Want to keep your carb count to a minimum, but don't want to give up drinking beers?
Well, you don't have to! There are quite a few beers which are low in carbohydrates.
Below, I have compiled a list for you so that you can continue to enjoy this refreshing beverage on a ketogenic diet.
Maybe you will even discover some new favourites!
A Few Quick Things to Note About Low Carb Beers
Before we jump into the list, here are a few useful pointers:
- Low carb beers tend to be light beers. If you do not see any of these beers at the supermarket for whatever reason, look for beers labelled "light." That should get you on the right track.
- Read the label. While low carb beers are usually light beers, not every single light beer you come across is necessarily going to be low enough in carbs to fit in your keto diet. So check the exact count on the label before purchasing.
- Keep your beers in a cold, dark location in order to keep their flavours as rich as possible.
You can expect the vast majority of light beers to fit the following characteristics:
So if you are not used to drinking light beers, be prepared for that. A light beer is not really a replacement for a regular beer, but it can still be refreshing and satisfy your craving.
Now let's dive in with the recommendations!
Top Low Carb Beers to Try
1. Green's Trailblazer
If you are looking for the ultimate low-carb beer, it might be Green's Trailblazer. This beer contains a mere 0.5 carbs.
It also is wheat-free and gluten-free, making it a great choice for a range of dietary needs.
Its flavour is crisp, and it is surprisingly full-bodied (but still mild overall) compared to some other low-carb beers.
If you enjoy Finnish lager, you should find that this keto beer provides you with a similar experience.
3. Sleeman Clear 2.0
This mild Canadian lager is not known for packing a lot in the flavour department. It is however quite low in carbohydrates.
It is an updated version of the original Sleeman Clear.
14. Beck's Premier Light
The calories for this beer are very low, and the carbs are pretty low as well.
But you will notice right off the bat that the alcohol content is significantly reduced compared to your typical beer.
If you are all right with that, you might consider trying it.
Some people make the usual light beer complaints about Beck's Premier Light - that it is thin and doesn't have a lot of flavour.
But those who do enjoy it specifically mention that they found it very flavourful.
So it will all be up to your tastes to decide if this beer is a good option for you on your low-carb diet.
15. Miller Lite
The carbs for Miller Lite are the same as they are for Beck's Premier Light, but the alcohol content is significantly higher.
This beer is a classic; it has been around since 1975. So it is one of the most widely-known options for a bit of low-carb indulgence.
While Miller Lite doesn't have much body, it can be called smooth and refreshing.
Whether you perceive it as tasteless or flavourful will depend on your preferences.
In terms of appearance, this beer has more colour to it than a lot of competing light beers. That is definitely another plus.
Regardless, it has certainly stood the test of time.
20. Amstel Light
From the Netherlands, we have Amstel Light, a well-known beer with ratings which are comparatively higher than most for keto beers.
Amstel Light is slightly sweet and not too bitter. You may like it if you enjoy a stronger hops flavour in your beer.
27. Greens Tripel Blonde Ale
Now we are getting to beers with higher carbs.
If you are on a very low-carb diet, you may not be able to indulge in these that often, but if your restriction is set higher, you might be able to enjoy them on a regular basis.
This particular beer comes from the United Kingdom. As you can see from the name, it is classified as an ale. Sometimes it is referred to by the name "Green's Quest" as well.
When you pour this ale, it has a thicker head than a lot of low-carb beers. It is relatively light in body (arguably a bit on the watery side, but not as much as some lower-carb beers), and has a sweet herbal aroma.
One nice thing about Green's Quest is that it is anything but flavourless. You may pick up notes of grains, fruits and spices.
There is just enough bitterness to balance out the sweeter notes.
This beer is a great "middle of the road" choice. While there are lower-carb options out there, this ale is more satisfying from a taste perspective without being too high in carbs.
29. Sam Adams Light
This lager may be higher in carbs than some of your other options, but it is also more highly-rated than some of the alternatives.
Sam Adams claims that, "It took 2 years of brewing, tasting, and testing to come up with the final recipe for Sam Adams Light. We focused on brewing a flavorful, high quality beer with a light-bodied taste and fewer calories."
You might think that Sam Adams Light is essentially a Sam Adams Boston Lager derivative, but it was brewed to be unique.
Interestingly, Sam Adams also states that, "No other domestic light beer uses only the four classic ingredients of beer: pure water, lager yeast, Noble hops and barley malt."
So for those looking for a "pure" light beer, this may be an ideal choice.
It is also another good "in-between" option. You get a nicer amber colour with the liquid, and more frothiness on top.
The taste is similar to other low-carb beers.
Despite the fact that Sam Adams didn't try to make it like the Boston Lager, it is also pretty comparable to that (just much milder).
30. Guinness Draught
We're pushing the definition of a "low-carb" beer a bit here, but I will make this the highest-carb entry on this list.
While it usually goes under the name "Guinness Draught," you may sometimes see it sold as "Guinness Cold" or "Guinness Extra Cold."
The Guinness Draught is worth mentioning because it is highly rated, and because it is significantly different from most of the other brews on this list.
You will see the difference immediately once you pour.
This beer comes out dark, rather than light and watery. Even the head has a colour which is closer to beige than it is to pure white.
Even with its dark colour however, the Guinness Draught is still a light-bodied beverage.
It is pretty flavourful. Some of the notes you might detect include coffee, nuts, toffee, grain, wood and licorice.
So if you are looking for something distinctive, see if you can get some room in your carb budget to try this one.
Conclusion
You now have a pretty extensive list of light beers to consider trying on a low-carb diet.
It is important to align your expectations with reality before you start trying light beers.
As a rule, they are going to be thinner and less flavourful than other beers.
As such, they may take some getting used to. Once you develop a taste for them however, you may find that you enjoy them a great deal.
The best part is you can go through a bottle or a can without worrying about busting through your carb limit for the day.
While downing a cool, refreshing low-carb beer, you can continue to lose weight and experience all the health benefits of a keto diet.
Just remember that like all good things, low-carb beer is best enjoyed in moderation.