Brewers make beer by fermenting grains, such as barley and wheat, which contain carbohydrates. Most beers also contain added sugars, which also increases the carbohydrate level in the beverage.
The number of grains and added sugars that remain in the beer varies according to the fermentation process.
People watching their carbohydrate intake may want to limit the amount of beer they drink.
This article lists 28 popular beers and their carbohydrate content, along with other ingredients. This information comes from the company websites.
Bud is very popular and is available as regular or light.
Bud Light
Bud Light contains:
- water
- barley
- rice
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-ounce (oz) serving:
- carbs: 6.6 grams (g)
- calories: 110
- protein: .9 g
- alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.2%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Budweiser
Budweiser contains:
- barley
- rice
- hops
- water
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 10.6 g
- calories: 145
- protein: n.d.
- ABV: 5%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
There are several varieties of Miller that contain different amounts of carbs, alcohol, and other nutrients.
Miller Genuine Draft
Miller Genuine Draft contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- yeast
- hop extract
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 12.2 g
- calories: 141
- protein: less than 1 g
- ABV: 4.6%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Miller Lite
Miller Lite contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- yeast
- hop extract
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 3.2 g
- calories: 96
- protein: less than 1 g
- ABV: 4.2%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Miller High Life
Miller High Life contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- yeast
- hop extract
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 12.2 g
- calories: 141
- protein: less than 1 g
- ABV: 4.6%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Miller High Life Light
Miller High Life light contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- yeast
- hop extract
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 6.2 g
- calories: 107
- protein: less than 1 g
- ABV: 4.1
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Miller64
Miller64 contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- yeast
- hop extract
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 2.4 g
- calories: 64
- protein: less than 1 g
- ABV: 2.8%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Modelo is another popular beer available in these varieties:
Modelo Especial
Modelo Especial contains:
- water
- barley malt
- non-malted cereals
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 13.7 g
- calories: 144
- protein: 1.1 g
- ABV: 4.4%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Modelo Negra
Modelo Negra contains:
- water
- barley malt
- non-malted cereals
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 15.8 g
- calories: 173
- protein: 1.5 g
- ABV: 5.4%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Blue Moon is a wheat beer available in two common varieties:
Blue Moon Belgian White
Blue Moon Belgian White contains:
- water
- barley malt
- yeast
- wheat
- hop extract
- oats
- orange peel
- coriander
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 14.1 g
- calories: 168
- protein: 1.9 g
- ABV: 5.4
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Blue Moon Honey Wheat
Blue Moon Honey Wheat contains:
- water
- barley malt
- yeast
- wheat
- hops
- corn syrup
- honey
- orange peel
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 11.7 g
- calories: 153
- protein: 1.4 g
- ABV: 5.2%
- not vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Corona is a Mexican beer also available in a couple of varieties:
Corona Extra
Corona Extra contains:
- water
- barley malt
- non-malted cereals
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 13.9 g
- calories: 148
- protein: 1.2 g
- ABV: 4.6%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Corona Light
Corona Light contains:
- water
- barley malt
- non-malted cereals
- hops
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 4.8 g
- calories: 99
- protein: 0.8 g
- ABV: 4.0%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Coors is available in several varieties:
Coors Banquet
Coors Banquet contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- yeast
- hop extract
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 11.7 g
- calories: 147
- protein: 1 g
- ABV: 5.0%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
Coors Light
Coors Light contains:
- water
- barley malt
- corn syrup
- hop extract
- lager yeast
Nutritional information and important stats based on a 12-oz serving:
- carbs: 5 g
- calories: 102
- protein: less than 1 g
- ABV: 4.2%
- vegan friendly
- contains gluten
A person can reduce the number of calories they consume from beer by drinking the ‘light’ options.
People can also try:
- drinking water between each beer, as the water will make the person feel more full, as well hydrating them
- focusing on sipping drinks slowly to avoid having to buy as many beers
- avoiding drinking beers late at night
- avoiding drinking on an empty stomach, as a full stomach will mean a person cannot drink as many beers
- avoiding mixing beer with drinks that contain caffeine, such as energy drinks, coffee, and tea, as these can prolong periods of drinking
- trying to cut back to one beer a night, then skipping beer for a few days at a time
The American Heart Association recommend that men consume no more than two alcoholic drinks per day, and women no more than one.
They class the following as one drink:
- a 1.5-oz serving of 80-proof spirits
- a 4-oz glass of wine
- a 12-oz beer
The amounts of carbs in popular beers will vary based on several factors, such as ingredients and overall sugar levels.
In general, light beers are lower in both calories and carbohydrates than many of the full-flavored counterparts.
Beer may not have a place in diets that severely restrict carbohydrates. However, some light beers with very few carbs may be suitable for people on less restrictive diets.