Non-alcoholic beer and low-alcohol beer is growing in popularity at an incredible rate. In fact, according to a 2021 report by British alcohol market analysis firm IWSR, the market for non-alcoholic beer is predicted to surge by at least 30% by 2024.
While this increase in both popularity and availability is undoubtedly good news for beer lovers that are looking to reduce or eliminate their alcohol consumption, there are still quite a few nutritional misconceptions when it comes to non-alcoholic beer.
Many people assume that non-alcoholic beer is healthy, as it only contains trace amounts of alcohol (under 0.5%) or no alcohol at all. However, many people neglect to consider the caloric content of these beverages and how many carbohydrates and sugar are in a serving.
How Can We Help?
To help you learn more about NA beer, we will explain everything you need to know, including the moderate calories, carbs and sugars in non-alcoholic beer.
We will also explain how non-alcoholic beer compares to regular beer and highlight some of the non-alcoholic beer brands you should look out for if you want to cut back on calories, sugar and carbs.
Non-Alcoholic Beers and Calories
Before we get into the number of carbohydrates and simple sugars found in non-alcoholic beer, we are going to look at the calories in non-alcoholic beer.
How Many Calories Are in Non-Alcoholic Beer?
On average, most non-alcoholic beers contain between 60 and 100 calories in a standard 12-ounce (355mL) can. With that said, some low-calorie non-alcoholic beers contain less than 60 calories per serving, as they are designed explicitly for calorie-conscious consumers.
By comparison, a typical 12-ounce can of 5% alcohol by volume beer contains roughly 150 calories; however, the exact amount can vary depending on the brand and variety of beer. As we will explain later, pure alcohol contains a significant amount of calories, which is why non-alcoholic beers tend to be lower in calories than standard, alcohol-containing beers.
Why Does the Amount of Calories in Non-Alcoholic Beers Vary?
It is essential to recognize that the total calories in a non-alcoholic beer will depend on the brand, volume, and whether or not it is a true non-alcoholic beer or if it contains trace amounts of alcohol, meaning 0.5% alcohol by volume or less.
In the United States, non-alcoholic beer must have less than 0.5% ABV, so some non-alcoholic beers have alcohol in them, even if the amount is minimal.
Since one gram of pure alcohol contains roughly seven calories, it is very calorically dense. This is why a 1-ounce serving of most types of 40% alcohol by-volume liquor measures out to about 100 calories. So, true non-alcoholic beers, meaning those that indeed contain 0% alcohol by volume, tend to have fewer calories per serving than those that contain trace amounts of alcohol.
Naturally, certain brands add more sugar and carbs to their non-alcoholic beers to alter the flavor, aroma and other characteristics of their non-alcoholic beer. After all, most manufacturers are trying to make a delicious product that offers an alternative to regular beer that tastes similar.
What About Sugar and Carbs in Non-Alcoholic Beer?
If you are unaware, carbohydrates, or carbs, are one of the three main macronutrients broken down by the body to produce energy. As we discussed above, this stored energy is referred to as calories. Fat and protein are the other two types; however, neither is found in any significant volume in non-alcoholic beer, so they are not worth looking into.
Most of the carbs within non-alcoholic beer come from malted grains, which give the non-alcoholic beer its regular beer-like flavor. Added sugars, which are added in different volumes by non-alcoholic beer brewers to alter the flavor and aroma of the product, also add carbohydrates.
Why Care About the Carb Content in Non-Alcoholic Beer?
While carbs are not necessarily bad, some people are on low-carb diets. If you want to enjoy a non-alcoholic beer while simultaneously limiting the carbs you consume in your diet, you will want to look for a low-carb or zero-carb non-alcoholic beer.
We will cover some of these options at a later point. It is also worth noting that many of the low-carb non-alcoholic beers also contain fewer total calories.
Are Non-Alcoholic Beers High in Carbs?
Given that pure alcohol does not contain carbohydrates, the fact that non-alcoholic beer does not contain alcohol does not necessarily mean that there are fewer carbohydrates than alcoholic beers.
Many non-alcoholic beers contain more carbs per serving than alcoholic beers, as they usually have more sugar. However, as we mentioned above, non-alcoholic beers are intentionally made to contain as few carbs as possible. These low-carb non-alcoholic beers also tend to contain very small amounts of total calories, so they can be a good option for those looking to lose weight or prevent additional weight gain.
