Gwynedd Stuart
Justine Sterling
Since the dawn of the Atkins Diet (and the many low-carb diets that gained popularity in its wake), there’s been a higher demand for low-carb beers. For a while there, it seemed like dieters’ options began and ended with Michelob Ultra. But, these days, there’s more than even light beers that happen to be low carb. There are low carb beers specifically designed to be low carb—and still tasty.
What’s the best low carb beer, though? Well, over the course of two taste tests we tried a whole bunch and found a few top picks in all manner of beer styles.
What we looked for in the best low carb beer
Decent ABV. A lot of low-carb beers have a low, low ABV, but that’s not the case with all of them! You can drink low-carb beer and still catch a buzz. Ideally, the best low carb beer is 4% ABV or above, though you’ll see some lower ABV brews on this list.
Fewer than 5 carbs. All the beers on this list have fewer than five grams of carbs per serving (for context, most beers are way carbier than that; our favorite IPA has 24 grams of carbs per serving, while Michelob Ultra has 2.6 grams per serving).
Real beer flavor. We made sure the low-carb beers we were sipping actually tasted like beer, not beer-flavored seltzer. There are some genuinely flavorful brews on this low-carb beer list!
Best Low Car Beer, Ranked
The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.
- Blue Moon Light Sky Citrus Wheat (3.6 carbs, 4% ABV)
-
Blue Moon reminds me of the early 2000s, and I kind of love that. When I was in college, it seemed so chic to order a beer that came in a 20-ounce pilsner glass with an orange slice perched on the lip. I’ll be honest, it’s not a beer I’ve revisited much over the past couple of decades—we have so many options now!—but this light version is the best low-carb beer option if you want to sip something that’s sweet and won’t challenge your palate. Light Sky is so juicy, it reminded me of a radler. It’s a treat for Sunday brunch. — Gwynedd Stuart
Credit: Merc / Target
- Budweiser Select 55 (1.9g carbs, 2.4% ABV)
-
Okay, I know I said I was eliminating beers that taste like beer-flavored seltzer, but I made an exception for Budweiser Select 55. Why? It’s sooooo low carb. How low carb? Only 1.9 grams per bottle, making it the lowest low carb beer on this list. And, honestly, its whispery flavor isn’t at all unpleasant, especially if you don’t mind light domestic lagers. I noted that it “tastes like nothing in a pleasant way” and reminded me of “the LaCroix of beers.” But if you’re looking for something to slam from kickoff through the end of the fourth quarter, Bud Select will do the trick. — Gwynedd Stuart
Credit: Merc / Vons
- Shiner Ruby Redbird (4.6g carbs, 3.2% ABV)
-
I thought this low carb beer (it falls under our 5 carb limit!) would be sweet. I thought it would be like a diet Shandy. But it really, really isn’t. It goes heavy on the ginger spice with a hint of grapefruit zest. It’s really refreshing, low carb, and only 85 calories. It’s unlike any of the other low carb beers we tried. If you don’t like the traditional flavor of light beer—or beer in general—this is a great option. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Total Wine
- Miller Lite (2.4g carbs, 4.2% ABV)
-
We tried both Miller Lite and Miller 64. The latter has fewer calories (64, duh) and fewer carbs per serving (2.4), but in terms of taste, Miller Lite is the much better low-carb beer, with a modest 96 calories and 3.2 grams of carbs. Miller Lite isn’t exactly bursting with flavor as it is, but it’s dramatically tastier than Miller 64—I swear you can actually taste fermented malt and barley when you take a sip, while Miller 64 is like beer-tinged carbonated water. It also has a normal alcohol content: 4.2 ABV to Miller 64’s wildly low 2.8. Personally, I’ll take the extra carbs if I can actually enjoy the beer. — Gwynedd Stuart
Credit: Merc / Vons
- Dale’s American Light Lager (2.5g carbs, 4.2% ABV)
-
This low carb beer walks a thin line between flavorful lager and crisp, super light beer. It’s really the best low carb beer for someone who thinks something like Miller Lite is too light but thinks something like an IPA is way too strong. It’s very light, for sure, but slightly bitter. A really great low carb beer for a really picky beer drinker. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Total Wine
- Kona Light Blonde Ale (4g carbs, 4.2% ABV)
-
This was the best light beer we tasted during our light beer taste test, and it also happens to qualify as low carb—huzzah! According to Sporked’s Justine Sterling, it’s “downright tropical with notes of pineapple balanced with herbaceous hops. It doesn’t taste like you’re sacrificing anything.” And you’re not! Except fullness and a beer gut. This beer has just 99 calories a bottle and 4 grams of carbs. It’s the best light beer and it just also happens to be one of the best low-carb beers, too. — Gwynedd Stuart
Credit: Merc / Walmart
- Lagunitas Day Time (3g carbs, 4% ABV)
-
This is by far the best low carb IPA I’ve ever had. With just 3 carbs per can, it still manages to be full of flavor—lots of resin-y hops and citrus rind. But it’s also a super sessionable beer. It’s exceedingly drinkable. As you might expect from its name, this is definitely a day drinking beer. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Total Wine
- Omission Ultimate Golden Ale (3g carbs, 4.2% ABV)
-
I really, really like Omission beers. We got these in for our best gluten-free beer ranking (sadly, they’re gluten reduced rather than totally gluten free), and I ended up hanging on to a few cans because they’re also low carb! This golden ale has just 3 grams of carbs per serving, but still packs so much flavor. It’s simultaneously warm and bright; in fact, in my ranking of the best gluten-free beers, I referred to it as “light, lovely, and quaffable.” If you hate heavy beers but still want flavor, this one of the best low-carb beers you can buy. — Gwynedd Stuart
Credit: Merc / Instacart
- Omission Ultimate Wheat Ale (2.3g carbs, 4% ABV)
-
Both of the Omission beers on this list are excellent, but the Wheat Ale gets the top spot on our list of the best low-carb beers because it’s slightly less carby (just 2.3 grams per serving!) and has a nice, citrusy tang that’s extremely appealing. It’s a summery sip that’ll help you get through the doldrums of winter without ruining your beach bod (okay, but also allow me to say, ALL BODIES ARE BEACH BODIES). This is the best low-carb beer you can buy. — Gwynedd Stuart
Credit: Merc / Total Wine & More
Best Citrusy Low Carb Beer
Best Super Low Carb Beer
Best Low Carb Flavored Beer
Best Light Beer If You Want to Catch a Buzz
Best Low Carb Lager
Best Low Carb Blonde
Best Low Carb IPA
Best Low Carb Golden Ale
Ariana Losch
Matt Crowley
Naajia Shukri
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!