already knew that, then you’re probably wondering what makes a DIPA different from an IPA. A DIPA is essentially just a bigger, stronger version of a standard IPA, with more hops, more flavor, and more alcohol. You can expect a DIPA to hit around 8-9% ABV, whereas a standard IPA is usually closer to 6-7% ABV. A Double IPA is more or less just “double.” How Is a DIPA Different from an IPA? While a DIPA is essentially just an IPA with more everything, there is a little more nuance to what makes it unique. I actually wrote a full breakdown of IPA vs DIPA if you want to check it out, but here’s the short version. An IPA is a hop-forward beer. DIPAs leverage that same hop intensity and push it further, but that also means that more malt is needed to reach higher ABVs while keeping the beer balanced. As a result, a DIPA is often thicker, chewier, and more complex than a regular IPA. The best DIPAs are great at hiding just how boozy they are, since the balance of hops and malt should dominate the flavor. The worst DIPAs taste like a hot, hoppy soup with a boozy burn. Balance is at the center of everything a DIPA is trying to do. IPA DIPA ABV 5–7% 7.5–10% IBU 40–70 60–100+ Hop intensity Moderate to high High to aggressive Malt presence Low to moderate Moderate (to support higher ABV) Body Medium Medium to full Best for Session drinking, nice hop flavor Slow sipping, strong hop flavor West Coast DIPA vs Hazy DIPA The IPA has famous substyles, and so does the DIPA. Here are some of the main differences between the classic West Coast and Hazy/East Coast DIPA. West Coast DIPA People tend to associate DIPA with the West Coast style, likely because the first mainstream DIPAs were produced on the West Coast. A WC DIPA is clear in color, bitter, and leans into the piney, citrusy flavors of hops. While there’s plenty of malt in a WC DIPA, it’s just there to support the ABV and hop flavor. Pliny the Elder is the textbook example of a West Coast DIPA done well: balanced, crisp, and 8% ABV. If you know and love West Coast IPAs, think of a West Coast DIPA as the same thing, just dialed up a bit. Hazy / New England DIPA A hazy DIPA, sometimes called a New England DIPA, NE DIPA, or East Coast DIPA, is completely different from its West Coast kin. Where West Coast DIPAs are bitter and dry, hazy DIPAs are soft, juicy, and creamy. You’d be forgiven for mistaking a DIPA for orange juice, both in the way it looks and its mouthfeel. The NE DIPA style has exploded in popularity over the past few years, and a well-made hazy DIPA from somewhere like Tree House or Other Half is one of the best drinking experiences in craft beer. The trade-off is that they’re best when they’re fresh, since the hop aromatics fade quickly. This means that finding a high-quality NE DIPA can be tricky, especially if you don’t live on the East Coast. If you’ve been loving East Coast IPAs, hazy DIPAs are the next step up in intensity. Imperial IPA vs DIPA: Is There a Difference? Another beer style you might see is Imperial IPA. Just to be clear, Imperial IPA, DIPA, Double IPA, and IIPA all refer to the same style. One reason the same style of beer can have so many names is that breweries, beer apps, style guides, and blogs like this all use different terms. BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) lists the style as “Double IPA,” while plenty of breweries call them “Imperial.” So, while you could make an argument that there’s an official term for the style, breweries will continue to name beers how they please. What Does a DIPA Taste Like? The flavors you can expect from a DIPA depend entirely on the substyle you drink, but in general, expect: DIPAs Worth Trying If you’re looking for a DIPA to try, the only real recommendation I can make is Pliny the Elder. The original DIPA, Pliny the Elder is perfectly balanced, complex, and deceptively smooth for 8% ABV. If you can find it, buy it. Outside of Pliny, the best DIPA you can try is whatever your local craft brewery is offering. Remember that DIPAs rely on strong hop flavor, and that hop flavor starts to vanish pretty quickly. Freshness is everything with a good DIPA, and your local crat brewery will serve it freshest. DIPA FAQs

The post What Is a DIPA? appeared first on Short Brews.

Does Beer Age Like Wine?

