St Patrick’s Day – Light Beer Top 7

1) Guinness Draft

Calories: 125
Total carbs: 9.8 g
Alcohol content: 4.2%
I accept this is not aw “light beer” but at only 125 calories, it gets a pass. A dark and really smooth beer with no real carbonation to speak of, so you will feel less bloated. Goes down really smoothly, with a rich and powerful flavor with chocolate undertones. Pretty standard alcohol content so drink in moderation. Guinness is the most caloric beer on this list but it scores high since the intense flavor provided far outweighs the calories thus is more satisfying. Bonus, health benefits thanks to high anti-oxidant levels. A pint of the black stuff a day may work as well as a low dose aspirin to prevent heart clots that raise the risk of heart attacks. Researchers believe that “antioxidant compounds” in the Guinness, similar to those found in certain fruits and vegetables, are responsible for the health benefits because they slow harmful cholesterol from depositing on artery walls.

2) Becks Premier Light
Calories: 64
Total carbs: 3.9 g
Alcohol content: 2.3%
This is a very crisp and refreshing beer. Taste is light, slightly bitter with a pleasant aftertaste. At just 64 calories and 3.9 carbs, it’s a great choice for a summer afternoons by the pool. However with the low alcohol content, if you’re looking to get a significant “buzz” this may not be the best choice. A good choice for those times when you want some beer, but you need something less filling and easy on the stomach.

3) Amstel Light
Calories: 95
Total carbs: 5g
Alcohol content: 3.5%
Amstel light is a typical European lager, clean crisp taste. Decent white head. Easy to drink. While it has a reasonably high level of carbonation, it doesn’t bloat quite as much as some of the others on this list. At 95 calories it’s not the lowest calorie but it does yield 3.5% alcohol content so it’s easier to get a buzz. Additionally, the brown bottle it comes decreases the likelihood of contamination by light exposure, resulting in staleness. All in all, a pretty good choice of beer for sitting around with some buddies watching soccer.

4) Heineken Premium Light
Calories: 99
Total carbs: 6.8 g
Alcohol content: 3.5%
Has crystal clear yellow in color and has a moderate amount of carbonation. Pours with a finger high white head that dies down but maintains a thin head covering the surface. Decent alcohol content. Less than 100 calories. Tastes very similar to a regular Heineken, reasonably bitter flavor from the hops. Overall, it’s slightly better than expected for the beer having a ” light ” label on it. Realistically, it’s just another Euro Lager, although far better than some of the other light beers on the list.

5) MGD 64  *AWARD: Volume Drinker’s Best Choice
Calories: 64
Total carbs: 2.4
Alcohol content: 2.8%
MGD 64 is really light in color and aroma. It is also slightly over-carbonated but easy to drink. Flavor is mild and not particularly satisfying but also not off-putting. It’s reasonably refreshing but all in all, pretty unremarkable as a true beer. Really low calorie but also low alcohol content. So if you’re a volume drinker, this would be a good choice. At just 64 calories, which is the lowest on this list, 2-3 MGD 64’s equates to 1 regular beer. So having a few beers with buddies while watching football won’t wreck your entire diet, provided you stay away from the fried bar snacks.

6) Michelob Ultra
Calories: 95
Total Carbs: 2.6 g
Alcohol content: 4.2%
Delivered in a dark bottle – always an encouraging sign indicating it hasn’t been ruined by sunlight. Decent taste with a pourable head but it doesn’t last. Beer has a stronger taste then you expect, but still not very flavorful. It’s light and a little watery, carbonation is there but not as pronounced as several other beers on this list. Although better tasting than MGD 64, the extra 31 calories aren’t really worth it, and I’m glad they dropped Lance’s roid-raging butt from the TV ads.

7) Corona Light
Calories: 105
Total carbs: 5 g
Alcohol content: 4.5%
Corona light is a really light-colored beer that lacks flavor. It is also way over carbonated, kinda tastes like seltzer water that’s got a slightly bitter taste. No real beer flavor whatsoever. If you add a squeeze of lime it becomes palatable but still not great. All in all, your 105 calories could be better spent elsewhere. Even at a Mexican restaurant, opt rather for a “skinny margarita” (tequila, lime juice, club soda).