Most Popular Beers With the Most and Fewest Calories

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By Hristina Byrnes Published
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Most Popular Beers With the Most and Fewest Calories

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Americans love beer — and with nearly 9,000 breweries across the U.S., beer lovers have it easy. But cracking open a cold one can be problematic when watching your waistline. The typical 12 ounce can of beer contains 153 calories. That may not seem like much – if you’re only having one beer, but many people drink several in one sitting.

To compile a list of the most popular beers with the most and fewest calories in the world, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the Most Popular Beers survey, conducted by YouGov, an international market and data analytics website. We looked at all 75 beers that made the ranking and selected the 56 for which detailed information, including calories, was available.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in six American adults has about seven drinks, four times a month. Sometimes, the choice of drink may be beer. Depending on the beer, consuming seven beers could amount to anywhere from 700 calories to well over 1,500 which is more than half the typical person’s recommended daily caloric intake.

The CDC defines moderate drinking as no more than two drinks a day for men, and one drink a day for women. For beer drinkers, what this means in terms of calories can vary dramatically, depending on the beer. Certain light beers, such as Corona Light, contain fewer than 100 calories per bottle or can. A Samuel Adams’, on the other hand, contains around 225 calories.

According to a 2019 Gallup poll, some 63% of American adults drink alcohol — and the favored beverage among them is beer. Some 42% of American drinkers prefer beer, and these are the best beers in every state and D.C.

Click here to see most popular beers with the most and fewest calories

To compile a list of the beers with the most and fewest calories in the world, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the Most Popular Beers survey, conducted by YouGov, an international market and data analytics website. We looked at all 75 beers that made the ranking and selected the 56 for which detailed information was available. Information on calories came from various food and nutrition databases such as Nutrionix and CalorieKing. Information on alcohol by volume and International Bitterness Units, a gauge of beer’s bitterness, came from Untappd, a beer rating app. IBUs measure the parts per million of isohumulone found in a beer. IBU is a scale that goes from 1 to 100, with 100 being the most bitter.

Courtesy of Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer

56. Bon & Viv
> Calories in 12 oz.: 90
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.5%
> Bitterness (IBU): No IBU
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #64 most popular out of 75

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Courtesy of Clausthaler

55. Clausthaler
> Calories in 12 oz.: 92
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 0.5%
> Bitterness (IBU): 29
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #75 most popular out of 75

[recirclink id=890685]

Courtesy of Saint Archer Brewery

54. Saint Archer Gold
> Calories in 12 oz.: 95
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.2%
> Bitterness (IBU): No IBU
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #66 most popular out of 75

naturallight.com

53. Natural Light
> Calories in 12 oz.: 95
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.2%
> Bitterness (IBU): No IBU
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #44 most popular out of 75

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Busch Light Fans / Twitter

52. Busch Light
> Calories in 12 oz.: 95
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.1%
> Bitterness (IBU): No IBU
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #32 most popular out of 75

michelobultra.com

51. Michelob Ultra
> Calories in 12 oz.: 95
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.2%
> Bitterness (IBU): 10
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #17 most popular out of 75

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Millerlite.com

50. Miller Lite
> Calories in 12 oz.: 96
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.2%
> Bitterness (IBU): 10
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #15 most popular out of 75

[recirclink id=863449]

heineken.com

49. Heineken Light
> Calories in 12 oz.: 99
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 3.3%
> Bitterness (IBU): 12
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #24 most popular out of 75

Austin Kirk / Flickr

48. Corona Light
> Calories in 12 oz.: 99
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.0%
> Bitterness (IBU): 18
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #11 most popular out of 75

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Courtesy of White Claw

47. White Claw
> Calories in 12 oz.: 100
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.0%
> Bitterness (IBU): No IBU
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #39 most popular out of 75

nparker13 / Flickr

46. Coors Light
> Calories in 12 oz.: 102
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.2%
> Bitterness (IBU): 10
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #16 most popular out of 75

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keystonelight.com

45. Keystone Light
> Calories in 12 oz.: 104
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.1%
> Bitterness (IBU): 7
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #50 most popular out of 75

