Beer: Calories, Nutrition Facts, and Health Benefits (2026)

Beer contains 153 calories, 1.8 g of protein, and 12.8 g of carbohydrates per 1 can, 12 fl oz (356 g). It has 0 g of sugar and 0 g of fat, making it notable for its alcohol content and carbohydrates. With a glycemic index of about 0, it has a minimal impact on blood sugar levels.

This page provides comprehensive information on the nutritional profile of beer, specifically per 1 can, 12 fl oz (356 g) and per 100 g. It explores its impact on common health goals and compares it to other beverages.

Beer Nutrition Facts (Per Serving and Per 100 g)

The following table outlines the nutrition facts for beer, highlighting key components such as calories, protein, and carbohydrates.

Values are for 1 can, 12 fl oz (356 g).

Nutrient	Per Serving	Per 100 g	% Daily Value (per serving)
Calories	153	43	8%
Protein	1.8 g	0.5 g	4%
Carbohydrates	12.8 g	3.6 g	5%
Fiber	0.0 g	0.0 g	0%
Sugar	0.0 g	0.0 g	-
Fat	0.0 g	0.0 g	0%
Vitamin C	0.0 mg	0.0 mg	0%
Potassium	96 mg	27 mg	2%
Potassium	96 mg	27 mg	2%

About 88% of beer calories come from carbohydrates, 12% from protein and 0% from fat.

Beer by Health Goal

In this section, we evaluate how beer rates against common health goals, offering insights into its suitability for various dietary needs.

Goal	Rating	Why
Weight loss	Fair	153 calories per serving from alcohol; liquid calories are easy to over-consume
Blood sugar / diabetes	Fair	Alcohol can make blood sugar swing, especially on an empty stomach
Immunity	Fair	Not a significant source of immune-supporting nutrients
Digestion	Fair	No fiber, and alcohol can irritate digestion in excess
Heart health	Fair	Alcohol adds empty calories; any heart benefit is modest and limited to light intake
Muscle gain	Fair	Low in protein (1.8 g per serving)

Beer and Blood Sugar

Glycemic index: 0. Glycemic load: 2 per serving.

Beer has little carbohydrate, but alcohol itself affects blood sugar: it can cause a drop, especially on an empty stomach, so people managing diabetes should be cautious.

How Beer Compares to Other Drinks

The comparison table below illustrates how beer stacks up against other popular drinks in terms of calories and nutritional content.

Drink (per 100 g)	Calories	Sugar (g)	Carbs (g)	Protein (g)
Beer	43	0.0	3.6	0.5
White Wine	82	1.0	2.6	0.1
Red Wine	85	0.6	2.6	0.1
Coca-Cola	38	10.6	10.6	0.0

Beer Myths, Checked

Beer is just liquid bread with no downside , Misleading. A regular beer has about 150 calories plus alcohol, which the body burns before fat.

Light beer is calorie-free , False. Light beer has fewer calories, around 100, but is not free.

How to Track Beer

Liquid calories from beer are easy to forget, since drinks do not feel as filling as food for the same number of calories. Nutrola identifies food from a photo, barcode or voice entry and returns calories and macros, so you can log beer accurately instead of estimating. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

For related references, see every soft drink ranked by calories and sugar, every alcoholic drink ranked by calories, and calories in every beer, wine and spirit by brand.

Sources

Nutrition values are from the USDA FoodData Central database, shown per serving and per 100 g, rounded. Percent Daily Values use US reference intakes for a 2,000 calorie diet. Glycemic index and load are from published international tables and vary by variety, ripeness and cooking method. This is educational and not medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many calories are in a beer?

A standard beer contains approximately 153 calories per 1 can, 12 fl oz (356 g). This calorie count can vary slightly depending on the type and brand of beer.

Is beer good for weight loss?

Beer can be part of a weight loss plan when consumed in moderation, as it contains fewer calories compared to many sugary drinks. However, excessive consumption may hinder weight loss efforts due to its caloric content.

Can people with diabetes eat beer?

People with diabetes can consume beer, but they should monitor their intake due to its carbohydrate content. The glycemic index of beer is about 0, which means it has a minimal impact on blood sugar levels.

How much protein is in beer?

Beer contains about 1.8 g of protein per 1 can, 12 fl oz (356 g). While it is not a significant source of protein, it can contribute to daily intake when consumed as part of a balanced diet.

Is beer high in sugar?

Beer is low in sugar, containing 0 g of sugar per 1 can, 12 fl oz (356 g). This makes it a preferable choice for those looking to limit their sugar intake.

How many calories are in a beer?

A typical beer has around 153 calories per 1 can, 12 fl oz (356 g). This calorie count can vary based on the beer's style and alcohol content.

Key Takeaways

• Beer contains 153 calories per 1 can, 12 fl oz (356 g).
• It has 1.8 g of protein and 12.8 g of carbohydrates.
• Beer has 0 g of sugar and 0 g of fat.
• The glycemic index of beer is about 0.
• Beer provides 96 mg of potassium per serving.
• Moderate consumption may fit into a balanced diet.