Here’s the thing about the best light beer: If you have a brand to which you are loyal, that is always going to be the best light beer for you. I won’t try to convince you otherwise. We’ll just get into a fight…again. Please, let’s be friends.
But if you’re interested in finding out which light beer is the best tasting light beer for reals, then please, by all means, keep reading.
Allow me to start by saying that my first light beer was Keystone Light. It was the light beer of choice for my college, so I didn’t really have a choice. You’ll notice that beer does not appear on this list. That is not a light beer for sipping. It is a light beer for college, and I’ll leave it at that. For this taste test, I was looking for the best light beers to drink—not chug. I wanted a light beer that was crisp and clean but still tasted like a decent beer—something I could imagine drinking more than one of without feeling like I was missing out on real beer. I looked for a balance between malt and hops and a lack of that telltale stale beer taste that so many cheap light beers have even when they’re fresh.
I sat down to 12 light beers and came out with six that I honestly believe are worth buying. Here are the six best light beers ranked from good to incredible.
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- Bud Light
Have I been drinking stale Bud Light my whole life? Because I’ve never enjoyed a can of Bud Light until trying it for this taste test. I finally get it, guys. A fresh, crisp, right-from-the-fridge Bud Light is undeniably one of the best light beers. It’s crisp. It has a touch of malty sweetness on the finish. It tastes like beer. It is refreshing as all get out. I still won’t choose to buy Bud Light, but if someone offers me an ice-cold BL, I will gladly gulp it down.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Michelob Ultra
If you believe the commercials, this is the best light beer to drink after a long bike ride or kayaking adventure. But you don’t need to be a Tough Mudder to enjoy a Michelob Ultra. It has a toasty aroma with notes of pear. Take a sip and you’ll be refreshed but still get some nice, fall-y malt flavors. It tastes fresh and crisp and not at all like a high school basement party. It tastes like a grown-up beer. I would happily drink this on a patio or porch or, fine, after running a 5K.
Credit: Liv Averett / Total Wine
- Heineken Light
If Michelob Ultra was the best light beer for fall, then Heineken Light is the best light beer for springtime. It has almost grassy notes with some citrus zest. It gives music-festival-in-Central-Park vibes. You can drink down a couple of these and feel like dancing on the lawn. That’s to say, it won’t bog you down. It’s an uplifting beer.
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- Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty
If you usually drink East Coast IPAs but are looking for something that isn’t 8% ABV, this is the best light beer for you. Dogfish Head didn’t slack when they decided to make a light beer. They put just as much effort into this one as they did any of their more adventurous craft brews. It’s extremely easy to drink thanks to its mild fizziness with a tasty bitter finish. Take a sniff and you’ll get those hops you’re looking for.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Corona Light
Corona Light is the best light beer to drink when you want to pretend you’re on vacation. It’s grassy and fresh and it tastes like a day at the beach. Yes, some of that is probably due to the brand’s extremely effective advertising (the Christmas commercial alone is proof of that), but I swear Corona Light is also just a great tasting light beer. And one of the things it definitely tastes like is weed (I can say that—I live in California where it’s legal). So if you don’t like the taste of marijuana, you should probably steer clear of Corona Light. But if you get down with the kine bud (I am so sorry, parents), then you should revisit this summertime classic.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Kona Light
This is by far the best light beer you can buy at grocery stores. It’s downright tropical with notes of pineapple balanced with herbaceous hops. It doesn’t taste like you’re sacrificing anything. I would choose to drink it over many non-light beers. If you come to my house (please don’t), I will offer you one of these, because I will be stocking my fridge with Kona Light for all my day drinking needs from now on.
Credit: Liv Averett / Total Wine
Best Refreshing
Best Malty
Best Grassy
Best for IPA Lovers
Best Vacation Beer
Best of the Best
Other light beers we tried: Coors Light, Blue Moon Light Sky, Bud Light Premium, Lagunitas Day Time, Miller Lite, Corona Premier
a very good and quick review of something I’m interested in, thanks for not boring me to death, I will try the Kona light, I like pineapple.
I will try the Kona Light, sounds intriguing. I will say though Bud Light has a after taste that is horrible, don’t know how this get the best refreshing with a 7/10
Shiner light is pretty good when you can find it. Also I feel that most light beer tastes best out of a ln aluminum bottle.
I hope you try Amstel light