Thomas Short — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 18:21:34 +0000

Yes, beer can age like wine, but only some of it can, depending on the style. Most beer, from your lagers to your IPAs, is brewed to be enjoyed fresh, or as close to fresh as possible. Many flavors in beer break down over time, so older beer loses its balance of flavor and carbonation. But a few styles, mostly the boozy and funky ones, can actually improve in quality over several years, assuming they’re kept in the right conditions. Quick Reference: Beers that Age Like Wine (and Beers that Don’t) Style Ages Well? Why? Ideal Drinking Window Barleywines Yes High ABV and residual sugars keep it going 2–10 years Imperial Stouts Yes Alcohol and malt preserve the beer, while oxidation adds sherry and toffee notes 1–5 years Belgian Strong Ales and Quads Yes Malt-forward, low hop bitterness, so it holds up well 1–5 years Sours and Lambics Yes Brett and Lacto yeasts keep working in the bottle 1–10+ years IPAs and Hazy IPAs No Hop aroma fades within weeks Drink fresh Pilsners and Light Lagers No These are delicate, and they don’t preserve well Drink fresh Wheat Beers No Yeast-driven aromatics fade fast Drink fresh Why Some Beers Age Well Beers age well for different reasons, but the main factor is alcohol and sugar. Alcohol and sugar act as preservatives, and hops don’t. High-ABV beers and those with a lot of residual sugar have more substance for slow oxidation to gradually work with over time. Over the years, something with a bready, malty character can transform into something nuttier, then toffee-like, then eventually sherry-like. This is due to a slow chemical process that requires alcohol and sugar to work. Beers with active Brettanomyces or Lactobacillus (found in most sours and lambics) also age well, but for a different reason. Brett and Lacto are still active in the bottle after packaging, and they continue to change, and often improve, the flavor of the beer. Hops don’t work that way. The aromatic compounds found in hops are volatile and break down over a few weeks or months. If you want the most flavorful IPA, you should pick the freshest option. Beer Styles Worth Cellaring If you want to sit on a beer for a while, these styles tend to improve the most. I say “tend to” because quality is a huge factor, with lower-quality beers aging the wrong way. How to Cellar Beer If you have bottles that you want to age, here are a few tips: Does Cellaring Beer Actually Work? Yes, cellaring beer actually works. I have anywhere from 10-20 beers cellared at any time, and most of them are great once opened. However, not all beer ages well. If a beer wasn’t bottle-conditioned correctly, or if there was something off with the brew, an aged beer can go from ok to terrible.

The post Does Beer Age Like Wine? appeared first on Short Brews.

What Exactly Is a Pint of Beer?

Thomas Short — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 02:21:00 +0000

You’re out at a bar or brewery, and you order a pint. But, depending on where you are, you might not get the amount of beer that you were expecting. The bartender may even pour less than you’re used to. Don’t worry, they aren’t skimping on your pint of beer (probably). A pint of beer is a 16-ounce pour in the United States, or 20 ounces in the UK (called an imperial pint). However, not all beers are 16 or 20 ounces when served as a full pour, and your bartender may assume that asking for a pint means a full pour. How Many Ounces Is a Pint of Beer? In the United States, a pint is a 16-oz pour of beer, which is four ounces more than a standard 12-oz bottle or can. It’s pretty much the universal go-to size at any bar or brewery for lagers and ales. Pint Type Size US Pint 16 oz Imperial Pint (UK/Ireland) 20 oz Half Pint 8 oz An imperial pint is a 20oz pour. If you order a pint in the UK or Ireland, expect to get an imperial pint, since over there, a pint is closer to 20 ounces. Some bars in the US offer imperial pints on certain beers, too, so it’s worth knowing the difference before you assume you’re getting a deal. Then there are airport bars, which sell 22-oz beers. That’s not officially a pint, but I would call a 22-oz beer an “airport pint” if given the naming rights. The “Cheater Pint” Problem Just because you order a pint of beer in the US doesn’t mean you’re getting 16 ounces, because some bars use what’s called a “cheater pint.” The cheater pint is a pint glass that’s supposed to look normal-sized but actually holds just 14 ounces of beer. You’ve maybe noticed out at the bar that some pint glasses are bigger than others, and this could be the culprit. If you do get a full-priced beer in a 14-oz glass, I encourage you to stop frequenting the bar that did that. When a Pint Isn’t 16 or 20 Ounces At a craft brewery, you might order a “pint” of beer, but only get a full-poured 12-oz glass. This is because some beers, like triple IPAs or sours, might have a full pour of just 12 ounces. Don’t blame your bartender, though; it’s pretty common to exchange the terms “full pour” and “pint,” the same as we might interchange “half pour” and “half pint.” Types of Pint Glasses (And Why They’re Different) Depending on where you go, your beer might show up in a glass that looks like it belongs at a wine bar. These are probably chalices, goblets, or tulips, which are designed to hold 12–14oz, though some do hold a full 16oz just to keep things interesting. Why use a specialty glass instead of just marking “12oz” on a standard pint? Because glassware actually affects the beer. Depending on the shape, a glass can bring out more aroma, control how fast bubbles rise, affect the size of the foam head, and change how the beer tastes. It’s not just aesthetics. There are even more niche types of glassware out there, with my personal favorite being the Teku glass. Glassware is a rabbit hole worth going down. How Much Beer Do Steins Hold? Everyone knows that a stein is the big beer mug with a handle, the one you picture at Oktoberfest. Steins can hold anywhere from 16–32oz. A full Oktoberfest-size stein holds nearly 34oz, which is exactly 1 liter for anyone keeping metric score. Knowing your glass sizes matters for a couple of reasons. First, you’ll know how much you’re actually drinking, which helps you pace yourself. Second, the glass tells you something about the beer. Nobody’s pouring PBR into a chalice, and you won’t be drinking a Belgian tripel out of an Oktoberfest stein.

