Need suggestions for decent "light" commercial beer

[user 117534]

I'm not a fan of commercially produced "light" beers but I need to find one that actually tastes good. I need to cut my calorie intake and save some money (I still buy beer even though I have my own on tap), so I can't keep going for the 150+ calorie 6-pack for $7-8. So far the only large commercial beer I've found that is around 100 calories and actually still tastes somewhat like beer is Miller Light. If its really cold it actually isn't too bad, although the body and finish are disappointing. It is still better than most other similar beers (e.g. Bud Light, Coors Light). I just need something around 100-120 calories per beer that I can find without driving around everywhere, and isn't going to break the bank. It needs to be a light American ale or lager that SWMBO can also drink, since this will be the "filler" beer.

 

[daksin]

Why not brew an english bitter. Something in the low to mid 1.030s will give you something with around 110-120 kcals per 12 oz bottle. Tons of flavor, fewer calories. A thousand times better than miller light.

My favorite recipe is 5.5lbs MO (or 2-row), 0.5lbs english medium crystal, and 1/4lb special roast. Mash around 153-154. S-04 or your favorite british ale yeast (WLP002 or 1968 is also great).

 

[NervousDad]

Amstel light or Yuengling Light (looks like you can't get it)

 

[sapperxl]

Shiner blonde light. Decent taste, 99 calories, will still get you drunk if you drink enough of them. Dunno if you can get them in MO tho, Shiner is a regional beer.

 

[user 117534]

Why not brew an english bitter. Something in the low to mid 1.030s will give you something with around 110-120 kcals per 12 oz bottle. Tons of flavor, fewer calories. A thousand times better than miller light.

I like bitters. But, I'm really looking for something that I can buy in the store. We just moved and I'm strapped for time and money so until I get caught up I'm not able to have more than one batch at a time going, and my single fermenter will be tied up making a pumpkin ale for this fall.

 

[user 117534]

Shiner blonde light. Decent taste, 99 calories, will still get you drunk if you drink enough of them. Dunno if you can get them in MO tho, Shiner is a regional beer.

They sell Shiner Bock at quite a few local grochery stores but I never paid close enough attention to see if they have more of their beers. There is a liquor store chain, Friar Tuck's, that stocks a lot of hard to find stuff, the trick is getting it when its cheap.

I'll see what I can find, thanks.

 

[RainyDay]

Scotch/Whiskey only has ~68 calories per pour (1oz) I've started drinking less beer and more scotch (low quanity, not looking for a buzz) during the week to cut down on my caloric intake.

 

[codycodycody]

I keep Busch lite stocked in my fridge for my buddies and when I'm in the mood to drink all day. It like 95 calories and IMO way better than Miller Lite. Sounds like my palate may be a bit different than yours. Oh, and its super cheap. Good Luck

 

[GarageDweller]

Not to be intrusive, but why the reduced calories? Maybe eat a few less pieces of bread and stick with the beer you like? Probably not helpful, but what the heck.

 

[codycodycody]

not to be intrusive, but why the reduced calories? Maybe eat a few less pieces of bread and stick with the beer you like? Probably not helpful, but what the heck.

+1.

 

[TopherM]

+2

6x100=600 calories
-VS-
6x150=900 calories

300 extra calories is only making you gain about a pound every 11 2/3 weeks (3500 excess calories = 1 lb gained), which equals about 4.5 lbs for the year....and that's assuming you drink a 6 pack EVERY DAY. It's certainly not your problem in the grand scheme of things.

I understand the "every little bit counts" mentality, but isn't it easier to skip 15 minutes of TV each day you drink a 6-pack and take the dog for a walk instead of trading good beer for shyte? Hell, find a dog-friendly restuarant/bar and just walk there to drink!

Like Sir Benjamin Roosevelt Twain III, Esq. said, "Life's too short to drink sh**ty beer!!"

 

[user 117534]

Not to be intrusive, but why the reduced calories? Maybe eat a few less pieces of bread and stick with the beer you like? Probably not helpful, but what the heck.

Because if I want more than 1 beer it makes it easier to not have to modify my diet. For example, I can drink 3 "light" beers for the same amount of calories as 2 "big" beers (an IPA for example). I don't drink to get drunk, so I'm not pounding these back, but on a hot summers day (it is 102 here now with a heat index of 108) when you spend the afternoon/evening outside an extra beer really helps, even if it isn't the best beer in the world.

Edit: Plus American Light Lagers tend to be more agreeable with SWMBO and guests since that is what they're used to. Most of them don't care for a good IPA or witbier since it is too "different" than what they're used to.

 

[MisterTipsy]

Brooklyn Summer Ale - 4.5%

135 calories and it has hops you can taste. Good for a light beer.

 

[RainyDay]

Because if I want more than 1 beer it makes it easier to not have to modify my diet.

Not trying to troll or instigate or anything, but it sounds like you're already spending a lot of energy trying to modify your diet (via beer), when it would be a lot easier to cut back on your carb intake (or sweets, or fats, etc etc) and take a walk around the block a couple times a week than trying to find a decent beer that you dont seem to want to drink anyway. To each their own though

 

[RainyDay]

In addition, even going to around 150 calories will allow you to drink a lot of the 'grocery store' IPAs (not the big industrials, but the 'lighter' IPAs).

 

[CastleHollow]

To cut calories, I would rather cut quantity than cut quality. Stick with the better beers you enjoy, just drink less, or less frequently.

If not, Miller Light is a good choice, or you can try Mich Ultra. Sam Adams Light is decent, about 110 cal but more $.

 

[TopherM]

or you can try Mich Ultra

Take a good beer, pour it into a 20 oz glass. Fill 12 oz with the good beer and 6 oz with water. There's your 100 calorie beer that HAS to be better than Mich Ultra!

 

[Calichusetts]

Blatant session IPA...so good! 3.9% and nothing comes close to it in the 3% range. I don't know how widely available it is though.

 

[PapsD]

Founders all day ipa maybe?

Or u could compromise and just get bud or coors. Perhaps a little PBR? Tall boys r always good.

No lite beer is gonna have much flavor.

 

[davidy97]

I second taking a good beer, pouring 1/2 in a mug and filling the second 1/2 with water. Better than drinking Keystone light.

 

[Thakaz]

Brooklyn Summer Ale - 4.5%

135 calories and it has hops you can taste. Good for a light beer.

^This is a great option.

 

[Thakaz]

Never mind, can't get this in MO.

http://www.seekabrew.com/#

 

[MisterTipsy]

^This is a great option.

I don't know of a beer with less than 135 calories that tastes better.

Too bad it's a seasonal.

 

[MisterTipsy]

Southampton Berliner Weisse - 60 calories - perfect for the beer geek on a diet!

Lindemans Framboise - 75 calories - Only ok to drink if you're a female

New Glarus Apple Ale - 115 calories and delicious!

 

[MisterTipsy]

Mikkeller - Drink'in in the Sun 12

less than 100 calories and 1.9% abv.

$12 a pint

funny ad for the beer