[recirclink id=651438]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/24736216@N07/

44. Amstel
> Calories in 12 oz.: 104
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.0%
> Bitterness (IBU): 21
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #49 most popular out of 75

Courtesy of walmart.com

43. Michelob Light
> Calories in 12 oz.: 110
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.1%
> Bitterness (IBU): No IBU
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #23 most popular out of 75

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Budlight.com

42. Bud Light
> Calories in 12 oz.: 110
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.2%
> Bitterness (IBU): 6
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #10 most popular out of 75

https://www.flickr.com/photos/55267995@N04/

41. Bud Light Lime
> Calories in 12 oz.: 116
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.2%
> Bitterness (IBU): 8
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #43 most popular out of 75

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40. Yanjing
> Calories in 12 oz.: 125
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.0%
> Bitterness (IBU): 18
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #72 most popular out of 75

[recirclink id=855065]

VanderWolf-Images / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

39. Guinness Draught
> Calories in 12 oz.: 126
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.2%
> Bitterness (IBU): 45
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #1 most popular out of 75

courtesy of walmart.com

38. Natural Ice
> Calories in 12 oz.: 130
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.9%
> Bitterness (IBU): 5
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #38 most popular out of 75

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Courtesy of LCBO

37. Rolling Rock Extra Pale
> Calories in 12 oz.: 132
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.4%
> Bitterness (IBU): 5
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #25 most popular out of 75

biffspandex / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

36. Molson Canadian
> Calories in 12 oz.: 136
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.0%
> Bitterness (IBU): 15
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #45 most popular out of 75

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Austin Kirk / Flickr

35. Bud Light Platinum
> Calories in 12 oz.: 139
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.0%
> Bitterness (IBU): 12
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #36 most popular out of 75

[recirclink id=539739]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mrseb/

34. Yuengling Lager
> Calories in 12 oz.: 140
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.5%
> Bitterness (IBU): 16
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #42 most popular out of 75

monticelllo / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

33. Miller Genuine Draft
> Calories in 12 oz.: 140
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.7%
> Bitterness (IBU): 12
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #20 most popular out of 75

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32. Tecate
> Calories in 12 oz.: 141
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.5%
> Bitterness (IBU): 14
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #40 most popular out of 75

Scott Olson / Getty Images

31. Miller High Life
> Calories in 12 oz.: 141
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.6%
> Bitterness (IBU): 7
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #21 most popular out of 75

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dosequis.com

30. Dos Equis
> Calories in 12 oz.: 141
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.2%
> Bitterness (IBU): 10
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #12 most popular out of 75

[recirclink id=900088]

asbe / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

29. Beck’s
> Calories in 12 oz.: 143
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.9%
> Bitterness (IBU): 21
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #31 most popular out of 75

Hawyih / Wikimedia Commons

28. Harbin
> Calories in 12 oz.: 144
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 3.6%
> Bitterness (IBU): No IBU
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #65 most popular out of 75

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Courtesy of Milwaukee's Best

27. Milwaukee’s Best Ice
> Calories in 12 oz.: 144
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.9%
> Bitterness (IBU): No IBU
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #57 most popular out of 75

bensutherland / Flickr

26. Foster’s
> Calories in 12 oz.: 145
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.0%
> Bitterness (IBU): 12
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #41 most popular out of 75

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Courtesy of Keystone

25. Keystone
> Calories in 12 oz.: 145
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.2%
> Bitterness (IBU): No IBU
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #35 most popular out of 75

[recirclink id=853742]

walmart.com

24. Coors Banquet
> Calories in 12 oz.: 145
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.0%
> Bitterness (IBU): 15
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #29 most popular out of 75

NoDerog / Getty Images

23. Modelo Especial
> Calories in 12 oz.: 145
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.5%
> Bitterness (IBU): 18
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #28 most popular out of 75