The post What Exactly Is a Pint of Beer? appeared first on Short Brews.

Cider vs Beer: Which Is Actually Healthier? (It Depends)

Thomas Short — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 03:37:12 +0000

Just so nobody is confused, cider and beer are not health foods. However, if you’re looking to make a healthier decision around drinking, then it’s worth knowing whether beer or hard cider is the better option. Beer and cider both have their benefits (or rather, drawbacks). Also, there’s so much variety with beer and cider that it’s hard to make an apples to apples comparison. Even picking a low calorie beer is way healthier than DIPA. So, I’ll compare cider and beer to help you decide which is the healthier option for you, whether that be cutting calories, avoiding gluten, or trying to cut back on sugar. What Beer and Cider Are Actually Made From Despite hard cider often being sold as an alternative to beer, the two drinks don’t have too much in common. Knowing what both drinks are made of can help you figure out which is the best choice for you. What Is Beer Made From? Beer is made from five main ingredients: water, malted grain, hops, yeast, adjuncts (which is anything else added to beer). Hops add flavor and aroma, ranging from bitter to juicy, and are what make ales stand out. The malted grains, usually barley but sometimes wheat or rice, provides the sugar that ferments into alcohol. These malted grains are why most beers contain gluten. During most beer brewing, the majority of the sugars from the grain get eaten by the yeast and turned into alcohol. The lack of remaining sugars is why beer is rarely sweet. On the flip side, what’s leftover are complex carbohydrates, which are the unhealthy type of carbs. What Is Cider Made From? Hard cider is generally made from fermenting apples. Some cideries might add other fruits to the mix, like pear or passion fruit, but apples tend to serve as the main foundation of cider. The natural sugars found in apples are fermented by yeast, and the result is alcohol. Depending on how much sugar is leftover, you’ll end up with one of two main types of cider: Because cider is fruit-based and not grain-based, it’s naturally gluten-free. Beer vs Cider: Calories, Carbs, and Sugar As I alluded to earlier, it’s hard to directly compare beer and cider, since there are different types of beer and cider. But to try and help you break down the health benefits (or lack thereof) of each option, here’s a nice comparison with different options included: Calories (12 oz) Carbs (g) Sugar (g) ABV Gluten Light Beer 90–110 3–6 0–1 3.5–4.5% Yes Standard Beer 140–170 10–15 0–2 4.5–5.5% Yes Craft/IPA 180–250+ 15–25 0–3 6–8%+ Yes Dry Cider 120–150 5–10 0–4 5–7% No Semi-Sweet Cider 150–180 12–18 8–15 4.5–6% No Sweet Cider 180–220 20–30 16–25 4–5.5% No Keep in mind that these aren’t set-in-stone calories, carbs, etc for each option, but a general range to help you make healthier choices. Unsurprisingly, light beer is generally the healthiest option, so long as you aren’t avoiding gluten. Dry cider is a slightly healthier choice than your standard lager or ale, followed by semi-sweet ciders. And, thanks to high levels of carbs and sugars, craft beer and sweet ciders are handily the most unhealthy options. So, with that context, cider isn’t healthier than Michelob Ultra, but a dry cider is definitely a healthier pick than Pliny the Elder. Beer, Cider, and Gluten It’s worth highlighting gluten, especially when it comes to beer. Most beer is brewed with barley or wheat, so the final product will have gluten. However, there are gluten-free and gluten-reduced beers available, and they’re usually brewed with grains like rice or millet. While gluten-free beer has come a long way, there is a noticeable flavor difference between gluten-free beer and standard craft beer. Cider is naturally gluten free, and I’m not sure how a cidery would even go about adding gluten (or why they would). If you have celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or just want to avoid gluten, cider is likely the healthier choice. Cider vs Beer: Which Should You Drink? If you’re still reading this article, then you know the answer is “it depends.” Here’s an easy way for you to pick the “healthier” option: Regardless of which you choose, drinking too many at once is definitely an unhealthy decision to make. FAQ: Beer vs Cider Health

The post Cider vs Beer: Which Is Actually Healthier? (It Depends) appeared first on Short Brews.

