Light Beer VS. Craft Beer- Sacrificing Taste For Calories?

Light Beer?

Let’s face the facts. We are craft beer people in a craft beer world. It is also the start of the new year, which means New year, new you. Diets, working out, and getting into shape are a theme in the beginning of the year, and beer doesn’t exactly fit in.

If you are cutting calories, more than likely you are cutting out the beer.

But, what if you can have both the health and the beer?

There are whole marketing departments dedicated to this question. Although, when you cut the carbs you also tend to cut the flavor. Which leads to the question, can craft beer be light beer? or even light beer adjacent?

According to Beer Advocate:

“Bottom line is that the vast majority of light beers have been watered down. While they contain only slightly less alcohol, the carbohydrates have been cut in some cases well beyond half. Unfortunately, they have also been stripped of their flavor, aroma, and body as a result. And, as the alcohol content is only slightly less, the overall calorie difference between a regular beer and its light beer counterpart … well, it is hardly worth worrying about. Why? As stated, beer gets most of its calories from alcohol.”

Light beer’s claim to fame is less calories. Pilsners are arguably the closest thing to light beers that craft allows. Rounding about the 5% ABV range, they taste hoppy, but not overpowering.

PC Pils by Founders has an ABV of 5.5% and holds 165 calories.

Bud Light has an ABV of 4.20% and holds 145 calories.

Doesn’t seem like that much of a difference, does it?

Michelob Ultra is a 4.2% ABV and 96 calorie beer. The target audience and market is for those with an active lifestyle.

You can have an active lifestyle and still drink the craft beer and get all the taste you want, just maybe work a little harder to get it off.

Craft Beer may not be the best health decision, but when it comes to flavor, it is the best answer.

Until next time beer snobs!