Donât let snobs or cicerones (beer sommeliers) tell you otherwise. Thereâs nothing wrong with a good light beer. On the contrary, light beers are basically the king of all beers (well, Budweiser is the King of Beers). Theyâre by far the best-selling variety of beer in the country.
The popularity, of course, is precisely the conundrum. There are just so manyâwhich is the best light beer out there? After tireless research and endless sacrifice - aka - drinking light beers, weâve undertaken the great and terrible burden of trying a bunch of beers and figuring out which ones are the best.
So read on to hear the 25 best light beer brands, you may be surprised to find a few of your favorite craft beer breweries in the list.
- Bud Light
- Heineken
- Busch Light
- Keystone Light
- Amstel Light
- Beckâs Premier Light
- Corona Light
- Coors Light
- Michelob Ultra
- Shiner Light Blonde
- Miller Lite
- Guinness Draught
- Night Shift Brewing Nite Lite
- Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty
- Estrella Damm Inedit
- Kirin Ichiban
- Yuengling Light Lager
- Bellâs Light-Hearted Ale
- Tecate Original
- Sam Adams Light Lager
- Natural Light
- Omission Ultimate Light
{% contentfig â/beer/bud-light-tallboy-can.jpgâ, âA tallboy can of Bud Lightâ, âTHE light beer of light beersâ %}
Bud Light
You know that the olâ reliable of the beer world had to show its face on this list. Whether being guzzled at college tailgates, at New York bars, or at home barbecues, Bud Light is a choice for Americans everywhere.
For a good reason, itâs by far the most popular beer in the United States. Available for negligent prices in enormous packages and containing just 110 calories and 4.2% ABV, Bud Light is a middle road for light beers. When you want a full flavor thatâs heavy on corn but not too filling or bloating, this is the drink for you.
{% contentfig â/beer/bud-light-platinum.jpgâ, âA bottle of Bud Light Platinum, a 6% ABV beerâ, âBrewed for the night!â %}
Bud Light Platinum
Bud Light Platinum is for those that want to light up the night. With fewer calories than Bud (Heavy), this lager beer is like plugging a Bud Light into a guitar amplifier, same light beer experience, only higher alcohol content.
{% contentfig â/beer/heineken-light.jpgâ, âA bottle of Heineken Light, a 3.3% ABV beerâ, âGreen bottle for the winâ %}
Heineken Light
Clocking in at just 3.3% alcohol by volume and a calorie count of 99, Heineken is on the lighter side of the Light Beer Continuum (a metric for understanding light beers created by me, just now). Itâs everything you love about Heineken, just light. Same taste, same green beer bottle.
So next time youâre out about the town, keep an eye out for a red star and green body. No, it isnât a sign that youâre in the Soviet Union - it means youâre in Heineken country.
Busch Light
If there were a beer that embodied coldness, it would be this one. At a slim 95 calories and a crisp 4.5% ABV, itâs simple math that Busch Light is an excellent light beer. The flavor takes it to the next level.
There are haters out there who will look down their noses at the Busch Light, but they fail to consider one thing: refreshment. Some light beers can give you a blast of flavor, but if they canât refresh you, then whatâs the point, really?
Busch Light is also the staple beer of drinking games. We urge you to play responsibly. Only play responsibly.
Keystone Light
Keystone Light bumps up the calories just a tad to 101 but has the lowest ABV on this list so farâa mere 4.1%! If youâre looking for a beer that wonât send you home in a stuporâwell, until youâve had six or seven in a rowâthen reach for a Keystone Light.
With a bready, malty flavor, Keystone Light has the kind of crisp mouthfeel that youâd expect from a light beer. On top of that, its complex blend of grains gives a distinctive flavor that lingers in your mouth after youâve had your last sip.
{% contentfig â/beer/amstel-light.jpgâ, âA bottle of Amstel Light, an imported light beerâ, âWho hasnât had an Amstel Light?â %}
Amstel Light
The third import light beer on this list is also one of the best. Amstel Light boasts 4.4% ABV and 95 calories, but the real prize here is its taste, which makes you feel like youâre sipping a Trappist ale out of a giant boot in a BiergartenâŠor something like that.
With a slightly bitter bite, Amstel Light isnât the kind of beer that tastes exactly like water. However, thatâs a good thing because it slows you down and keeps you appreciating the subtle exotic malt of its flavor profile.
Beckâs Premier Light
This beer is absurd. In a weird way, itâs almost not a beer. At 3.8% ABV and 64 calories, itâs nearly as close to being an NA beer as to being Amstel Light.
Yet, donât let that fool you. For one, it has 3.9g of carbohydrates and 1 gram of protein per bottle, which is a bit more than competitors. It also means that if you drink about 50 of these, which we sincerely advise against, you will get your daily protein intake.
Again, please, please do not do that. Instead, responsibly enjoy a few bottles of Beckâs, luxuriating in their light, slightly fruity pilsner flavor.
