Budweiser beer is one of the most popular beers in the United States. With its crisp, light taste, Budweiser has become a staple at parties, sports events, and backyard barbecues. But like any beer, Budweiser does contain calories and carbs that should be accounted for, especially for those watching their weight or managing health conditions like diabetes.
The Calorie Count
A 12 ounce serving of Budweiser contains the following nutritional information:
- Calories: 145
- Carbohydrates: 10.6 grams
- Protein: 1.3 grams
So a standard 12 ounce can or bottle of Budweiser has 145 calories. This calorie count remains the same regardless of whether you are drinking regular Budweiser or Budweiser Select.
How Budweiser Compares to Other Beers
With 145 calories in a 12 ounce serving, Budweiser is moderate in its calorie count compared to other popular domestic beers:
| Beer | Calories (12oz serving) |
|---|---|
| Budweiser | 145 |
| Bud Light | 110 |
| Coors Light | 102 |
| Miller Lite | 96 |
| Michelob Ultra | 95 |
As you can see, Budweiser has more calories per serving than lighter domestic beers like Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Lite, and Michelob Ultra. However, Budweiser still has significantly fewer calories than higher alcohol craft beers and imported beers, which can range from 150-300+ calories per 12 ounce serving.
Tips for Consuming Budweiser on a Diet
If you are watching your calorie intake or managing your weight, enjoying the occasional Budweiser in moderation can fit into your diet. Here are some tips:
- Stick to the standard 12oz serving size for a 145 calorie beer.
- Drink Budweiser Select (99 calories per 12oz) when available.
- Alternate between Budweiser and a light beer to reduce average calories.
- Drink Budweiser with a low-calorie mixer like seltzer or diet soda.
- Balance any beer drinking with exercise to burn extra calories.
- Drink water before and after consuming beer to stay properly hydrated.
With proper portion control and balance, an occasional Budweiser can be accommodated even in a reduced calorie diet.
Factors Affecting Budweiser’s Calorie Count
There are a few key factors that contribute to the calorie content in Budweiser beer:
- Alcohol Content – Budweiser contains 5.0% alcohol by volume. Alcohol provides 7 calories per gram, which accounts for a significant portion of the calories.
- Carbohydrates – Budweiser gets most of its calories from carbs. The majority of carb content comes from the malted barley used in the brewing process.
- Ingredients – Besides water, barley, and hops, Budweiser contains rice and corn as additional fermentable ingredients, contributing to carb and calorie totals.
- Serving Size – At 12 ounces, the standard Budweiser serving size is moderate, giving it a lower calorie count than beers with larger serving sizes.
So in summary, the main drivers of calories in Budweiser are its alcohol content, carb composition, serving size, and brewing ingredients.
Does Draft vs. Bottle vs. Can Change Budweiser’s Calorie Content?
The good news is that Budweiser contains the same number of calories regardless of how it is served:
- 12oz bottle of Budweiser = 145 calories
- 12oz can of Budweiser = 145 calories
- 12oz draft pour of Budweiser = 145 calories
So whether enjoying Budweiser from a bottle, can, or draught beer tower, you can expect the same calorie content. This assumes an equivalent 12 ounce portion is served. One caveat is that draft beer pours at bars sometimes exceed 12 ounces, which would increase the calorie count proportionally.
Ways Budweiser Can Fit Into a Balanced Diet
Here are some examples of how drinking a 12oz Budweiser can be balanced in a day’s diet:
| Meal | Food/Drink Consumed | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Oatmeal with berries, black coffee | 350 |
| Lunch | Turkey sandwich on wheat bread, apple | 450 |
| Dinner | Grilled salmon, quinoa pilaf, steamed broccoli | 550 |
| Snack | 12oz Budweiser | 145 |
| Total Calories | 1495 |
As shown in this balanced 2000 calorie diet, enjoying a Budweiser at 145 calories can be accommodated as a snack or light dinner pairing. Proper nutrition throughout the rest of the day helps compensate for the Budweiser calories.
Low Calorie Cocktail Recipes with Budweiser
To reduce the calorie count while still enjoying a Budweiser, consider making it into a lighter cocktail. Here are some low calorie Budweiser cocktail ideas:
Skinny Bee
- 12oz Budweiser (145 calories)
- 1.5oz vodka (105 calories)
- 1oz fresh lemon juice (4 calories)
- Several dashes diet ginger beer
- Lemon wedge garnish
Total Calories: ~250
Light Beer Margarita
- 12oz Budweiser (145 calories)
- 1.5oz tequila (105 calories)
- .5oz orange liqueur (65 calories)
- 1oz fresh lime juice (4 calories)
- Lime wedge garnish
Total Calories: ~320
Low Cal Sangria
- 12oz Budweiser (145 calories)
- 4oz white wine (120 calories)
- 1oz brandy (70 calories)
- 1oz orange juice (15 calories)
- 2oz diet lemon-lime soda (0 calories)
- Orange and lemon slices
Total Calories: ~350
By mixing Budweiser with low calorie ingredients like diet soda, fresh citrus, and avoiding added sugars, you can create flavorful cocktails under 350 calories. Balance your intake by sipping these slowly and having just one.
