What you’ll learn:
- The calorie content of beer depends mostly on its alcohol level (ABV), ingredients, and added flavorings, so always check the label.
- Drinking beer in moderation isn’t likely to cause weight gain, but regular heavy drinking can quickly add extra calories.
- You can still enjoy beer while supporting your health goals by choosing lighter options, watching portion sizes, and being mindful of your intake.
Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in the U.S., offering a wide range of styles to suit any palate, from crisp lagers to rich stouts. But not all beers are created equal, especially when it comes to calories. You probably know this by how they look and taste. Some are light and refreshing, while others feel more like a meal in a glass.
That’s because the calories in beer can vary significantly. A bottled light lager might have about 100 calories, while a draft IPA or stout can pack 200 calories or more.
But do the calories in beer cause weight gain? That’s not so clear. While it’s true that drinking too much beer can derail weight loss, most studies say you don’t have to give up your favorite beer to stay on track with your health goals. What you do have to do is embrace the idea of moderation.
By learning about the calorie content and characteristics of your favorite beers, you can make informed choices and enjoy the occasional cold one without compromising your progress. Moderation and mindfulness are key to balancing enjoyment with your health goals.
At Noom, we’re all about balance—because wellness shouldn’t mean giving up the things you love. Let’s break down the facts on the calories in beer and how you can sip smarter while still enjoying every drop.
The calorie content of beer varies depending on how it’s made. The three things that dictate how many calories are in a beer are alcohol content by volume (ABV), ingredients used, and extra additions for flavor. Let’s take a look at how they influence calories:
3 things that determine the calories in beer
- Alcohol content: Alcohol is the single biggest contributor to beer calories, packing about 7 calories per gram. Beers with higher ABV contain more calories, so keeping an eye on ABV is a quick way to estimate the calorie count in your brew. How do you do this? It’s on every label and usually posted at breweries. You can also use Noom’s food lookup tool to easily find calorie and nutrient details for a variety of beers.
- Ingredients and fermentation: What a beer is made with has an impact on its calorie content. The type and quantity of malted grains determine how much sugar ends up in a beer. Even beers with lower alcohol can still be high in calories if they contain more residual sugar. Fruit beers, spiced ales, and dessert-inspired brews often include unfermentable ingredients that raise the calorie content without raising the alcohol level.
- Flavors and additions: Beyond the core ingredients, many craft beers include extra flavorings like chocolate, vanilla, spices, or fruit syrups. These ingredients are often added after fermentation and don’t get broken down, so they contribute additional calories without increasing alcohol content.
💡 Beer myth: A dark beer has more calories. Contrary to popular belief, darker beers aren’t always higher in calories. Some stouts, despite their rich, bold flavors, can actually have fewer calories than lighter-colored lagers. The color might be deceiving, so always check the label or look up the calorie count for the real story.
Here’s a look at a few popular types of beer and how many calories they usually contain:
| Beer type | Calories | Carbs (g) | Avg. ABV | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-alcoholic/low-ABV | 50-100 | 10-20 | 0.5-2% | Athletic Brewing Co., Heineken 0.0 |
| Light beers | 80-100 | 5-7 | 3.5-4.2% | Michelob Ultra, Coors Light, Amstel Light |
| Lagers and pilsners | 150 | 12 | 4-5% | Budweiser, Heineken |
| Sours/farmhouse ales | 150-180 | 10-15 | 4-6% | Rodenbach Classic, Saison Dupont |
| Stouts and porters | 180-220 | 18-22 | 4.5-6.5% | Guinness Stout, Founders Porter |
| IPAs (India pale ales) | 200-240 | 15-20 | 6-7% | Sierra Nevada Torpedo, Lagunitas IPA |
| Belgian ales | 220-300 | 20-30 | 7-12% | Chimay Red (Dubbel), Westmalle Tripel |
| Barrel-aged beers | 250-300+ | 20-30+ | 8-14% | Goose Island Bourbon County, Firestone Parabola |
As you can see, calories generally increase with ABV because alcohol is the biggest driver of calories in beer. But keep in mind: even low-ABV or non-alcoholic beers can be higher in calories if they contain added sugars or sweet flavorings.
💡Quick tip: As a rule of thumb, check the ABV first—it’s usually the clearest clue to how calorie-dense your beer might be.
How to estimate the calories in a beer by ABV
Most beers, especially those from microbreweries, don’t have the calorie count on the label, but all beers have to have the ABV listed by law. You can estimate the calories in a 12-ounce beer using a simple formula:
Calories ≈ ABV × 2.5 × ounces
This method, recommended by sources like Upstream Brewing and Homebrew Academy, gives a reliable estimate based on alcohol content alone.
