Most Popular Beers With the Most and Fewest Calories

Special Report

Published: August 2, 2021 1:00 pm

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.

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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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

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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

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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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

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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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

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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

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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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

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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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

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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

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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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

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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yanjing (CC BY-SA 2.0) by hmcharg

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

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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

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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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

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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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

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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

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

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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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

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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

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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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

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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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

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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

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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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

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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St. Pauli Girl (CC BY 2.0) by kundl

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

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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

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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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

red stripe (CC BY-SA 2.0) by radiobread

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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Peroni Nastro Azzurro (CC BY-SA 2.0) by warrenski

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

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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

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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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

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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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

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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

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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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

Radeberger (CC BY 2.0) by ilovebutter

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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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

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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

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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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

Tripel Karmeliet (CC BY 2.0) by Marco Raaphorst

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

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