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Drew Angerer / Getty Images

22. Pabst Blue Ribbon
> Calories in 12 oz.: 145
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.8%
> Bitterness (IBU): 10
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #19 most popular out of 75

pjohnson1 / Getty Images

21. Budweiser
> Calories in 12 oz.: 145
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.0%
> Bitterness (IBU): 12
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #6 most popular out of 75

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20. St. Pauli Girl
> Calories in 12 oz.: 148
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.0%
> Bitterness (IBU): 20
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #34 most popular out of 75

[recirclink id=855443]

Scott Olson / Getty Images

19. Corona Extra
> Calories in 12 oz.: 148
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.6%
> Bitterness (IBU): 18
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #18 most popular out of 75

Getty Images / Getty Images

18. Heineken
> Calories in 12 oz.: 148
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.0%
> Bitterness (IBU): 19
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #4 most popular out of 75

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Courtesy of Icehouse

17. Icehouse
> Calories in 12 oz.: 149
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.5%
> Bitterness (IBU): No IBU
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #51 most popular out of 75

16. Red Stripe
> Calories in 12 oz.: 149
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.7%
> Bitterness (IBU): 23
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #47 most popular out of 75

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15. Peroni Nastro Azzurro
> Calories in 12 oz.: 150
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.1%
> Bitterness (IBU): No IBU
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #63 most popular out of 75

[recirclink id=890685]

buschbucks.com

14. Busch
> Calories in 12 oz.: 150
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.3%
> Bitterness (IBU): No IBU
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #14 most popular out of 75

NoDerog / Getty Images

13. Modelo
> Calories in 12 oz.: 153
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.5%
> Bitterness (IBU): 18
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #13 most popular out of 75

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lleerogers / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

12. Stella Artois
> Calories in 12 oz.: 154
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.0%
> Bitterness (IBU): 24
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #7 most popular out of 75

BeeBright / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

11. TsingTao
> Calories in 12 oz.: 157
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.7%
> Bitterness (IBU): 25
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #60 most popular out of 75

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Courtesy of New Belgium Brewing

10. Fat Tire
> Calories in 12 oz.: 160
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.2%
> Bitterness (IBU): 22
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #26 most popular out of 75

[recirclink id=863449]

alper / Flickr

9. Hitachino
> Calories in 12 oz.: 165
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.5%
> Bitterness (IBU): 13
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #69 most popular out of 75

jfmdesign / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

8. Negra Modelo
> Calories in 12 oz.: 165
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.4%
> Bitterness (IBU): 16
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #33 most popular out of 75

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Kathy Byrd / iStock via Getty Images

7. Redd’s Apple Ale
> Calories in 12 oz.: 165
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.0%
> Bitterness (IBU): 10
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #30 most popular out of 75

6. Radeberger
> Calories in 12 oz.: 167
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.8%
> Bitterness (IBU): 33
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #71 most popular out of 75

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120143184@N05 / Flickr

5. Belgian White Shock Top
> Calories in 12 oz.: 167
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.2%
> Bitterness (IBU): 10
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #53 most popular out of 75

[recirclink id=651438]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/doobybrain/

4. Blue Moon
> Calories in 12 oz.: 170
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.4%
> Bitterness (IBU): 9
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #3 most popular out of 75

vicm / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

3. Samuel Adams
> Calories in 12 oz.: 175
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.0%
> Bitterness (IBU): 30
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #5 most popular out of 75

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Ted Thompson / Flickr

2. Steel Reserve
> Calories in 12 oz.: 222
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.1%
> Bitterness (IBU): No IBU
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #56 most popular out of 75

1. Tripel Karmeliet
> Calories in 12 oz.: 245
> Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.4%
> Bitterness (IBU): 16
> Popularity rank in 2021 YouGov survey: #74 most popular out of 75

Photo of Hristina Byrnes
About the Author Hristina Byrnes →

Hristina Byrnes is the editor of 247Tempo.com, where she handles the site's assignments and editing. She holds a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University, which she earned in 2012, and she specializes in translating complex health data research into engaging, accessible stories for a general audience.

When she's not poring over the latest data sets or brainstorming story ideas, you can find Hristina watching tennis, playing tennis with her son, or trying to get her daughter into tennis.

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