Average Carbs in Non-Alcoholic Beer vs. Regular Beer
A typical can of 5% alcohol by volume beer contains about 13 grams of carbohydrates. This translates to an average calorie count of 150 calories per 12-ounce can.
By comparison, the average carbs in a 12-ounce can of non-alcoholic beer contains roughly 14 grams of carbohydrates. However, it is essential to remember that this number can vary widely depending on the brand.
For example, Budweiser Zero Alcohol-Free 0% Lager contains 11 grams of carbs per can, while Athletic Brewing’s Run Wild 0.5% India Pale Ale contains roughly 15.5 grams of carbs per can.
Once again, the carb content of a non-alcoholic beer usually depends on the amount of sugar the manufacturer has added during the brewing process. If you want to cut calories, added sugars and total calories, you may want to opt for one of the low-calorie, low-carb options on the market, like Heineken 0.0 Non-Alcoholic Beer or Partake Brewing’s Non-Alcoholic IPA.
Sugar in Non-Alcoholic Beer
As we have explained, the sugar content in a non-alcoholic beer will be very closely linked to the carb content and total calories.
While some non-alcoholic beers only contain trace amounts of added sugars, so they are very low in both carbs and total calories, others are pretty high and can contain about 2 grams of sugar per 100mL.
As you likely know, sugar is often added for flavor. In other words, the brewer adds sugar to improve the taste of the beer or to make it taste more like a traditional, alcoholic beer. If you want to avoid sugar in the non-alcoholic beer you drink, you can always check the label and packaging for the nutrition information, which will outline the total amount of sugar per serving.
As mentioned above, you can also keep an eye out for low-carb non-alcoholic beers, as carbs and sugars tend to go hand-in-hand with non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beers.
While most non-alcoholic beers contain added sugars, it is essential to note that almost every type will have less sugar by volume than soda, like full-sugar Coca-Cola.
How Do You Identify the Total Calories, Carbs, and Sugar in Non-Alcoholic Beer?
Fortunately, most non-alcoholic beer manufacturers will voluntarily print the nutrition information of their products directly on the packaging. They know that the average non-alcoholic beer drinker tends to be health-conscious, so they want to know this information before they purchase their products.
Calories are typically just labeled as calories, and they are measured as a total per serving. However, some European imports will label and measure calories as “kcals” or “kj,” due to the different measurements used as part of the metric system.
Carbohydrates and sugar are almost always given in grams, but it is important to note if that gram amount refers to the total in the entire beverage or per 100mL. For virtually any brand, the total carbs and sugars per can is the standard, but it is still worth looking out for.
Suppose you cannot find this information anywhere on the non-alcoholic beer’s packaging or label. In that case, it is usually a sign that the particular product is higher than average in all three areas, as most brands are happy to show off the nutritional information for their product. Certain fruit-flavored non-alcoholic beers avoid listing the calories, carbs and sugar content, as all three categories are very high.
Calories and Carbs in Popular Types of Non-Alcoholic Beer
If you are curious about the exact calorie count in various types of non-alcoholic beer, most manufacturers usually print nutrition information directly on the bottle or can.
With that said, we wanted to make things easy for you. To help you find a non-alcoholic beer that meets your calorie preferences, we have decided to highlight the total calories and carbohydrates in some of the most popular and widely-available low-calorie options.
Partake Brewing – Non-Alcoholic IPA
- Calories – 10
- Carbs – 2 grams
- Sugar – 1 gram
This light, non-alcoholic IPA has a slight citrus flavor that many traditional IPA drinkers will recognize. It is an excellent option for anyone watching their waistline, as it is one of the lowest-calorie options on the market!
Busch NA – Non-Alcoholic Lager
- Calories – 60
- Carbs – 12.9 grams
- Sugar – 4 grams
A traditional tasting lager, Busch NA is made with American hops and filtered water. The alcohol is removed slowly after the beer has fully brewed, so it retains the same flavor as a traditional beer. While higher in calories than Partake Brewing’s IPA, it is still an excellent option for those looking for a refreshing beer without the alcohol and high-calorie total.
Heineken 0.0 – Premium Non-Alcoholic Malt Lager
- Calories – 69
- Carbs – 15 grams
- Sugar – 5 grams
This perfectly balanced beverage is a must for those that enjoy a typical lage but want an alcohol-free alternative. It stays true to Heineken’s iconic flavor and aroma, as it is made with the same premium ingredients, but the alcohol is naturally removed after brewing.