Humboldt Cider Co. Review: Semi-Dry and Semi-Sweet Ciders

Thomas Short — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:31:32 +0000

Cider often gets pigeonholed as an alternative to beer, despite the two having nearly nothing in common (aside from being alcoholic). Like beer, there’s a range of cider available, with most styles ranging from sweet to dry. Personally, dry ciders are the most palatable, with some even being downright delicious, while sweet ciders can be difficult to finish. So, when I tried three ciders from Humboldt Cider Co., two semi-sweet and one semi-dry, I had a feeling I would semi-like one of them and semi-dislike two. Here’s what I thought of Humboldt Cider’s Drysdale, Cherry, and Passion of the Fruit. Humboldt Cider Drysdale As the name implies, Drysdale is one of the drier ciders that Humboldt offers. Labeled as a Semi Dry Apple Cider, Drysdale is a blend of different apple varieties. The cider itself is crisp, refreshing, and, to my pleasant surprise, pretty dry. There was just enough sweetness in Drysdale to give it a unique character. I’d be curious to know which apple varieties were included, since the ingredients Humboldt uses come through pretty loud and clear (as I’ll get into soon). Drysdale is 6.9% ABV, as are the other two ciders I tried, and available year-round. Humboldt Cider Cherry The first of the two semi-sweet ciders I tried, Cherry is definitely more sweet than not. Labeled as a Semi Sweet Cherry Cider, it blends crisp apple cider with tart cherries, but whatever tartness was in the cherries did not come through enough for me. Cherry drank very sweet, with strong cherry flavors drowning out most of the crisp flavor you’d expect from cider. Like the other ciders, Cherry is 6.9% ABV and available year-round. If you like sweet ciders and stumble upon Humboldt, this could be worth a try. If you prefer dry, steer clear of Cherry. Humboldt Cider Passion of the Fruit Passion of the Fruit is where things got interesting for me, and I’m glad I tried this last. A Semi Sweet Apple Cider, Passion of the Fruit leans more heavily on apples than cherry seemed to, but ferments it with passion fruit. As you’d expect with a passion fruit drink, this was tropical without going too heavy on the passion fruit flavor. But what was really surprising was just how balanced this cider was despite being semi-sweet. I think the passion fruit does a lot to level out sweet flavors, because while Passion of the Fruit is definitely not dry, it doesn’t have that sugary flavor that too many sweet ciders lean on. Again, Passion of the Fruit is 6.9% ABV and available year-round, and it was my favorite cider of the bunch (no shade to Drysdale, which was great). Final Thoughts: Humboldt Cider Co. Ciders Most ciders I try are largely forgettable, even if they’re something that I liked. I will say that Cherry might have been forgettable, and maybe Drysdale will fade over time (to be clear, it’s a good semi-dry cider), but Passion of the Fruit is one of those drinks that just sticks out to me. It’s the kind of drink that makes me want to try more of Humboldt’s ciders, especially one that looks like it includes Citra and Simcoe hops. Humboldt Cider Co. is available pretty much across California. If you’re looking for a non-beer, 16 oz, not-so-sweet drink, they’re definitely worth a try.

The post Humboldt Cider Co. Review: Semi-Dry and Semi-Sweet Ciders appeared first on Short Brews.

13 Best Light Beers, Ranked for 2026

Thomas Short — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 17:02:15 +0000

