Calories in Beer: Light, Regular, IPA and Stout
How many calories are in a can, bottle or pint of beer – light, regular, IPA, stout and non-alcoholic – plus carbs and how to estimate any beer.
A cold beer after work, at a game or with friends is part of life for many people. But beer has calories too – and they add up faster than most people think. So how many calories are in a beer, and which beers are lightest?
The short answer: a regular 12 oz (355 ml) beer has about 150 calories, a light beer about 100 and an IPA 200–250. Most of the calories come from the alcohol, so the stronger the beer, the more calories it has. Non-alcoholic beer has the fewest – about 50–90 calories.
Calories in beer by type
Values for a 12 oz (355 ml) can or bottle. Regular and light beer from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA FoodData Central); other types are typical values:
| Beer | Alcohol | Calories (12 oz) | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-alcoholic beer | 0–0.5% | 50–90 kcal | 10–18 g |
| Light beer | about 4% | 100 kcal | 3–6 g |
| Regular lager | about 5% | 150 kcal | 13 g |
| Guinness Draught (stout) | 4.2% | about 125 kcal | about 10 g |
| Wheat beer | about 5.5% | about 170 kcal | about 15 g |
| IPA | 6–7% | 200–250 kcal | 15–20 g |
| Double IPA or imperial stout | 8–10% | 280–350 kcal | 20–30 g |
The bigger the alcohol percentage, the more calories – alcohol has 7 calories per gram, almost as much as fat. Craft beers are often both stronger and sweeter, so a single IPA can have as many calories as two light beers.
Calories by serving size
| Serving | Light beer (4%) | Regular (5%) | IPA (6.5%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 oz can or bottle (355 ml) | 100 kcal | 150 kcal | 210 kcal |
| 16 oz US pint (473 ml) | 135 kcal | 205 kcal | 280 kcal |
| UK pint (568 ml) | 165 kcal | 245 kcal | 335 kcal |
| 24 oz tallboy (710 ml) | 205 kcal | 305 kcal | 420 kcal |
| Six-pack (6 × 12 oz) | 600 kcal | 900 kcal | 1,260 kcal |
Tip: in bars, beer is often served in pints (16–20 oz), not 12 oz bottles. Two pints of IPA can easily be 550–650 calories – the same as a full meal.
How to estimate the calories in any beer
If your beer has no nutrition label, you can estimate it from the alcohol percentage (ABV):
Calories ≈ ounces × ABV × 2.5
- 12 oz × 5% × 2.5 = 150 calories (regular lager)
- 16 oz × 7% × 2.5 = 280 calories (a pint of IPA)
It’s a rough rule – sweeter, heavier beers will be a bit higher – but it’s usually close.
Does beer make you gain weight?
Beer itself isn’t special, but it’s easy to drink a lot of calories without feeling full:
- Liquid calories don’t fill you up the way food does.
- Alcohol tends to increase appetite and lowers your guard around snacks – think chips, wings and pizza.
- While your body is busy breaking down alcohol, it burns less fat.
Three regular beers have about 450 calories, and with bar snacks a night out can easily reach 1,000+ calories. Over time, those extra calories often end up around the waist – the famous “beer belly”. Read more about the calorie deficit and find your number with our calorie calculator.
How to drink beer when you’re losing weight
- Choose light or non-alcoholic beer most of the time.
- Watch the size – a 12 oz bottle instead of a pint.
- Alternate with water or sparkling water.
- Plan for it: count beer in your daily calories, and eat a meal with protein before you drink.
- Skip the fried bar snacks or share them.
Health experts also advise keeping alcohol low – the less you drink, the better for your health. In the US, one standard drink equals one 12 oz beer of 5% alcohol.
Count the calories in your beer without guesswork. With NutriSmart, you snap a photo of what you eat, and the app counts your calories, protein, carbs and fat and shows how much you have left for the day. Drinks like beer can be added from the food library, so they’re part of your daily total too.Get the app free
You can also read how many calories are in vodka and other liquors and in a slice of pizza, and see our list of low calorie snacks.
The bottom line
A regular 12 oz beer has about 150 calories, a light beer about 100, an IPA 200–250 and a non-alcoholic beer 50–90. The stronger the beer, the more calories – and pints and craft beers add up fast. If you’re losing weight, choose lighter beers, smaller servings and fewer rounds, and count them in your daily calories.
FAQ
How many calories are in a beer?
A regular 12 oz (355 ml) beer of about 5% alcohol has about 150 calories. A light beer has about 100, an IPA 200–250 and a non-alcoholic beer about 50–90 calories.
How many calories are in a pint of beer?
A US pint (16 oz, 473 ml) of regular 5% beer has about 205 calories. A UK pint (568 ml) of 4% lager has about 210–230 calories, and a pint of strong IPA can have over 300.
Which beer has the fewest calories?
Non-alcoholic beers have the fewest, usually 50–90 calories per 12 oz. Among regular beers, light beers (about 4% alcohol) have about 90–110 calories. Lower alcohol almost always means fewer calories.
Does beer cause a beer belly?
Beer doesn't target your belly, but the calories add up quickly: three regular beers have about 450 calories – as much as a meal. Alcohol also tends to increase appetite and lower your guard around snacks. Over time, extra calories are often stored around the waist.
How many carbs are in beer?
About 13 g in a regular 12 oz beer, 3–6 g in a light beer and 15–20 g or more in strong craft beers. Non-alcoholic beers often have more carbs than light beers, because some sugar isn't fermented.
Is Guinness high in calories?
No. Despite its dark color and creamy look, Guinness Draught has only about 4.2% alcohol and about 125 calories per 12 oz – fewer than many regular lagers.
