Atkins. Zone. South Beach. Low Carb is the buzz word of the day, and Low Carb Beer is no exception. Beer companies are jumping on the band wagon at the speed of light – Light Beer, Low Carb Beer, Ultra Beer – all hoping to grab a lion’s share of the market while maintaining the physique of the American beer lover. Current stats show low carb and light beers accounting for 40 percent of the US beer market. And growing!

Debate was hot in early 2004, as beer companies grabbed at straws to label their pale ales and light beers as low carb. But on April 8, 2004, the US Treasury Department Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Tax & Trade set initial definitions of “low carb” beer as those having less than 7 grams of carbohydrates. Of course, the outer edge was also set for “reduced” or “lower carb” beer – those that have greater than 7 grams of carbohydrates, but less than the original versions from which they were developed.

General comparisons:
Regular: 9-15 g carbs. 145 calories
Light: 7-12 g carbs 88-110 calories
Low Carb: >7 g carbs 88-110 calories

Opinions of Beer Lovers vary greatly over the taste of Low Carb Beer. Some say that this style is for non-beer drinkers who are only interested in low carbs. Others have definite preferences for hop flavor and rich, frothy heads. They demand flavor from their low carb selection. Beer companies are rising to the challenge by introducing new brews to the market daily.

Carbs and calories are not the only consideration in selecting a low carb beer. Alcohol content is critical. The body has to metabolize the alcohol in beer. This alcohol is first absorbed by the stomach and intestinal wall, then by the liver. A complex chemical process occurs in the body, which translates into a detrimental alteration of the body’s ability to use up the calories consumed. Even with the switch to low carb beer, you need to “go light” if you truly want to keep the weight away from those rippling, toned muscles that were, so recently, dripping with sweat at the gym.

Official Low Carb Beer List:

• Rhinelander Extra – Karlsberg Brauerei, Germany / 2.5g / 106 calories / 5% ABV / NOTE: Closest to regular beer in hop taste and aroma.
• Accel – F. X. Matt Brewing Co. NY / 2.4g / 89 calories / 4% ABV / NOTE: Golden color – Brewed strong, then is water infused to reduce the carb/calorie level.
• Michelob Ultra– Anheuser-Busch,Missouri / 2.6g / 95 calories / 4.2% ABV / NOTE: Official beer of the LPGA Tour.
• DAB – Dortmund Actien Brauerei, Germany / 2g / 92 calories / ~4% ABV / NOTE: Grassy and malty aroma with balanced hop character
• Molson Ultra – Molson Brewing,Canada / 2.5g / 97 calories / 4.5% ABV / NOTE: Drinkable.
• Ultra Blonde – Diamond Bear Brewing, Arkansas / 1.65g / 85 calories / 4.7 AVB / NOTE: Premium light lager-no adjuncts or additives
• Amstel Light – Amstel Brewery / 5g / 95 calories / 3.5% ABV / NOTE: No. 1 imported light beer in the US
• Labatt Select – Labatt Brewing Company, Canada / 2.5g / 99 calories / 4.2% ABV / NOTE: Malty, light taste
• Yuengling Light – D.G. Yuengling & Son, PA / 6.6g / 98 calories / 3.8% ABV / NOTE: Tastes like a regular lager!
• Genny Light – Genessee/High Falls, New York / 5.5g / 96 calories / 3.6% ABV
• Rock Green Light - Latrobe Brewing, PA / 2.4g / 91.4 calories / 4% ABV
• Aspen Edge – Coors Brewery, Colorado / 2.6g / 94 calories / 4.13% ABV
• Coors Light Coors Brewery, Colorado / 5g / 102 calories / 4.2% ABV
• Natural Light - Anheuser Busch, Missouri / 3.2g / 95 calories / 4.2% ABV
• Coastal Light – Steinhaus Brewery, California / 3.9g / 98 calories / 3.6% ABV
• El Gran Campeon Light – La Constancia, El Salvador / 4.9g / N/A / N/A
• Keystone Light – Coors Brewing, Colorado / 5g / 104 calories / 4.2% ABV
• Iron City Light – Pittsburgh Brewery, PA / 2.8g / 95 calories / 4.1% ABV
• Miller Light – Miller Brewing, Wisconsin / 3.2g / 96 calories / 4.5% ABV
• Bud Light – Anheuser Busch, Missouri / 6.6g / 110 calories / 4.2% ABV
• Bud Ice Light - Anheuser Busch, Missouri / 6.5g / 112 calories / 4.1% ABV
• San Mig Light – San Miguel Brewing, Philippines / 3.2g / 98 calories / 5% ABV
• Corona Light – Corona Cerveceria, Mexico / 5g / 109 calories / 4.5% ABV
• Pig’s Eye Light - Pig’s Eye Brewing, Wisconsin / 2.6g / 94.5 calories / 4.2% ABV

Beer Fox Recommendation:  Give Low-Carb beer a chance. Try at least three different brands. Better yet, try them all! Brewers clearly understand that the demand for low carb beer is on the rise, so the selection is getting better as brewing methods become more sophisticated.  The result is beer with a more robust taste and staying power.

And that makes for loyal fans!

You may wish to add a bit of class when serving beer. This classic set is a great starting point. You may also wish to seek out Stemmed Pilsners or Wheat Beer Glasses before expanding to Champagne Flutes or Digestive Glasses.
Spiegelau Barrel Beer Classics Lager Glass, Set of 6 in Barrel Gift Tube

Buffalo Bills Low Carb Lovers 6-Pack Gift Cooler (filled with 20 assorted packs of Buffalo Bills low carb meat snacks) - Nothing quite so cool as having meat! Snacks, that is. Low carb, good for you and great with beer.