Quick Answer
Yes, Pabst Hard Coffee does contain sugar. The main ingredients in Pabst Hard Coffee are malt liquor, milk, cream, sugar, natural flavor, and caramel color. Each 11.5 oz can contains 8g of sugar. While this is lower than some flavored coffee drinks on the market, Pabst Hard Coffee does contain a significant amount of added sugar.
Ingredients in Pabst Hard Coffee
Pabst Hard Coffee contains the following main ingredients:
- Malt liquor
- Milk
- Cream
- Sugar
- Natural flavors
- Caramel color
The malt liquor provides the alcohol content in Pabst Hard Coffee, while the milk, cream, and sugar give it a smooth, creamy, sweet coffee taste. Natural flavors and caramel color provide further flavoring and color.
Looking at the ingredient list, sugar is clearly called out as one of the main ingredients in Pabst Hard Coffee. So while the product provides the spike of alcohol and the taste of coffee, it does rely on added sugar to achieve its signature flavor profile.
Nutrition Facts for Pabst Hard Coffee
Examining the nutrition label on Pabst Hard Coffee also confirms that it contains a significant amount of added sugar.
Here are the nutrition facts for an 11.5 oz can of Pabst Hard Coffee:
| Nutrition Facts | 11.5 fl oz can |
|---|---|
| Calories | 228 |
| Fat | 4g |
| Carbohydrates | 22g |
| Sugar | 8g |
As you can see, a can of Pabst Hard Coffee contains 8g of sugar. Since no other sweeteners are listed in the ingredients, this indicates that the product relies on regular sugar (sucrose) for sweetness.
The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar intake to no more than 25g per day for women and 36g per day for men. With 8g of sugar in just one can, Pabst Hard Coffee provides nearly one third of the recommended daily added sugar intake for women and over 20% for men.
Sugar Content Compared to Other Coffee Drinks
How does the sugar content of Pabst Hard Coffee compare to other sweetened coffee beverages?
Here is a table comparing the sugar in an 11.5 oz can of Pabst Hard Coffee to a 16 oz cup of several popular coffee drinks:
| Beverage | Serving Size | Total Sugar |
|---|---|---|
| Pabst Hard Coffee | 11.5 fl oz | 8g |
| Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino | 16 fl oz | 51g |
| Dunkin Donuts Frozen Mocha Coffee Coolatta | 16 fl oz | 67g |
| Starbucks Caramel Macchiato | 16 fl oz | 38g |
Compared to these other coffee-based drinks from Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts, Pabst Hard coffee is relatively low in sugar. A Frozen Mocha Coffee Coolatta from Dunkin Donuts contains a whopping 67g of sugar in a 16 oz serving – over 8 times the amount of sugar in Pabst Hard Coffee!
Even drinks that don’t sound very sweet, like a Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks, contain nearly 5 times as much sugar as Pabst Hard Coffee.
So while Pabst Hard Coffee does contain sugar, its sugar content is on the lower end compared to other flavored coffee beverages. However, at 8g per can, the sugar content is still significant and worth being aware of.
Sugar Source in Pabst Hard Coffee
Given that the ingredients list simply states “sugar”, we can determine that Pabst Hard Coffee uses plain sucrose as the sugar source. Other sweetened coffee beverages sometimes use alternative sweeteners in place of or in addition to regular sugar.
For example, many Starbucks coffee drinks use a sucrose-based syrup as the sweetener rather than granulated sugar. Dunkin Donuts Coolattas use a proprietary sugary syrup as well.
The fact that Pabst Hard Coffee relies on plain sugar rather than a more complex syrup or other sweeteners means the product has a relatively straightforward sweetness. However, the use of plain sugar also contributes to the beverage’s high sugar content compared to its calories and nutrients.
Sugar adds sweetness with minimal nutritional benefit. Other sweeteners like honey or agave syrup at least contain small amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Table sugar is just empty calories.
Does Pabst Hard Coffee Contain Artificial Sweeteners?
Pabst Hard Coffee does not contain any artificial sweeteners. The ingredients label does not list any sugar substitutes like aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, or acesulfame potassium.
This means the product relies entirely on natural sugar rather than artificial sweeteners for flavor. Many people prefer to avoid artificial sweeteners due to concerns about side effects and health risks.
While natural sugar is still not the healthiest choice, some consumers prefer it over artificial sweeteners. Using plain sugar likely contributes to the authentic, straightforward coffee taste Pabst Hard Coffee is marketed to have.
Ways to Reduce the Sugar Content in Pabst Hard Coffee
If you enjoy Pabst Hard Coffee but want to reduce its sugar content, here are some ideas:
– Add less milk/cream – Pabst Hard Coffee is creamy and rich, but you can dilute it with water or just use less milk to cut down on sweetness.
– Request less pump(s) of syrup – If ordering from a cafe, ask for less pumps of the syrup to reduce added sugar.
– Use sugar-free flavoring syrups – Monin, Torani, and others make sugar-free syrups in flavors like caramel, vanilla, and hazelnut. Add a splash to make your drink less sweet.
– Use stevia or monk fruit extract – These natural, zero-calorie sweeteners can provide sweetness without added sugar.
– Try sugar-free sweetened condensed milk – Mixing coffee with this instead of regular milk and sugar makes a naturally sweeter drink.
– Boost coffee flavor – Using high quality, strongly flavored coffee makes drinks taste sweeter with less sugar. Cold brew concentrate also provides robust flavor.
– Switch to black coffee – Going for straight black coffee eliminate the need for added sugar completely while still getting great flavor.
Health Impact of Drinking Pabst Hard Coffee
What are the health implications of drinking Pabst Hard Coffee on a regular basis? Here are some things to consider:
Sugar Content
The 8g of sugar per can is a significant source of added sugar with little nutritional benefit. Consuming this amount of sugar regularly can contribute to weight gain, diabetes risk, and other metabolic issues.
Alcohol Content
Each can of Pabst Hard Coffee contains 5% alcohol by volume. Drinking alcohol on a regular basis is associated with many health risks including liver disease, certain cancers, and mental health issues.
Calorie Content
At 228 calories per can, Pabst Hard Coffee packs a hefty calorie load. Frequent consumption can lead to weight gain if you exceed your daily calorie needs.
Lack of Nutrients
Aside from the milk, cream, and sugar, Pabst Hard Coffee provides little in the way of beneficial vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, or other nutrients. It is essentially empty calories and added sugar.
Caffeine Content
Caffeine in moderation can provide benefits like improved focus and alertness. But too much caffeine can cause anxiety, sleep issues, digestive upset, and high blood pressure.
Non-Alcoholic Alternatives
For those that want to avoid alcohol but like the taste of Pabst Hard Coffee, non-alcoholic beverages like iced coffees, cold brews, and blended coffee drinks offer a healthier and refreshing alternative without the high sugar content.
Conclusion
To summarize, Pabst Hard Coffee does contain a significant amount of added sugar at 8g per 11.5 oz can. This sugar content is lower compared to some super sweet coffee beverages, but still adds empty calories and should be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy diet. Enjoying Pabst Hard Coffee occasionally is unlikely to have major health impacts, but frequent consumption could lead to issues due to its sugar, alcohol, and calorie content. Moderating portion sizes, diluting drinks with water or milk, and alternating with sugar-free beverages are ways to enjoy the drink more healthfully.