{% contentfig â/beer/corona-light.jpgâ, âA bottle of Corona Light, an imported Mexican light beerâ, âDoes the sand come in Light too?â %}
Corona Light
Corona Light is undoubtedly the cerveza to rule them all when it comes to beers south of the border. It boasts a relatively average ABV (4%) and calorie count (99), not counting the microscopic change thatâll come when you add lime to your bottle.
The Corona is the signature drink of the Fast & Furious franchise, and for a good reason. Whether youâre looking out onto the sapphire waters of a tropical sea or thinking about launching a car into space, Corona Lightâs sharp flavor will be your companion along the way.
And, in the same way that Grupo Modelo has the Corona Extra & Coronita pairing, there is a Corona Light & Coronita Light pairing available for purchase. Coronita is the same light-bodied pale lager, just a smaller version.
{% contentfig â/beer/coors-light-tallboy-can.jpgâ, âA tallboy can of Coors Lightâ, âThis list wouldnât be the same without Coors Lightâ %}
Coors Light
Coors Light is if water decided to get an upgrade. That might sound like an insult, but itâs not. Coors Light is the quintessential light beer with an easy mouthfeel and a sharp taste that wakes your tongue up as soon as you take a sip.
On the back-end, Coorsâ brewers are famous for using water-saving Moravian barley and for making a brew that has just 102 calories, 4.2% ABV, less than 1 gram of protein, and zero grams of fat.
Michelob Ultra
With 4.2% ABV and 95 calories in every 12-ounce bottle, Michelob Ultra is one of the lightest among the old guard of light beers (Miller Lite, Bud Light, and Coors Light).
Although itâs become the favorite beer of partying college kids since it debuted in 2002, Mich Ultra shouldnât be written off as a childâs beer. No, quite the contrary: Michelob Ultra is a beer for everyone with a slightly sweet flavor and smooth mouthfeel.
Shiner Light Blonde
A gold medalist at the Australian International Beer Awards, the Shiner Light Blonde has earned a reputation as being a cut above the rest. Well, itâs true.
Itâs certainly a distinct light beer. Its taste is fizzy but not too sharp, and its aroma is that of malt and corn rising under the hot Texas sun and both floral hops and bread.
In addition, the Shiner Light Blonde boasts a calorie count of 99, 3.8 grams of carbohydrates, no fat, and a 4.2% ABV.
{% contentfig â/beer/miller-lite-tallboy-can.jpgâ, âA tallboy can of Miller Lite, a 4.2% ABV beerâ, âTastes Great. Less Filling.â %}
Miller Lite
You know that Miller Lite was going to make it on this list. After all, this is one of the light beersâone of the original light beers, in fact!
Miller Light is famous nationwide because of three plain and simple facts:
- Itâs dependable
- Itâs tasty
- Itâs cheap
This is not a light beer that will break the bank by any means, but it also offers the one-two punch of crispness and sweetness to complement its 96 calories. If youâre trying to decide what light pilsner to go for, make sure this is a contender. As they say, itâs Miller Time.
Guinness Draught
I hear you crying out in confusion. Guinness? By George, that isnât a light beer at all! Look at its shimmering ruby hue, its pearly head, its bursting body!
Well, youâre right about the second part but wrong about the first. Guinness is 4.2% ABV and has 125 calories, comparable to the other light beers on this list. In fact, itâs even lower than some of them!
If you have any Irish in you, this should be music to your ears. Rejoice, dear friends, in knowing that whether youâre trying to slim down or enjoy a night on the town, itâs always a lovely day for a Guinness. SlĂĄinte!
{% contentfig â/beer/night-shift-brewing-nite-lite.jpgâ, âNite Lite, a Lager brewed by Night Shift Brewingâ, âLove the can artwork and brandingâ %}
Night Shift Brewing Nite Lite
Night Shiftâs Nite Light Craft Light Lager is a bit of a mouthfulâfiguratively and literally. We prefer to abridge the name to the simple Nite Lite, but weâll keep the excellent flavors of this tasty lager, which includes citrus, corn, and hints of baked treats like biscuits.
This beer, which brings 4.3% ABV and 120 calories to the table, should also be appreciated for its color, which may be the most beautiful lite beer Iâve seen. Itâs gold that shimmers like the sun over fields of wheat. Itâs also likely to pop up in your recommendations in Drizly, if youâre the type to buy beer online.
{% contentfig â/beer/dogfish-head-brewery-slightly-mighty.jpgâ, âSlightly Mighty, a Lo-Cal IPA brewed by Dogfish Head Craft Breweryâ, âWhat isnât good from Dogfish?â %}
Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty
The Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty is the first IPA to appear on this list, and itâs well worth it. IPAs are famous for being the beers that help people get into beersâand this one is the best-selling light IPA in the United States. Itâs also one of the best low calorie beers available on the market.
