While bread (unless it’s our amazing keto bread!), pasta, and your favorite cereals are off limits on the keto diet, there are a few things that luckily get the green light: a juicy steak, a pound of crispy wings, and even an ice cold low carb beer!
If beer isn’t your favorite, there are countless keto alcohol options available:
- Spirits (rum, vodka, tequila, gin)
- Dry wine
- Seltzers (White Claw, Truly)
Once you’ve reviewed the alcohol guide and are ready for a beer, then keep reading for all the best low carb beer options.
Are Low Carb Beers Gluten Free?
Just because it’s a low calorie beer does not mean it is a gluten free beer. Technically according to keto rules gluten would not be keto friendly, however in small amounts we will allow it in our diet.
It’s rare but sometimes you can find beers without gluten and instead brewed with rice. Just check to make sure it is certified gluten free and there should be no issues.
The Best Low Carb Beer Options
From alcohol content to carbs, and even flavor profiles, we’ve got all the details on the best low carb beers.
1. Coors Light – 5g carbs
12 oz. serving | 4.2% ABV (Alcohol by Volume) | 5g carbs | 102 calories.
Flavor Profile: Sweet and light.
If you are looking for low carb beers that are refreshing and great for a hot summer day, this is your guy. It’s easy to find, has just 5 grams of carbs per serving, and is also low calorie (102 calories per bottle)
2. Busch Ice – 4.2g carbs
12 oz. can | ABV of 5.9% | 4.2g carbs | 173 calories.
Flavor Profile: The beer taste is subtle and watery.
If you want a really strong beer this probably won’t be your first choice. While it is a bit watery it’s also low calorie with only 173 calories and 4.2 grams of carbs per can.
3. Natural Light – 3.2g carbs
12 oz. can | 4.2% ABV | 3.2g Carbs | 95 calories
Flavor Profile: Watery, Clean flavor
This is a nice choice for ladies and gents who prefer a light seltzer that isn’t full of sugar and instead is low in calories and carbs.
You can also find a Natural Light Seltzer in flavors like Strawberry and Kiwi for just 4g of carbs per can.
4. Keystone Light – 5g carbs
12oz Bottle | 4.13% ABV | 5g Carbs | 120 calories
Flavor Profile: Very watery, easy to drink.
This low carb beer is a great option for those that prefer a crisp and refreshing beer. Beer advocate describes this brew as “a triple-filtered American-style light lager”. So be prepared to want a couple…
5. Bud Light – 7g carbs
12oz Bottle | 4.2% ABV | 7g Carbs | 110 calories
Flavor Profile: Crisp, delicate sweetness.
Thanks to the soft malt sweetness in this light beer you can enjoy refreshing low carb beers that taste good without the guilt. It’s a great option for both a keto diet and low carb diet because it’s just 7 grams of carbs a bottle.
6. Pabst Blue Ribbon – 12g carbs
12oz Bottle | 4.74% ABV | 12g Carbs | 153 calories
Flavor Profile: A bread like flavor that’s sweet with a slight bitterness.
This beer is obviously quite high in carbs, but if you only plan on having one beer, then it can possibly fit into your macros for the day. You can also try a Pabst Blue Ribbon Easy for half the amount of carbs.
7. Miller Lite – 3.2g carbs
12oz Bottle | 4.2% ABV | 3.2g Carbs | 96 calories
Flavor Profile: Full bodied with a bitter aftertaste.
Miller Lite’s are great low carb beers for anyone looking to manage overall calories along with carbs. Per 12 ounce serving there are just 3.2 grams of carbs and a 4.2 ABV. Miller lite has a bold flavor that puts it above most of the competition. It’s keto friendly and the perfect 12 ounce serving.
8. Michelob Ultra – 2.6g carbs
12oz Bottle | 4.2% ABV | 2.6g Carbs | 95 calories
Flavor Profile: Malty and sweet. Light citrus aroma.
Michelob ultra comes in with just 2.6 grams of carbohydrates and 95 calories a bottle. You can also find Michelob ultra pure gold for just 2.5 grams of carbs per serving.
9. Amstel Light Lager – 5g carbs
12oz Bottle | 3.5% ABV | 5g Carbs | 95 calories
Flavor Profile: Mixture of barley and hops.
