A glass of regular beer or wine supplies more than 100 calories. Reduce calories by choosing light beers, limiting the amount or switching to non-alcoholic beers and wines. Regular beer and wine are lower in calories than mixed drinks, such as martinis and margaritas.
Calories in Beer
A 12-ounce bottle of regular beer delivers 153 calories, while its light beer counterpart is only 103 calories, according to the United States Department of Agriculture's National Nutrient Database. Beer companies have been trying to cut calories, and Budweiser has stolen the show. Calling it "the lightest beer in the world," Budweiser offers BUD Select 55, a light beer that delivers only 55 calories for a 12-ounce bottle.
Calories in Wine
A five-ounce glass of red or white table wine is 121 to 125 calories. Dessert wines are higher. A 3.5-ounce glass of dry dessert wine is 157 calories, and a sweet dessert wine is 165 calories. Note that a 5-ounce glass of non-alcoholic wine is only 10 calories.
Bottomless Cup
Waiters and friends like to refill that wine glass or toss you another beer. Calories add up fast. Two 5-ounce glasses of wine totals 242 to 250 calories, and three glasses total 363 to 375 calories. Two regular beers are 306 calories, and three are 459 calories.
Beer and Wine Compared with Hard Liquor
A 1.5-ounce jigger of vodka, rum, gin or whiskey is 97 calories. One jigger full of hard liquor served on the rocks is less calories than a glass of regular beer or wine. Mixers can add many more calories. One apple martini is 235 calories, according to Calorie King. One large margarita is 325 calories, according to The Daily Plate.
Beer vs. Wine
Regular beer has more calories than table wine, although light beer has less. A 12-ounce bottle of Coors non-alcoholic beer has 65 calories, according to CalorieCount.About.com. Non-alcoholic wine has the least of all: a 5-ounce glass has only 10 calories.
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