Make a smart switch to the lowest calorie beers without compromising on flavour. There are very few pleasures that can top a refreshing pint after a long day, but your average pint of beer is loaded with carbohydrates and sugar, which can potentially derail a day of healthy eating. Nowadays, however, there are a ton of fantastic lagers and IPAs that are low-calorie and don't skimp out on flavour from some of your favourite brewers.
We've picked some of our very favourites from across the internet and shops across the UK, choosing only the very best and highest-rated brews that are bound to knock your socks off. From no alcohol to gluten-free and vegan, these are the most accessible beers we could find for a great price, so say goodbye to guilt, kick back and enjoy.
Best lowest calorie beers at a glance
• Best overall IPA: Beavertown Neck Oil – View on Sainsburys
• Best for lowest calories: Tennent's Light Lager Cans – View on Drinkwell
• Best low-calorie lager: SkinnyBrands Premium Lager – View on Amazon UK
If, however, you're looking for a once-in-a-while treat to enjoy on the weekend – nothing can quite compete with a true craft beer, lovingly crafted by master brewers. We've gathered the best craft beers from IPAs, APAs, lagers and Weiss beers from across the UK for your viewing pleasure - don't miss out.
A beer is only as good as the glass it's poured in, find the perfect glass for you and explore the world of beer with these incredible craft beer glasses that are bound to boost flavour.
By the way, if you're vegan and are looking for more options for yourself on a night out, why not check out our comprehensive guide to vegan alcohol, covering a range of beers, wines and spirits?
Best lowest calorie beers
Best overall IPA
www.sainsburys.co.uk
Beavertown Neck Oil is an absolute classic IPA and has found its way into pubs across the UK, and for good reason. A single sip and you'll feel the zap of those tangy, tropical hop flavours, the crisp and slightly dry finish, and soon you'll be returning for several more sips. Neck Oil is a light and bright low calorie beer that delivers flavour in spades, we cannot recommend it enough.
Customer review: "I first came across Neck Oil in pubs and when you are spending that much money on a pint it is worth spending it on quality. I'm glad to see it is now available from Sainsbury's. So much flavour in this IPA."
Pros
- Award-winning
- Light and zingy
- Vegan
Cons
- Not gluten free
Best for lowest calories
drinkwelluk.com
Made in Scotland, this crisp and malty-tasting Tennent's Light Lager is just 63 calories per serving. It's made from 100 per cent Scottish-grown cereals and fresh water from Lock Katrine, in the Highlands. With 37.5 per cent fewer calories than other light beers, it's the lowest calorie lager available in Scotland.
Customer review: "My husband is diabetic and this lager has made him a very happy man, no sugar spike and only a few carbs, now he feels like he's having a beer with with the rest of us."
Pros
- Very low calorie
- Gluten-free
- Vegan-friendly
Cons
- Cans taste different to bottles of this lager
Best low-calorie lager
This top pick is a delicious premium lager that is light, flavourful, and affordable. This is the perfect lager to complement a lean barbeque, or a healthy vegan meal, without skimping out on flavour. Gone is that awful bloated feeling, along with the guilty conscience of having a few too many beers. It's a beer worth savouring.
Customer review: "Great taste, great price and quick delivery, only criticism, they come in cases of 12 had to buy two cases last time."
Pros
- Suitable for a range of dietary requirements
- Award-winning gluten-free beer
- Highly praised on Amazon
Cons
- Some customers felt it was under-flavoured
Best low-calorie craft lager
Made famous by its appearance on Dragon's Den, Gen!us Craft lager is an award-winning brew that uses unique and flavourful hop and malt varieties to deliver the same flavourful punch of a proper craft beer without the countless calories. Zesty, fresh, and moreish, Gen!us craft lager is one of the top contenders for the best craft lagers available.
Customer review: "I have been looking for a while to find a Craft Lager which combined the best taste with low calories and the right alcohol content. Genius does all these things and I have just ordered my second case. Clearly brewed with passion as well as supporting a fine and worthy charity. BUY this beer NOW."
Pros
- Award winning low-calorie craft beer
- IPA also available
- Raises money for MND charity
Cons
- Not to everyone's taste
Best low-calorie BrewDog IPA
www.waitrose.com
BrewDog's Punk IPA is one of our favourite beers of all time, and rightly so. It's full of delicious, hoppy, zesty flavour that'll keep you coming back after each sip, but how's their gluten-free version? Well, it certainly doesn't disappoint, BrewDog's brought the same bold and uncompromising flavour to this lower-calorie IPA without skimping out on its instantly recognisable flavour. As well as being gluten-free, it's also completely vegan – fantastic.
Customer review: "Really good gluten-free IPA, decent bitterness and a decent strength in 5.4%. Will certainly buy again"
Pros
- Gluten-free
- Vegan
- Fruity flavours
Cons
- Higher alcohol content than others
Most refreshing low calorie lager
Jubel is an incredibly light and moreish beer that isn't really like a beer at all. Most of the flavour comes from the real fruit Jubel use, which isn't as overpoweringly sweet as cider. This is the perfect beer for someone who isn't a huge fan of beer, but doesn't want to start on the gin just yet.
