Beer Nutritional Information

Beer from the tap

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Historically, beer was seen as beneficial, and rightly so because it was often more sanitary than local water supplies. The water used to make beer was boiled early on in the brewing process which killed any pathogens. The alcohol produced during fermentation and the addition of hops helped to preserve it. Until modern civic water treatment plants became common beer was often the only reliable source of sanitary hydration.

Marketers that came up with the longtime campaign for a famous Irish stout, “Guinness is good for you,” only helped to reinforce beer’s healthy image. Additionally, there has always been a perception that more robust alcoholic beverages increase virility. The honeymoon was named for the month’s supply of mead—honey wine—given to a newly wedded couple. It was believed that mead would aid them in successfully producing a son.

But the last half of the twentieth century saw a decline in the public’s opinion of alcohol in general. As the damaging effects of alcohol abuse became more commonly known, the perception of beer as a healthy beverage all but died away. Then in the mid-nineties, studies of the benefits of red wine began to emerge. Suddenly alcoholic beverages, or at least one of them, had a chance at repairing a damaged public image.

illustration that shows the nutritional value of beer
The Spruce / Bailey Mariner

Beer: The Numbers

Here are the straight numbers.

Beer and Nutrition

Regular Beer Light Beer Bud Light Michelob Ultra
Water 327.4g* 335.8g 336.3g 337.7g
Calories 153* 103 110 96
Alcohol 13.9g* 11.0g 11.7g 11.3g
Protein 1.6g* 0.9g 0.9g 0.6g
Carbohydrate 12.6g* 5.8g 6.6g 2.6g
Fat 0.0g 0.0g 0.0g 0.0g
Cholesterol 0.0g 0.0g 0.0g 0.0g
Calcium 14mg 14mg 11mg 14mg
Magnesium 21mg 18mg 25mg 14mg
Phosphorous 50mg 42mg 39mg 28mg
Potassium 96mg 74mg 92mg 60mg
Sodium 14mg 14mg 11mg 11mg
Niacin 2mg 1mg N/A** N/A**
Folate 21mcg 21mcg N/A** N/A**


*Include ales, lagers, porters, premium beers and stouts. All other nutrients based on lager samples.
**Not available

Common Questions

The first question on many people's minds concerns how beer compares to other alcoholic drinks like red wine or distilled spirits. The comparison is not that easy to make. In the first place, the main beneficial element that was discovered in red wine is resveratrol, a powerful anti-oxidant. Beer doesn’t contain any resveratrol, but the presence of folate in beer helps lower the risk of heart disease when consumed in moderation. Beer also reduces blood clots and it has been shown to improve mental function in women as well as increasing bone density.

Now, let’s look at the chart again; see the fat and cholesterol levels? It might come as a surprise to those that associate beer drinking with being overweight but there isn’t a trace of fat in beer. Brewers and beer connoisseurs have known this for quite a while. Even the slightest traces of fat or oil in beer can destroy many of the things that we love about our favorite ales and lagers. That beautiful, creamy head on top of a glass of good beer could never exist. Also, the delicate mouthfeel of many beers would be ruined.

If there’s no fat, then where does the beer belly come from? Turns out it has less to do with drinking a beer and more about the customs of beer drinking. Think about bar foods. They are usually salty, greasy, fat-laden stuff, right? Plus, drinking a few beers can make even the most energetic of us a bit lethargic. It’s no surprise that inactivity can add to an expanding waistline. But a beer, all by itself, won’t significantly affect your weight one way or another.

Light Beers

If beer has no fat and moderate consumption doesn’t contribute to weight gain, then what’s light about “light” beers? Are they better for you? There’s nothing significantly different between light and regular beers except a slightly lower calorie count. If you’re trying to lose weight and feel compelled to have a beer, the light beer might be your choice.

Conclusion

So, what’s the bottom line? There might not be a six-pack in your six-pack but there doesn’t have to be a gut, either. One beer a day is good for you. Several beers each day is not. The key to health with ​beer drinking is to limit your consumption to one beer each day.

Article Sources
The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Alcoholic beverage, beer, regular, all. USDA FoodData Central. 2021. Alcoholic beverage, beer, regular, all. [online] Available at: <https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168746/nutrients>

  2. Arranz S, Chiva-blanch G, Valderas-martínez P, Medina-remón A, Lamuela-raventós RM, Estruch R. Wine, beer, alcohol and polyphenols on cardiovascular disease and cancer. Nutrients. 2012;4(7):759-81. doi:10.3390/nu4070759

  3. Alcoholic beverage, beer, light, Bud Light. USDA FoodData Central. 2021. Alcoholic beverage, beer, light, Bud Light. [online] Available at: <https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169572/nutrients>