This is another 5 and under keto friendly beer that is just low enough in calories and carbs to fit a 20 net carb keto diet.
10. Corona Premier – 2.6g carbs
12oz Bottle | 4% ABV | 2.6g Carbs | 90 calories
Flavor Profile: Light, crisp, refreshing taste.
Yes you herd right, it is Corona; and we’re not talking about the pandemic. Corona Premier is perfect for the keto diet with its low carb and sugar counts. These beers are refreshing and easy to drink, luckily for you they’re low enough in carbs to have a few!
11. Budweiser Select 55 – 1.9g carbs
12oz Bottle | 2.4% ABV | 1.9g Carbs | 55 calories
Flavor Profile: Golden lager made with caramel malts.
Finding a beer without too much twang can be tricky. Budweiser select 55 keeps the carbs and calories super low in this beer with a carb count of just 1.9 a beer! It’s a specialty version of light beers that has a slight caramel taste.
12. Heineken Light – 7g carbs
12oz Bottle | 3.3% ABV | 7g Carbs | 99 calories
Flavor Profile: Smooth, subtle bitterness, well-balanced, clean finish.
If you enjoy drinking beer this Heineken light is a classic. It makes for easy drinking and a low cal way to enjoy the party with everyone else.
13. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale – 14.6g carbs
12oz Bottle | 5.6% ABV | 14.6g Carbs
Flavor Profile: Hoppy, Full bodied, Floral.
This beer is obviously quite high in carbs, but if you only plan on having one beer, then it can possibly fit into your macros for the day. It’s really one of the tastiest on the list and least watered down. While the carb count may be high so is the ABV, so you really only need one.
14. Bells Two Hearted IPA – 17g carbs
12oz Bottle | 7% ABV | 17g Carbs
Flavor Profile: Intense hop aroma with a malty balance.
Another high carb beer, but also another high ABV beer (7%). If you just have one you can probably make it fit into your macros for the day.
15. Flying Dog Kerberos Tripel – 8.6g carbs
12oz Bottle | 8.3% ABV | 8.6g Carbs
Flavor Profile: Hoppy, Fruity, Mellow.
This beer is lower in carbs than the last two, but still a little higher than a regular beer. It has one of the highest ABV ratings of the list, so drink responsibly!
More Keto Beer Options
Devils Backbone Bright Tangerine Ale
Shiner Ruby Redbird
Bud Light Next
Hahn Ultra Crisp Gluten Free
Coopers Dry
Allagash Saison
Surley Brewing Rose Lager
Pittsburgh Brewing Co. I.C. Light
Southbound Brewing Light Lager
Deschutes Da Shootz! Pilsner
Boulevard Easy Sport
Four Peaks Brut
Brew Dog Vagabond
Molson Canadian 67
Crispin Natural Hard Apple Cider
Pig’s Eye Lean Light
Big Flats Light Beer
Duvel
Keystone Premium
Leinenkugel’s Light
Becks Octoberfest
Chimay Rouge
Olde English 800
Grolsch Light Lager
Best Alcohol: Our Low Carb Beer Recommendations and More!
We always prefer to drink keto friendly wine or liquor when enjoying a night out or having a nice dinner. Some of our go-to options for wine are Pinot Grigio and Cabernet Sauvignon, while some of our liquor go-to options are vodka and whiskey.
To put these beers to the test, we compared them to our favorite drink of choice – wine – using the metric what will “get us where we want to be.”
For Matthew, that was three glasses of wine, at 9 net carbs and for Megha it was two glasses of wine, at 6 net carbs.
We found the beers that give you the best bang for your buck are Busch Ice, Natural Light, Miller Lite and Michelob Ultra!
A higher percent, higher carb, but very workable one is Flying Dog Kerberos Tripel. If you enjoy and work other beers into your macros that we didn’t mention above, comment them below.
Written by
Megha Barot
Megha has always been a passionate cook, but she took this to a new level after starting her keo journey in 2015. She loves creating new recipes and producing educational content for KetoConnect, which she co-founded in 2016 with Matt. Her passion for healthy eating and personal development continues to thrive. She's the proud mom of two awesome kids.
