This guide is updated for 2026.
Cutting back does not have to mean giving up beer. The light-lager shelf has never been bigger, and the best options now sit somewhere around 90 to 110 calories a can with just a couple of grams of carbs, a long way below a standard lager or a hazy IPA.
The catch is that light beer ranges from genuinely crisp and drinkable to thin and watery. We tasted eight of the biggest names and ranked them on how they actually drink, not just the calorie count. Every pick links to its full review and you can grab a case in a couple of taps.
Best Low-Calorie Beers at a Glance
| Beer | Style | Our rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michelob Ultra | Light Lager | 3.5/5 | Best low-carb light beer |
| Miller Lite | Light Lager | 3.4/5 | Best all-round light beer |
| Corona Premier | Light Lager | 3.3/5 | Best light beer for flavour |
| Coors Light | Light Lager | 3.1/5 | Best ice-cold light beer |
| Corona Light | Light Lager | 3.1/5 | Best light beer with a lime |
| Bud Light | Light Lager | 3.0/5 | Best crowd-pleasing light beer |
| Amstel Light | Light Lager | 3.0/5 | Best imported light beer |
| Busch Light | Light Lager | 2.9/5 | Best value light beer |
A light beer lives or dies on one thing: does it still taste like beer once the calories are gone? A few here manage it and drink well cold on a hot day or after a workout. Others are watery. We ranked them on flavour, not just the numbers on the can.
Michelob Ultra
The one the gym crowd swears by, and with reason. At around 95 calories and just 2.6 grams of carbs, it is about as lean as a mainstream beer gets, yet it stays crisp and clean rather than watery. A light, dry lager that does its job after a workout or a long day. Read the full Michelob Ultra review.
- Around 95 calories and only 2.6g carbs
- Crisp and clean, not watery
- Widely available everywhere
- Light on flavour by design
- Not one for hop or malt lovers
Miller Lite
The original light beer still gets the balance right. Around 96 calories and 3.2 grams of carbs, with a touch more malt and hop character than most rivals, so it drinks like a proper if slimmed-down lager. The safe, satisfying pick when you want light without watery. Read the full Miller Lite review.
- Around 96 calories with real lager flavour
- More character than most light beers
- A dependable everyday choice
- Still a light beer at heart
- Nothing flashy about it
Corona Premier
Corona’s low-carb version keeps more of the smooth, easy character of the original than you would expect. Around 90 calories and 2.6 grams of carbs, it is one of the leaner options here yet still tastes like a proper Corona with a lime. A strong pick for flavour per calorie. Read the full Corona Premier review.
- Around 90 calories and 2.6g carbs
- Keeps the smooth Corona character
- Great with a lime wedge
- Pricier than domestic light lagers
- Best with the lime, plain it fades
Coors Light
Built to be drunk near freezing, and it shows. Around 102 calories, clean and cold-crisp with almost no bitterness, this is the light beer for a scorching day when you just want cold and refreshing. Let it warm up and there is not much there, so keep it icy. Read the full Coors Light review.
- Extremely refreshing served ice cold
- Around 102 calories
- Smooth and easy to drink
- Very little flavour once it warms
- Almost no malt or hop character
Corona Light
A lighter take on the beach-day classic. Around 99 calories, crisp and easy, and like the original it comes alive with a wedge of lime. On its own it is fairly plain, but as a low-calorie option for a warm afternoon it does the trick. Read the full Corona Light review.
- Crisp and easy at around 99 calories
- Excellent with a lime
- Great warm-weather refresher
- Plain and thin without the lime
- Less lean than Premier
Bud Light
The one everybody knows and nearly everybody will drink. Around 110 calories and 6.6 grams of carbs, so a touch heavier than the leanest here, but smooth, inoffensive and endlessly easy. If you are buying light beer for a crowd, this is the reliable middle-ground call. Read the full Bud Light review.
- Smooth and very easy to drink
- The safe pick for a mixed crowd
- Available literally everywhere
- Higher carbs than most light lagers
- Bland if you want flavour
Amstel Light
A European light lager with a slightly more malty, bready character than the American crowd. Around 95 calories, a bit more going on than a domestic light beer, and a change of pace if you find the usual names too plain. Worth a look for the flavour per calorie. Read the full Amstel Light review.
- Maltier, more European character
- Around 95 calories
- A nice change from domestic light beers
- Can taste a little thin cold
- Harder to find than the big names
Busch Light
The budget pick, and honestly not bad for the money. Around 95 calories, light and crisp with a faint corn sweetness, it does the basic job of a cold light beer for less than the big brands. Nobody’s favourite on flavour, but the value is hard to argue with. Read the full Busch Light review.
- Cheapest way to drink light
- Around 95 calories
- Crisp and cold-drinkable
- Thin, with a faint corn sweetness
- Bottom of the pack on flavour
The Gear for Light Beer
Light lagers are best served ice cold and drunk fresh. These three cheap upgrades help you get the most out of a case.
Low-Calorie Beer FAQ
What is the lowest-calorie beer?
Among the mainstream light lagers, Corona Premier and Michelob Ultra are about as lean as it gets, at roughly 90 to 95 calories a can with only 2.6 grams of carbs. Some ultra-light and non-alcoholic beers go lower still, but for a normal beer with flavour these two lead the pack.
Do low-calorie beers taste watery?
Some do, but not all. The best light lagers, like Miller Lite and Corona Premier, keep real lager character while cutting the calories. Cheaper or extra-light options can taste thin, especially once they warm up, so serve light beer ice cold and drink it fresh.
How many calories are in a light beer?
Most mainstream light beers land between about 90 and 110 calories per 12 oz can, versus roughly 150 for a standard lager and 200 or more for a big IPA. The leanest, like Corona Premier and Michelob Ultra, sit near 90 to 95.
What is the best low-calorie beer for taste?
Miller Lite is the best all-rounder for flavour, with more malt and hop character than most. Corona Premier is excellent with a lime, and Amstel Light offers a maltier, more European profile. All three keep real beer taste while staying light.
