Medically reviewed by Imashi Fernando, MS, RDN, CDCES — Written by The Daily Meal
- Michelob Ultra
- Busch Light
- Natural Light
- Miller Lite
- Coors Light
- Bud Light
- Busch
- Heineken
- Budweiser
- Corona Extra
- Takeaway
The calorie count for a standard 12-ounce serving of one of the top 10 most popular beers in the United States ranges from around 95 calories on the low end to just under 150 calories on the high end.
If you’ve ever wondered how your favorite beer fits into a healthy lifestyle, a good place to start is with the nutrition label.
The best-selling beers in America are generally light, straightforward brews, far lower in calories and carbs than many craft or specialty varieties.
To make things simple, we crunched the numbers for some of the biggest beer brands.
To make it simple, we’ve ranked some of the biggest beer brands from lowest to highest calories, with key nutrition facts to help guide your choices.
Cheers to informed sipping.
1. Michelob Ultra
Michelob ULTRA is the #1 top-selling beer in America. It’s a light lager brewed for a crisp, clean finish with subtle citrus notes.
With very low calories and carbohydrates, it ranks among the lightest options in the lineup of popular beers.
Nutrition (per 12 oz)
- Alcohol: 4.2%
- Calories: 95
- Carbs: 2.6 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
Busch Light offers a lighter-bodied take on the classic Busch profile, featuring noticeably lower calories and carbs compared to its standard counterpart.
Its straightforward, easy-drinking character places it among the lighter options in the lineup of popular American beers.
Nutrition (per 12 oz)
- Alcohol: 4.1%
- Calories: 95
- Carbs: 3.2 g
- Protein: 0.7 g
Natural Light, commonly called “Natty Light,” is an easy-drinking light lager with a simple, crisp flavor. With low calories and carbohydrates, it ranks among the lightest options in America’s popular beer lineup, making it a common choice for those seeking a lighter-style beer.
Nutrition (per 12 oz)
- Alcohol: 4.2%
- Calories: 95
- Carbs: 3.2 g
- Protein: 0.7 g
- Fat: 0 g
4. Miller Lite
Miller Lite is a classic light lager known for its smooth, easy-drinking profile.
With very low calories and carbohydrates, it sits among the lightest options in the lineup of popular beers, offering a straightforward choice for those who prefer a lighter-style beer.
Nutrition (per 12 oz)
- Alcohol: 4.2%
- Calories: 96
- Carbs: 3.2 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Fat: 0 g
Coors Light is a classic light lager known for its crisp, clean taste. With lower calories and carbs compared with many standard lagers, it fits comfortably among America’s lighter beer options.
Nutrition (per 12 oz)
- Alcohol: 4.2%
- Calories: 102
- Carbs: 5 g
- Protein: <1 g
- Fat: 0 g
6. Bud Light
Bud Light is one of the lightest and most easy-drinking beers among America’s top sellers, and its nutrition profile reflects that.
With modest alcohol content and relatively low calories and carbs compared to many full-strength lagers or craft varieties, it remains a common choice for those who prefer a lighter-style beer.
Nutrition (per 12 oz)
- Alcohol: 4.2%
- Calories: 110
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbs: 6.6 g
7. Busch
Busch is a balanced, easy-drinking lager known for its crisp, clean profile. Nutritionally, it falls on the lighter end of the calorie and carbohydrate range compared with many standard lagers, making it similar to other popular light-to-moderate styles.
Nutrition (per 12 oz)
- Alcohol: 4.3%
- Calories: 114
- Carbs: 6.9 g
- Protein: 0.9 g
8. Heineken
Heineken is a well-known European-style lager with a slightly fuller body and mild hop character. Compared with lighter American lagers, it has higher calories and carbohydrates, placing it toward the middle of the range among popular beers.
It also contains slightly more protein than many light American lagers, though the difference is modest.
Nutrition (per 12 oz)
- Alcohol: 5%
- Calories: 142
- Carbs: 11 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Fat: 0 g
9. Budweiser
Budweiser is one of America’s classic, widely enjoyed lagers. Compared with lighter beers, it offers a more substantial nutritional profile, with slightly higher calories, carbs, and a bit of protein, giving a different drinking experience while still remaining fairly straightforward in composition.
Nutrition (per 12 oz)
- Alcohol: 5%
- Calories: 146 kcal
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbs: 10.6 g
- Protein: 1.3 g
10. Corona Extra
Corona Extra is a light, pale lager with a smooth, slightly sweet taste, often enjoyed with a wedge of lime. Nutritionally, it has more calories and carbs than most light American lagers, placing it in the mid-to-higher range among popular beers.
Nutrition (per 12 oz)
- Alcohol: 4.6%
- Calories: 148
- Carbs: 13.9 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
Takeaway
When choosing a beer, paying attention to calories, carbs, and alcohol content can help you make an informed choice that fits your preferences and lifestyle.
Lighter options, such as Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, and Natural Light, provide lower-calorie alternatives, while fuller-bodied lagers like Budweiser or Corona Extra offer more calories and carbohydrates per serving.
Regardless of your choice, moderation is the key. Enjoying beer responsibly allows you to appreciate the flavor and social experience without overconsuming calories or alcohol.
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