Golden Monkey is a Belgian-style tripel ale brewed by Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. It has a sweet, fruity flavor with hints of banana and bubblegum, and a smooth, warming alcohol finish.
Golden Monkey is a strong beer, with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 9.5%. It’s also relatively high in carbs compared to other beer styles, due to the large amount of malted barley used in the brewing process.
For health-conscious beer drinkers monitoring their carb and calorie intake, the number of carbs in Golden Monkey is an important consideration. In this article, we’ll provide a detailed breakdown of the carb content in Golden Monkey Beer.
Nutrition Facts for Golden Monkey Beer
Here are the basic nutrition facts for 12 oz of Golden Monkey Beer (355ml):
| Calories | 267 |
| Carbohydrates | 16.4 g |
| Protein | 2.5 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
As you can see, there are 16.4 grams of carbohydrates in a 12 oz serving of Golden Monkey Beer.
To put this carb count into perspective, here’s how it compares to other popular beer styles:
– Regular lager beer: Around 10-15g carbs per 12oz
– Light beer: Around 5-10g carbs per 12oz
– IPA beer: Around 15-20g carbs per 12oz
– Stout beer: Around 15-20g carbs per 12oz
So at 16.4g carbs, Golden Monkey is at the higher end for carb content compared to most regular full-strength beers. The main reason is because of the large amount of malted barley used in brewing Belgian-style ales.
Factors Affecting Carb Content
There are a few factors that affect the carbohydrate content in beer:
Grain bill
The types and ratios of grains used to make the beer mash will impact the carb content. Beers made with a higher percentage of barley malt will be higher in carbs than beers made primarily from wheat or rye. Golden Monkey is made entirely from malted barley.
Adjuncts
Some beers use added sugars and starchy adjuncts like rice and corn which can increase the carbohydrate content. Golden Monkey does not contain any added adjuncts.
Strength of beer
Stronger beers with higher alcohol content tend to have more residual carbohydrates leftover after fermentation. Golden Monkey has a relatively high 9.5% ABV.
Brewing process
The brewing methods and yeast strain used affects how many carbs get fermented out. Belgian-style beers are brewed to retain more body and sweetness.
Serving size
The carb content listed on labels is usually based on 12oz serving sizes. Consuming less or more than that amount will change the carb quantity.
So in summary, Golden Monkey gets a high carb count from its all-barley malt bill, high alcohol content, and Belgian brewing methods designed to create a sweeter, fuller-bodied ale.
Carb Content in Different Golden Monkey Beer Servings
Now that we know a 12oz serving of Golden Monkey contains 16.4g carbs, we can calculate the carb content for other serving sizes:
| 5oz glass | 6.8g carbs |
| 8oz glass | 10.9g carbs |
| 12oz glass | 16.4g carbs (standard serving) |
| 16oz pint | 21.9g carbs |
| 22oz bomber | 30.5g carbs |
| 25.4oz (750ml) bottle | 35.2g carbs |
As expected, the carb quantity increases linearly with larger serving sizes. Drinking a pint of Golden Monkey would add about 5 more grams of carbs versus a standard 12oz glass.
Tips for Reducing Carbs in Golden Monkey Beer
If you want to reduce the carb intake from Golden Monkey while still enjoying its flavor, here are a few tips:
– Request a 5-8oz glass instead of a full pint. You can sip and savor the flavor without consuming as many carbs.
– Split your pint with a friend. Share the beer in two glasses to halve the carbs.
– Alternate with a low-carb beer like a Michelob Ultra between Golden Monkey drinks.
– Add a splash of seltzer water to dilute the beer slightly and lower the carbs per glass.
– Pair your Golden Monkey with a low-carb snack like peanuts to help balance out the carb load.
– Only drink one or two glasses maximum per sitting, instead of having multiple pints.