Light lagers are an American institution, with Michelob Ultra recently becoming the best-selling beer by volume. It’s interesting that light lagers sell as well as they do, because so many are objectively terrible. However, some light lagers do pass the taste test, and I’d happily enjoy them pretty much any day of the week. So, here are the 13 best light lagers, ranked from best to worst. 1. Kirin Light ABV: 3.2% Calories: 95 Japanese lagers are already light and crisp, but Kirin Light takes it a step further. It’s surprising how much flavor you get out of Kirin Light. You really don’t lose much of the Japanese lager flavor despite the “light” profile, and it unsurprisingly goes great with sushi and ramen. 2. Michelob Ultra ABV: 4.2% Calories: 95 America’s best-selling beer, Michelob Ultra markets itself as an athlete’s go-to alcohol. The only time I ever have Michelob Ultra is on the links, which is part of the reason I ranked it as one of the best golf beers, but I can confirm that it does pair really well with activity. It’s incredibly light but brings just enough real beer flavor to enjoy, though it’s easy to finish these pretty quickly when it’s hot outside. 3. Miller Lite ABV: 4.2% Calories: 96 I’ll always have a soft spot for Miller Lite, which is interesting because I don’t like any of Miller’s other beers. But Miller Lite somehow brings real beer flavor that’s legitimately good to taste. It doesn’t really drink like a light beer the way other beers on this list do, and that’s what sets it apart. 4. Sapporo Light ABV: 3.5% Calories: 99 Another great Japanese lager that thrives as a light beer, Sapporo Light does pretty much everything Kirin Light does, just not as much to my taste. You could easily switch Sapporo Light and Kirin Light on this list and be completely justified; it just comes down to which you prefer more, and Sapporo is my second-favorite light Japanese beer. 5. Heineken Silver ABV: 4% Calories: 95 Heineken Silver appears on a lot of lists of mine for a few reasons. First, Heineken is one of my favorite import beers. Second, Heineken Silver keeps most of that classic Heineken flavor while cutting the calories below 100. While light beer is a distinctly American trend, Heineken Silver is an example of how good European lagers can still be when brewed light. 6. Yuengling Light Lager ABV: 4% Calories: 99 Yuengling Light Lager survives this high on the list in large part because it’s still sort of a novelty to me. Yuengling is not easy to find on the West Coast, but I enjoy getting the Yuengling Light Lager whenever I travel east. If I had unlimited access to Yuengling, then I would maybe rank it lower, but it deserves to live on the top half of this list. 7. Coors Light ABV: 4.2% Calories: 102 This is the final beer that makes the “enjoyable” cut, and sort of just barely. Coors Light doesn’t really have much flavor, and partially by design as it’s marketed to be enjoyed cold, and cold beer tastes better because you can’t taste it at all. But I would consider Coors Light enjoyable because you can’t really taste it, so it’s pretty close to water, and I like drinking water. 8. Corona Light ABV: 4% Calories: 99 I don’t like Corona, but Corona Light gets ranked as highly as it does because it’s better than what follows. Corona Light is essentially a lighter version of Corona Extra, so you’ll still need limes if you want to get any amount of enjoyment from this beer. Without diluting the beer with lime, what little flavor Corona Light offers isn’t enjoyable. 9. Pabst Blue Ribbon Easy ABV: 3.8% Calories: 99 If PBR isn’t light enough for you, the Pabst Blue Ribbon Easy should do the job. And even if PBR is drinkable for you, PBR Easy might not be. The little malty flavor that PBR brings is more or less lost with PBR Easy. Regular PBR is 4.7% ABV and 144 calories. Does saving 50 calories really justify drinking an obviously inferior beer? 10. Bud Light ABV: 4.2% Calories: 110 Trying to find the flavors in Bud Light is a chore. When served cold, Bud Light has a thin beer-adjacent flavor that lingers for way too long. When served warm, Bud Light has a little bit more flavor, but then you’re drinking warm beer that’s still not very good. 11. Keystone Light ABV: 4.1% Calories: 101 What sets Keystone Light apart from other light beers is that it has noticeable flavor, probably a result of the 0.7 grams of protein (!) in each can. You might be able to build muscle drinking Keystone Light! But the flavor from this light beer is thick and unenjoyable, the same way so many protein drinks are. 12. Natural Light ABV: 4.2% Calories: 95 Another high-in-protein light lager, Natural Light has no redeeming qualities. Natty Light drinks more like a light malt liquor than beer, which defeats the purpose entirely since the point of malt liquor is to get a high ABV brew at a low cost. With Natural Light, you get a low ABV at a low cost, but with all the downsides of malt liquor. 13. Busch Light ABV: 4.1% Calories: 95 It was close, but Busch Light wins “Worst Light Lager” from Short Brews. Maybe next year, Natural Light! Busch Light is the least enjoyable of the “light beers marketed to frat bros” category. The beer has no discernible flavor but a very discernible aftertaste that won’t go away. I wish I hadn’t tried it again, but here we are. Final Thoughts: “Best” Light Beer I would only recommend a few of these light beers to friends, because so many of them don’t bring anything to the table. But I like that more breweries are exploring light options, kind of like how non-alcoholic beers are

The post 13 Best Light Beers, Ranked for 2026 appeared first on Short Brews.