Dogfish Head is most famous for its craft brews, and that sensibility is reflected in the Slightly Mighty. Though itâs just 95 calories, donât take that to mean itâs flavorless. On the contrary, the Slightly Mighty hits the spot with its monk fruit-infused sweetness.
Estrella Damm Inedit
The Damm Inedit is, by far, the fanciest light beer on this list. Crafted by Michelin-starred chef Ferran AdriĂ and his high-class team of world-class brewmasters, the Damm Inedit is a light beer like no other. Plus it comes in a 750ml bottle.
An extra lager in style, the Damm Inedit is like the lovechild of wheat ale and a pilsner and sports enough complex flavors to compete with so-called ârealâ beers. Just one sip lets you into a world of creamy, fruity, semi-spicy delight thatâll make you rethink whatever you thought you knew about light beer.
Kirin Ichiban
Kirin Ichiban is another first. This beer is the first on this list from the eastern hemisphere. Brewed in Japan, Kirin Ichiban Light is an import through and through. It is flavorful, high-quality, and often challenging to find.
The Kirin Ichiban light has 95 calories and a 3.3% ABV, making it another of those beers just on the precipice of being an NA beer. Nonetheless, this is still an excellent beer for those looking for something dry and medium-light.
On top of that, the companyâs unique mash-pressing method gives the beer a distinct flavor profile that evokes both bready and floral flavors.
Yuengling Light Lager
Like Guinness, Yuengling Light is deceptive. With its 4.5% ABV, amber color, and caramel notes, itâs not the kind of light beer youâd expect to be, well, light. The only asterisk on the beer is that itâs one of the higher-calories options on this list, clocking in at 140. In reality, that probably wonât make a huge difference for most folks drinking beers, but if youâre looking to be merciless with your calorie counting, then this rich beer may not be for you.
As an aside, Yuengling is Americaâs Oldest Brewery, just in case you didnât know.
{% contentfig â/beer/bells-brewery-light-hearted-ale.jpgâ, âLight Hearted Ale, a Lo-Cal IPA brewed by Bellâs Breweryâ, âThe afternoon just got easierâ%}
Bellâs Light-Hearted Ale
Another light India Pale Ale for the beer lovers, Bellâs Breweryâs Light-Hearted Ale, is just 3.7% ABV and has tasting notes of citrus and pine - giving you the feeling of wandering through a mysterious forest overlooking the Pacific Ocean with every sip. We think.
Bellâs is known for producing high-quality iterations of a wide variety of beers, so you can expect that they knocked it out of the park with this one. On top of its ludicrously low ABV and delicious taste, the citrusy Light-Hearted Ale is a mere 110 calories and one of the best low calorie beers your money can buy. Thatâs a nutritional steal by any definition.
{% contentfig â/beer/tecate-original.jpgâ, âA bottle of Tecate Originalâ, âCanât go wrong with a Tecateâ %}
Tecate Original
Last, but most certainly not least, is Tecate Original. If you want a slightly juiced-up alternative to the Corona, then Tecate can be your stand-in. With a somewhat high 141 calories and 4.5% ABV, this isnât the lightest of light options, but itâs still serviceable.
This is especially true given Tecateâs reliable flavor, which gives a hint of sweet corn that isnât cloying and doesnât stick in your mouth. Itâs brief and wispy, like the memories of a great summer night.
Sam Adams Light Lager
A light version of their Boston Lager, this 4.3% ABV American Beer should please craft beer drinkers looking to scale back on carbs and calories. Is it the best beer Sam Adams brews? Not even close. One only need look toward the Utopia series to prove that wrong - a series that is also among the highest ABV beers produced in America.
Natural Light
Natty Light!
Seriously, thatâs all that needs to be said about Natural Light. Itâs under 100 calories. You could say that too. But is there really a need to further explain the glory that is Natty Light? No.
Actually, thereâs one thing. Natty Lights are often used when playing the waterfall card game.
Omission Ultimate Light
Omission Brewing Company brews some of the best gluten-free beer on the market today. Their Ultimate Light Golden Ale is brewed with Citra and Galaxy hops, giving the drinker a taste of the tropics while remaining crisp and possessing a clean, dry finish. If youâre making a list of summer beers, it should be on it.
* Editors Note - Omission Ultimate Light Golden Ale is a gluten-reduced beer
Light Beer FAQs
What are the Carbonation levels of common light beers?
Here are a few examples, measured in pints of CO2 per pint of beer.
- 2.55 pints of CO2 per pint: Coors Light
- 2.46 pints of CO2 per pint: Bud Light
- 2.2 pints of CO2 per pint: Estrella Damm
Conclusion
Well, there you have it. Whether youâre looking for a cerveza or a stout, an IPA, or a pilsner, thereâs a high-quality light beer out there for you. Now, itâs just the hard part. Pick which of these delectable guilt-free indulgences you want to drink first.