Customer review: "I'm not a beer drinker and I'm not a huge fan of flavoured beers and ciders, but these are so lovely to drink, especially in the hot weather. The elderflower one is my favourite but they are all great to be honest. The flavour is subtle and really refreshing. Highly recommend them.
Pros
- Low sugar
- No additives
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
Cons
- Not for those who dislike fruity flavours
Best alcohol free IPA
www.tesco.com
Enjoy the taste of beer without the needless hangover the next day, Beavertown's Lazer Crush is tangy, piney, fresh and exciting, with fruit flavour to boot. Brewed with the same care and love that Beavertown gives its other IPAs, if you're craving a brew but want to stay sober, Lazer Crush is an excellent choice.
Customer review: "This is the best AF (almost) beer I have tasted, and I've tried a lot. Interesting, full flavour. It is quite floral/fruity so may not be to everyone's taste. Very satisfying and doesn't have that empty watery core like some AF beers."
Pros
- Low alcohol content
- Fruity
- Full-on flavour
Cons
- Fruity flavour is not to everyone's taste
Best low calorie supermarket beer
www.sainsburys.co.uk
One of Italy's most popular beers, Peroni Nastro Azzurro Stile Capri is light and refreshing. With notes of lemon, it has a crisp and clean taste. It's delightful when chilled and sipped from the bottle. Get three bottles for around £5.
Customer review: "As a real ale drinker normally I wasn't expecting to enjoy these as much as I did. I found them nice and light / refreshing. Would be perfect well chilled on a hot summer day. Couldn't really taste the citrus, but that doesn't bother me."
Pros
- Refreshing alternative taste
- Lovely summery beer
- Good value
Cons
- Higher in calories than others
Best low carb IPA
drinkwelluk.com
Low carb but with full on taste, this Lean Brew IPA has 35 per cent fewer calories than other IPA's. It's award-winning and just 99 calories per can. Enjoy the bitterness of hops, fruity notes and a malty undertone.
Customer review: "Very nice, definite IPA flavour. Surprising amount of flavour for a low calorie low carb beer."
Pros
- 80% less carbs than standard IPA
- Gluten-free
- Vegan
Cons
- Be aware it's full alcohol
Best low calorie beer case
drinkwelluk.com
If you love session beers and you're watching the pounds, this Mixed Low Carb Beer Case 24 Pack is the answer. There's an assortment of nine low calorie and low carb beers to enjoy. This pack includes some of our favourite lowest calorie beers, such as Lean Brew IPA, Tennent's Light Lager Cans, SkinnyBrands IPA Cans, and Gen!us Craft Lager. Additionally, discover The Löwecal Lager and Prime Time Lager.
Customer review: "To be honest I wasn’t expecting much from a low carb mixed case. How wrong I was, every single one was excellent. Crisp, refreshing lagers. Tasty ales. Will definitely order again, and again…"
Pros
- Great variety
- Curated by beer experts
- Available in a range of pack sizes
- Customer s love the selection
Cons
- Be aware they all contain alcohol
FAQs: Best lowest calorie beer
How alcoholic is low-calorie beer?
Low-calorie beer contains slightly less alcohol per volume compared to your standard beer, but that doesn't mean there aren't any options for strong beers with low calories.
Why is normal beer so high in calories?
Beer, along with wine, cider and spirits uses starch and sugar during the fermentation process (and it's a lot too). This makes beer extremely high in carbohydrates (on average about 7 kcal per gram, about as much as pure fat) so needless to say, it has a ton of calories.
What type of beer has the least calories?
As you'd imagine, lighter beers – lagers and pilsners, as well as a select number of IPAs have far less calories than a darker, richer beer such as stouts, dark and brown ales, but this varies on the brewer's ingredients and the fermentation process.
Do spirits have less calories than beer?
Because you use less spirits in a mixer, you cut down significantly on the calorie intake, just make sure you're using a low-sugar mixer. Gin and tonic, rum and coke, or vodka and lemonade are all extremely popular choices for low-calorie drinks, but they'll also get you significantly drunker quicker.
For some pointers on the best low calorie alcohol, check out our fantastic guide on the lowest alcoholic drinks available in the UK.
Are low calorie beers healthy?
While they're not packed with nutrients or vitamins, a low calorie beer is significantly better for you than a traditional beer, where excessive consumption eventually causes countless issues with the liver, heart and brain. Moderate consumption, however has been linked with a lower risk of heart disease, improved blood sugar control, and reduced dementia risk.
Ryan Houghton is a commercial content writer, specialising in technology. When Ryan isn’t engrossed in writing about an enthralling new technological marvel, he’s probably PC gaming, bingeing entire shows on Netflix in a single sitting, or enjoying drinks with friends.