Comparison to Other Beers
Golden Monkey is on the higher end of the spectrum for carb content compared to other beer styles:
| Beer Style | Carbs per 12oz |
| Light Lager | 5-10g |
| Amber Lager | 10-15g |
| Pale Ale | 10-15g |
| IPA | 15-20g |
| Stout | 15-20g |
| Belgian Ale | 15-20g |
| Golden Monkey | 16.4g |
Here are some specific examples compared to popular beers:
– Bud Light: 6.6g carbs
– Guinness: 10g carbs
– Sierra Nevada Pale Ale: 14g carbs
– Lagunitas IPA: 17g carbs
– Chimay: 17g carbs
– **Golden Monkey: 16.4g carbs**
So while Golden Monkey is not the highest in carbs, it has significantly more than light lagers, and about the same or slightly less than the average IPA or stout. It’s a moderate-high carb beer, on par with most Belgian-style ales.
Ways to Fit Golden Monkey into a Low-Carb Diet
With some planning and moderation, Golden Monkey can be enjoyed occasionally even when following a low-carb diet:
– Budget for the carbs in Golden Monkey by reducing other carb sources that day.
– Stick to just one glass rather than having multiple pints.
– Pair with low-carb foods to help balance out the meal. For example, have it with a grilled chicken salad.
– Drink it only on special occasions, not daily.
– Have it at the beginning of your meal so the carbs are used up earlier.
– Follow up with exercise after drinking to help metabolize the carbs.
– Substitute every second or third beer with a Michelob Ultra or other low-carb option.
The key is being aware of the carb content and making adjustments to accommodate it. Used responsibly, Golden Monkey can be an occasional treat within the context of an overall low-carb eating plan.
Does Golden Monkey Have More Carbs Than Other Beers?
In summary, Golden Monkey does contain more carbs than light lagers and about the same or slightly less than IPAs and stouts. Here is a recap:
– Golden Monkey contains 16.4g carbs per 12oz serving
– It has moderately high carbs compared to most beer styles
– Light lagers have 5-10g carbs which is much less
– IPAs and stouts average around 15-20g carbs
– Belgian-style ales also tend to be higher in carbs
So while it’s not the absolute highest in carbs, Golden Monkey is on the upper end of the scale compared to beers like Bud Light. The Belgian ale style and high alcohol content contribute to its raised carb level.
However, the carbs are not drastically more than a typical IPA or stout. So drinkers of those styles may not notice a big difference switching to Golden Monkey occasionally.
As with any beer, moderation is key. Being aware of its carb content allows you to adjust the rest of your diet and make informed decisions.
Tips for Enjoying Golden Monkey While Watching Carbs
Here are some final tips for enjoying Golden Monkey Beer while managing your carb intake:
– Opt for the 5-8oz glass option when available
– Share a pint with a friend instead of having a full glass yourself
– Alternate between Golden Monkey and a low carb beer like Michelob Ultra
– Dilute with seltzer water to cut down the carbs
– Only have one or two glasses per sitting maximum
– Pair with low-carb foods like meat and vegetables to balance it out
– Adjust other meals that day to budget for the carbs
– Follow up with exercise after drinking to metabolize the carbs
As a high-quality, flavorful Belgian ale, Golden Monkey is a great beer to occasionally enjoy and savor. With proper portion sizes and context in your diet, you can drink responsibly and account for the carbs. It just takes a bit of planning and willpower.
The Bottom Line
Golden Monkey Belgian Ale has a robust, fruity flavor that’s enjoyable to drink. However, with 16.4g of carbs per 12oz serving, it’s also relatively high on the spectrum for carb content compared to other beers. While not the absolute highest in carbs, Golden Monkey has more than light lagers, and about as much as an average IPA or stout.
If monitoring carbs strictly, Golden Monkey should be an occasional treat drank in moderation. But paired responsibly with low-carb foods and smart portion sizes, it can absolutely be worked into an overall low-carb lifestyle. As with any beer, being aware of the carb count and your personal limits is the key to drinking responsibly.
