Beer and vodka are very different alcoholic beverages, both in the number and type of calories they have. Whether you choose beer or vodka, you should know the calorie differences among the various choices for each.
Calories in Beer
The number of calories in a can of beer varies with the type and brand of beer you choose. An average regular beer has 153 calories in 1 can, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The average light beer has 103 calories in each can.
Calories in Vodka
It doesn't matter which brand of vodka you choose, the amount of alcohol by volume determines the number of calories in vodka. Eighty-proof vodka, which has 40 percent alcohol by volume, has 97 calories in a 1.5 fluid oz. shot. Vodka that is 100 proof has 124 calories in a 1.5- oz. jigger.
Calories from Carbohydrates
MedlinePlus notes that each gram of carbohydrates has 4 calories. In the fermentation process, vodka loses all carbohydrates and has no calories from carbohydrates. Beer, however, does not lose all of its carbs as it ferments. Regular beer has almost 13 g of carbohydrates in a can for almost 51 calories from carbs, while light beer has nearly 6 g of carbs for just over 23 calories from carbohydrates.
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