Nutritional Comparison to Other Popular Beers
Budweiser has a similar light beer nutrition profile to other major domestic lagers. Here’s how it compares:
| Beer (12oz serving) | Calories | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budweiser | 145 | 10.6 | 1.3 |
| Miller Lite | 96 | 3.2 | 0.9 |
| Coors Light | 102 | 5 | 0.9 |
| Corona Extra | 148 | 14 | 1.5 |
| Heineken | 142 | 11 | 1.1 |
Budweiser has 25-50 more calories than light beers like Miller Lite and Coors Light. It is comparable to import brews like Heineken and Corona. The calorie differences mainly come from slight variations in alcohol and carbohydrate content between the brands.
Tips for Enjoying Budweiser on a Low Calorie Diet
Here are some tips to enjoy Budweiser beer while still meeting your weight loss goals:
- Stick to 12oz servings and avoid oversized pints or heavy pours.
- Drink slowly and savor each beer. Don’t guzzle or gulp it down.
- Alternate with a non-alcoholic drink like water or seltzer to slow intake.
- Eat filling, low calorie foods before and while drinking to control hunger.
- Choose lower calorie Budweiser Select when it’s available.
- Balance excess calories through exercise or eating less earlier in the day.
- Limit yourself to 1-2 beers maximum per occasion.
Using these strategies, an occasional Budweiser can be worked into your healthy diet in moderation. Just be mindful of portion size, hydration, and your overall calorie goals.
How Budweiser Ranks Among Popular Beers
Here is how a 12oz Budweiser compares to other top selling domestic and imported beers in terms of calories:
- Bud Light (110 calories) – Lower calorie option
- Miller Lite (96 calories) – Lower calorie option
- Coors Light (102 calories) – Lower calorie option
- Michelob Ultra (95 calories) – Lower calorie option
- Budweiser (145 calories)
- Corona Extra (148 calories) – Slightly higher calories
- Heineken (142 calories) – Slightly lower calories
- Guinness (125 calories) – Slightly lower calories
- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (175 calories) – Higher calorie craft beer
Among major domestic lagers, Budweiser ranks in the middle calorie-wise – not as light as Bud Light but not as heavy as higher alcohol craft beers or stouts. Choosing it in moderation can fit into most diet plans.
Should You Drink Budweiser on a Low Carb or Keto Diet?
At 10.6 grams of carbs per 12oz serving, Budweiser is not an ideal beer choice for low carb or keto diets which limit daily carb intake to 20-50g. There are some better low carb beer options to consider:
| Beer | Carbs (12oz serving) |
|---|---|
| Michelob Ultra | 2.6g |
| Miller Lite | 3.2g |
| Bud Select | 3.1g |
| Corona Premier | 2.6g |
These low carb beers all contain 3g of carbs or less per 12oz, saving you 7-8g of carbs versus Budweiser. While an occasional Budweiser may fit into daily carb limits, sticking to ultra low carb beers is better for keto diets.
Does Budweiser Have Health Benefits?
Despite its calorie and carb content, Budweiser does contain some healthy antioxidants from the barley and hops used during brewing, including:
- Phenolic acids – reduce inflammation and improve heart health
- Silicon – promotes healthy skin, nails, and hair
- B vitamins – aid metabolism and energy levels
- Potassium – supports nerve signaling and heart function
However, the concentrations of these compounds are relatively low compared to wine, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other unprocessed food and drink.
The US Dietary Guidelines do not consider beer intake to have significant health benefits. Moderation is key – while an occasional Budweiser provides antioxidants, overdoing it can lead to negative health effects.
Conclusion
In summary, a standard 12 ounce serving of Budweiser contains 145 calories, 10.6 grams of carbs, and 5% alcohol. This calorie count is moderate compared to other major domestic lagers. While not the lowest calorie option, an occasional Budweiser can fit into a balanced, portion-controlled diet when consumed in moderation. Just be mindful of the carb content if following a strict low carb or keto diet. Sipping Budweiser slowly and alternating with low calorie mixers or non-alcoholic drinks can also help reduce calorie intake when enjoying this classic American lager.