By fermenting grains, such as barley and wheat, which contain carbohydrates, brewers make beer. There are also added sugars in most beers, which also raises the amount of carbohydrates in the drink.
According to the fermentation process, the amount of grains and added sugars that remain in the beer varies.
People who track their consumption of carbohydrates may want to restrict the quantity of beer they drink.
This article lists, along with other ingredients, 28 common beers and their carbohydrate content. This info is from the company’s websites.
Bud
Bud is very popular and is available as regular or light.
Bud Light
Bud Light contains:
- water
- barley
- rice
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-ounce (oz) serving:
- carbs: 6.6 grams (g)
- calories: 110
- protein: .9 g
- alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.2%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Budweiser
Budweiser contains:
- barley
- rice
- hops
- water
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 10.6 g
- calories: 145
- protein: n.d.
- ABV: 5%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Miller
There are several Miller varieties that contain varying quantities of carbohydrates, alcohol, and other nutrients.
Miller Genuine Draft
Miller Genuine Draft contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- yeast
- hop extract
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 12.2 g
- calories: 141
- protein: less than 1 g
- ABV: 4.6%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Miller Lite
Miller Lite contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- yeast
- hop extract
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 3.2 g
- calories: 96
- protein: less than 1 g
- ABV: 4.2%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Miller High Life
Miller High Life contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- yeast
- hop extract
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 12.2 g
- calories: 141
- protein: less than 1 g
- ABV: 4.6%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Miller High Life Light
Miller High Life light contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- yeast
- hop extract
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 6.2 g
- calories: 107
- protein: less than 1 g
- ABV: 4.1
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Miller64
Miller64 contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- yeast
- hop extract
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 2.4 g
- calories: 64
- protein: less than 1 g
- ABV: 2.8%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Modelo
Modelo is another popular beer available in these varieties:
Modelo Especial
Modelo Especial contains:
- water
- barley malt
- non-malted cereals
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 13.7 g
- calories: 144
- protein: 1.1 g
- ABV: 4.4%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Modelo Negra
Modelo Negra contains:
- water
- barley malt
- non-malted cereals
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 15.8 g
- calories: 173
- protein: 1.5 g
- ABV: 5.4%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Blue Moon
Blue Moon is a wheat beer available in two common varieties:
Blue Moon Belgian White
Blue Moon Belgian White contains:
- water
- barley malt
- yeast
- wheat
- hop extract
- oats
- orange peel
- coriander
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 14.1 g
- calories: 168
- protein: 1.9 g
- ABV: 5.4
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Blue Moon Honey Wheat
Blue Moon Honey Wheat contains:
- water
- barley malt
- yeast
- wheat
- hops
- corn syrup
- honey
- orange peel
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 11.7 g
- calories: 153
- protein: 1.4 g
- ABV: 5.2%
- not vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Corona
Corona is a Mexican beer also available in a couple of varieties:
Corona Extra
Corona Extra contains:
- water
- barley malt
- non-malted cereals
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 13.9 g
- calories: 148
- protein: 1.2 g
- ABV: 4.6%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Corona Light
Corona Light contains:
- water
- barley malt
- non-malted cereals
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 4.8 g
- calories: 99
- protein: 0.8 g
- ABV: 4.0%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Coors
Coors is available in several varieties:
Coors Banquet
Coors Banquet contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- yeast
- hop extract
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 11.7 g
- calories: 147
- protein: 1 g
- ABV: 5.0%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Coors Light
Coors Light contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- hop extract
- lager yeast
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 5 g
- calories: 102
- protein: less than 1 g
- ABV: 4.2%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Other beers
Here are some more popular beers and their nutrition content:
Guiness Draught
Guiness Draught contains:
- roasted malted barley
- hops
- yeast
- water
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 16-oz serving:
- carbs: 14 g
- calories: 198
- protein: 2 g
- ABV: 4.2%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Stella Artois Lager
Stella Artois Lager contains:
- barley
- hops
- water
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 11.2-oz serving:
- carbs: 10.9 g
- calories: 141
- protein: n.a.
- ABV: 5%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Dos Equis Lager Especial
Dos Equis Lager Especial contains:
- water
- malted barley
- corn starch
- corn syrup
- hops
- ascorbic acid
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 11 g
- calories: 131
- protein: n.a.
- ABV: 4.2%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Natural Light
Natural Light contains:
- water
- barley malt
- cereal grains
- yeast
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 3.2 g
- calories: 95
- protein: 0.7 g
- ABV: 4.2%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Michelob Ultra
Michelob Ultra contains:
- water
- barley
- rice
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 2.6 g
- calories: 95
- protein: 0.7 g
- ABV: 4.2%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Busch
Busch contains:
- water
- barley
- rice
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 6.9 g
- calories: 114
- protein: 0.9 g
- ABV: 4.3%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Busch Light
Busch Light contains:
- water
- barley
- rice
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 3.2 g
- calories: 95
- protein: 0.7 g
- ABV: 4.1%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Keystone Light
Keystone Light contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- yeast
- hop extract
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 4.7 g
- calories: 101
- protein: less than 1 g
- ABV: 4.1%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Keystone Premium
Keystone premium contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- yeast
- hop extract
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 5.0 g
- calories: 108
- protein: less than 1 g
- ABV: 4.4%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Olde English 800
Olde English 800 contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- yeast
- hop extract
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 10.8 g
- calories: 161
- protein: 1.1 g
- ABV: 5.9%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Saint Archer Blonde Ale
Saint Archer Blonde Ale contains:
- water
- barley malt
- wheat
- yeast
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 12.6 g
- calories: 149
- protein: 1.4 g
- ABV: 4.8%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Saint Archer Double IPA
Saint Archer Double IPA contains:
- water
- barley malt
- yeast
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 15.3 g
- calories: 233
- protein: 1.9 g
- ABV: 8.3%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Sol
Sol contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- yeast
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 11.6 g
- calories: 138
- protein: less than 1 g
- ABV: 4.5%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Drinking fewer calories
By drinking the ‘light’ options, a person may reduce the amount of calories they consume from beer.
People can also try:
- drinking water between each beer, as the water will make the person feel more full, as well hydrating them
- focusing on sipping drinks slowly to avoid having to buy as many beers
- avoiding drinking beers late at night
- avoiding drinking on an empty stomach, as a full stomach will mean a person cannot drink as many beers
- avoiding mixing beer with drinks that contain caffeine, such as energy drinks, coffee, and tea, as these can prolong periods of drinking
- trying to cut back to one beer a night, then skipping beer for a few days at a time
The American Heart Association recommends that no more than two alcoholic beverages be consumed per day by men and no more than one by women.
They class the following as one drink:
- a 1.5-oz serving of 80-proof spirits
- a 4-oz glass of wine
- a 12-oz beer
Summary
Based on many factors, such as ingredients and total sugar levels, the quantities of carbs in common beers can differ.
In general, light beers are lower than many of their full-flavored counterparts in both calories and carbohydrates.
In diets which severely restrict carbohydrates, beer may not have a position. Few light beers with very few carbohydrates, however, may be ideal for individuals on less restrictive diets.