While most beers in the U.S. are served in 12-oz or 16-oz (U.S. pint) servings, we’ve also included a 20-oz column to account for imperial pints, which are standard in the UK and sometimes used in American craft beer bars for British-style pours. Use this chart to quickly estimate how many calories you’re sipping based on your beer’s ABV and pour size.
| ABV (%) | 12 oz | 16 oz | 20 oz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 | 144 | 192 | 240 |
| 3.5 | 168 | 224 | 280 |
| 4.0 | 192 | 256 | 320 |
| 4.5 | 216 | 288 | 360 |
| 5.0 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
| 5.5 | 264 | 352 | 440 |
| 6.0 | 288 | 384 | 480 |
| 6.5 | 312 | 416 | 520 |
| 7.0 | 336 | 448 | 560 |
| 7.5 | 360 | 480 | 600 |
| 8.0 | 384 | 512 | 640 |
| 8.5 | 408 | 544 | 680 |
| 9.0 | 432 | 576 | 720 |
Do the calories in beer cause weight gain?
Beer and weight gain is a topic that has puzzled many. Let’s break it down based on research findings.
- The impact of larger quantities: Drinking beer in moderation might not have a big impact on your waistline, but larger amounts can add up. Research shows that men who drink about 33 ounces of beer a day (about 3 12-ounce bottles of beer) are more likely to see an increase in waist size compared to lighter drinkers. That’s likely because the calories from beer can add up fast, especially when it becomes a daily habit.
- How men and women differ: When it comes to beer and weight gain, men and women may respond differently. In men, higher beer intake is more clearly linked to abdominal weight gain. But for women, the picture is a little more complicated. Studies suggest that moderate beer consumption doesn’t have a strong connection to increased waist size, and in some cases, very light drinking may even have a neutral or slightly protective effect. Still, everyone’s body is different, and moderation is key, no matter your gender.
- When alcohol adds up: Heavy drinking—defined as consuming 30 grams (about 2.5 12-ounce beers) or more of alcohol per day—shows a clear connection to weight gain. By the way, this is true regardless of whether you’re sipping beer, wine, or spirits. On the other hand, moderate drinking doesn’t seem to have a major impact on body weight for most healthy adults.
- Moderation makes a difference: If you’re enjoying beer in moderation, research suggests your body weight might not change significantly. Another study indicates that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption is generally not associated with significant weight gain. Even so, factors like lifestyle, drinking patterns, and genetic predispositions can influence the relationship between alcohol and weight.
Beer isn’t inherently to blame for weight gain. How much you drink and how it fits into your overall lifestyle will determine how it affects you. Moderate drinking is unlikely to have a big impact on your weight, but in excess can definitely tip the scale. So, enjoy a pint occasionally, but keep an eye on how it fits into your daily habits.
Read more: Is beer healthy? Here’s what you need to know
Tips for enjoying beer with your health in mind
You can still have your favorite beer without throwing your health goals off track. It’s all about finding that sweet spot that combines enjoyment with moderation. Here’s how to do it:
- Go for the lighter options when you can. Reach for beers with lower calories or alcohol content.
- Keep an eye on your pour size. Using smaller glasses can help you sip smarter. A bottle of beer is generally 12 ounces, while a pint can be 16 ounces or more.
- Set a beverage plan before social events. Decide how many drinks you’ll have ahead of time, and stick to it.
- Take time to really taste your beer. Slow down and savor each sip. Mindful eating practices can be applied to drinks, too!
- Think of your daily calories like a budget. If you’re planning to have a beer, be sure to track it to see how it fits into your day.
Want to learn more about mindful eating and drinking at gatherings? Check out our guide on making healthier choices in social settings.
Making informed choices with beer
Beer can fit into a balanced lifestyle when enjoyed mindfully. By understanding the factors that influence its calorie content—such as alcohol level, ingredients, and portion size—you can make choices that align with your health goals. Whether you prefer a light lager or a bold stout, the key is moderation and awareness of how your drink fits into your overall habits. Beer doesn’t have to derail your progress if approached thoughtfully.
At Noom, we believe wellness isn’t about giving up the things you love but learning how to enjoy them in a way that works for your goals. By opting for lighter beers when possible, sipping mindfully, and tracking your intake, you can savor your favorite brews. Remember, it’s not about restriction—it’s about balance, enjoyment, and making informed choices. Cheers to finding what works for you!
