Calories of Regular Beer Vs. Light Beer

The delineation between regular and light beer is in the alcohol content; according to the CalorieKing website, regular beers have 5 percent alcohol by volume, while light beers have 3.1 percent alcohol. Comparing the calorie counts between regular and light beer also shows that reducing the alcohol reduces the number of calories.

Regular Beer

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a 12-fluid-ounce serving of regular beer has 138 calories. CalorieKing calculates that an 8-oz. cup packs 102 calories.

Light Beer

The USDA lists light beer at 103 calories per 12-oz. serving. According to CalorieKing, this equates to 69 calories in an 8-oz. glass.

Comparison of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates pack 4 calories for every gram, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. This helps to explain the calorie difference between regular and light beer. CalorieKing lists regular beer as having 8.5 g of carbohydrates per 8 oz., while light beer has 3.8 g of carbohydrates.

References

• U.S. Department of Agriculture: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 17
• CalorieKing: Calories in Regular Beer
• CalorieKing: Calories in Light Beer
• MedlinePlus: Dietary Fats Explained