Keto Beer: Best Options for a Low-Carb Diet

After a long day, there’s nothing quite like cracking open a cold beer. But if you’re on a ketogenic diet, can you still enjoy a beer? The answer is: it depends on the type of beer you choose. Some beers are naturally low in carbs, while others can derail your keto goals in no time.

Whether you’re into rich ales or fruity lagers, this article has got you covered on all things beer for a low-carb diet.

Why Most Beers Aren’t Keto-Friendly

Let’s face it: most beers are packed with carbs—some even more than candy, desserts, and soda. It’s no wonder beer is often called “liquid bread.” This is the main reason why beer is generally a no-go on keto.

Many people find that their weight loss stalls when they drink alcohol. We know that sugary drinks like sweet cocktails can kick you out of ketosis due to their high carb content, but even low-carb alcoholic beverages can cause issues.

Why? It’s not about the calories, but how your body processes alcohol. On a ketogenic diet, your body runs on fat for energy, and studies suggest that alcohol can block your body’s fat-burning abilities.

When you drink alcohol, your body prioritizes metabolizing it over other nutrients to use as fuel. This can significantly slow down the fat-burning processes that are crucial for an effective keto diet.

Beers to Avoid on Keto

The key to keto is keeping your daily carb intake low. For some, that means less than 20 grams of net carbs per day, while others might aim for up to 50 grams. When it comes to beer, drinking more than one of the following can quickly knock you out of ketosis.

Depending on your individual macro requirements, you might be able to get away with a slightly higher-carb beer. Drinking just one might not hurt your keto goals too much, but we recommend opting for a lower-carb beer whenever possible. We’ll discuss some keto-friendly beer options later in this article.

Here are some high-carb beers to avoid on keto:

• Bud Light Straw-Ber-Rita
  Carbs: 23.6 grams
  Calories per 8 oz: 200
• Guinness Extra Stout
  Calories per 12 oz: 176
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
  Calories per 8 oz: 175
• Samuel Adams Boston Lager
  Calories per 12 oz: 175
• Blue Moon Belgian White
  Calories per 12 oz: 164
• Dos Equis
  Calories per 12 oz: 131
• Corona Extra
  Calories per 12 oz: 148
• Budweiser
  Calories per 12 oz: 145
• Heineken
  Calories per 12 oz: 142

Keto-Approved Beers

The good news is that with the rise of the keto lifestyle, the alcohol industry is now offering more low-carb, low-calorie beers. These keto-friendly beers are available worldwide.

Here are some keto-approved beers we recommend:

• Devil’s Backbone Brewing Co. Bright Tangerine Sparkling Ale
  Carbs: 2 grams
  Calories per 12 oz: 90
• Corona Premier
  Carbs: 2.6 grams
  Calories per 12 oz: 90
• Michelob Ultra
  Carbs: 2.6 grams
  Calories per 12 oz: 95
• Lagunitas DayTime IPA
  Carbs: 3 grams
  Calories per 12 oz: 98
• Shiner Ruby Redbird Lager
  Carbs: 3.1 grams
  Calories per 12 oz: 95
• Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty IPA
  Carbs: 3.6 grams
  Calories per 12 oz: 95
• Ommegang Brut IPA
  Carbs: 3.9 grams
  Calories per 12 oz: 140
• Kona Brewing Co. Kahana Blonde Ale
  Carbs: 4 grams
  Calories per 12 oz: 99
• Deschutes Brewery Da Shootz! Pilsner
  Carbs: 4.2 grams
  Calories per 12 oz: 99
• Four Peaks Brut IPA
  Carbs: 5 grams
  Calories per 12 oz: 152
• Amstel Light
  Calories per 12 oz: 95
• Budweiser Select 55 Premium Light
  Carbs: 1.8 grams
  Calories per 12 oz: 55
• Beck’s Premier Light
  Carbs: 3.9 grams
  Calories per 12 oz: 64
• Yuengling Light Lager
  Carbs: 3.2 grams
  Calories per 12 oz: 99
• Miller 64 Extra Light Lager
  Carbs: 2.4 grams
  Calories per 12 oz: 64

Other Keto-Approved Alcoholic Drinks

Not in the mood for beer? Hard liquor and an occasional glass of wine can be great keto-friendly alternatives, as they contain significantly fewer carbs than beer. Stick to the following drinks, and you can enjoy a social drink without compromising your keto diet.

Hard Liquor

Opt for liquors that contain zero carbs and zero sugars. Clear liquors with about 40% alcohol are your safest bet. These include:

• Cognac
• Scotch
• Rum
• Brandy
• Whiskey
• Tequila
• Vodka
• Gin

Note: If you can’t drink it straight, make sure your mixer contains zero or minimal carbs. For example, choose a vodka and club soda instead of vodka and soda pop.

Better yet, get creative with your own keto-friendly cocktails, like:

• Keto Blackberry Basil Cocktail
• Keto Cosmo Seltzer Cocktail
• Keto Mojito with Coconut, Mint, and Lime

Drink Alcohol Sparingly on Keto

Enjoying a drink or two occasionally is perfectly fine on a ketogenic diet. If you choose to drink, make sure to pick from our list of keto-approved beverages and avoid sugary drinks at all costs. Remember, moderation is key.