Beer is often ranked among "empty calorie" foods, meaning that it contributes plenty of calories to your diet without any redeeming nutritional value. However, even if beer did have nutritional value, the average drinker wouldn't know how much, because the USDA doesn't require brewers to label their cans and bottles with the detailed nutrition labels you see on food. Generally speaking, most big brewers include calories and carbohydrates and the labels -- and not much else.
Generic Information
Though the specific figures will vary from brand to brand, 12 ounces of regular beer, or a typical can or bottle, has about 138 calories. It also has 12.64 grams of carbohydrates, or about 4 percent of your recommended daily intake, as well as 1.64 grams of protein, or 3 percent of what you should have each day.
Specific Brands
Of the top 10 best-selling beers in the U.S. in 2010, just four were regular: Budweiser placed in at No. 2; Corona Extra was ranked sixth; Busch was No. 8; and Miller High Life was the ninth-best-selling beer, according to figures from Beer Marketer's Insights. Twelve ounces of Budweiser contains 145 calories with 10.6 grams of carbohydrates and 1.3 grams of protein. The same size serving of Corona, a Mexican import, has 148 calories, 13 grams of carbs and 1 gram of protein, while Busch's figures are 133 calories, 10.2 grams of carbs and 0.9 grams of protein. Miller High Life has 143 calories, 13.1 carb grams and 1 protein gram.
Options
Keep in mind that the figures on the labels are for one beer; if your night out with friends includes a six-pack -- or more -- those calories add up fast. If you're watching your weight, you might want to scale back and drink light beer, which has about 102 calories and just 5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
The Future of Nutrition Labels
As of the time of publication, the U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau was considering a requirement that alcoholic beverages, including beer, have the same nutrition labels that other consumables do. Some people in the industry are opposed to the plan, arguing that serving sizes of poured drinks are erratic and that the labeling will be a financial burden to manufacturers. Consumer and public health advocates started the push for full labels in 2003, though, so it might be a while before you have a bigger picture of your favorite brew.
References
- "Cooking Light"; Nutrition IQ: Beer; Sidney Fry, MS, RD; May 2011
- LIVESTRONG MyPlate: Beer, Regular
- Beer Marketer's Insights: The U.S. Beer Industry: Key Shipments Data-Brands
- LIVESTRONG MyPlate: Budweiser
- LIVESTRONG MyPlate: Corona Extra
- LIVESTRONG MyPlate: Busch Beer
- LIVESTRONG MyPlate: Miller High Life
- LIVESTRONG MyPlate: Light Beer
- "USA Today"; Alcohol Industry Grapples With Nutrition Labeling; Michelle Locke; January 2011
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