Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout that is enjoyed around the world. With its characteristic dark color and creamy foam head, Guinness has a distinctive flavor profile. Many beer drinkers choose Guinness because they believe it is a lower carbohydrate option compared to other beers. But is Guinness truly a low carb beer?
The Carb Content of Guinness
To determine if Guinness is low carb, we need to look at its nutritional information. According to the Guinness website, a 12 oz serving of Guinness Draught has:
- 124 calories
- 10 g carbs
- 0 g fat
- 10 g protein
So in a 12 oz serving of Guinness Draught there are 10 grams of carbohydrates. How does this compare to other beers?
Most regular lagers and ales have around 13-15 grams of carbs per 12 oz serving. By comparison, Guinness is moderately lower in carbs compared to these styles. However, it’s not dramatically different. Additionally, there are many light beers that are even lower in carbs with around 5 grams per serving.
It’s also important to note that the standard Guinness Draught is not the lowest carb option available from the brewer. Guinness offers an “Extra Stout” version that contains slightly fewer carbs at 9 grams per 12 oz serving. The company also released Guinness Pure Brew in 2021, which is an ultra low carb lager that contains just 3.5 grams of carbs and 84 calories per 12 oz serving.
Why Does Guinness Have Fewer Carbs?
Guinness has a lower carb content than many other beers due to its unique brewing process. Here are some of the factors that contribute to Guinness being moderately low in carbs:
- Use of roasted barley – Guinness is made using a portion of roasted unmalted barley, which gives it a dark color and tart, coffee-like flavor. Since the barley has not been malted, it contains fewer fermentable sugars that can be converted to alcohol and residual carbs.
- Long brewing time – A batch of Guinness takes significantly longer to brew compared to typical beer styles. The extra brewing time allows for more sugars to be converted to alcohol, leaving fewer residual carbs in the finished beer.
- Extra fermentation time – After initial brewing, Guinness undergoes a secondary fermentation process that lasts two additional weeks. This extra fermentation allows the brewer’s yeast to further attenuate the beer, reducing carb and calorie content.
- Use of nitrogen gas – Nitrogen is used when pouring and dispensing Guinness instead of carbon dioxide. Nitrogen produces smaller, tighter bubbles that give Guinness a creamy texture. The nitrogen also displaces oxygen, allowing less oxidation of alcohol into residual carbs.
So in summary, the unique ingredients and elaborate production process help contribute to Guinness having a moderately low carb content compared to many other beer styles.
Does Guinness Have Any Special Nutrition Benefits?
Aside from its lower carb content, Guinness does not offer any special nutritional benefits. Here are some facts to note:
- It is lower in carbs than some beers, but not dramatically.
- There are light lagers even lower in calories and carbs.
- Guinness gets its deep dark color from roasted barley, but this does not provide significant antioxidants.
- The alcohol content is average at 4.2% alcohol by volume.
- It contains B vitamins from the brewer’s yeast, but only in small quantities.
- Post-fermentation processing removes most of the live yeast and bacteria, so there are no probiotic benefits.
So while Guinness is moderate in carbs and calories for a beer, it does not contain any added nutritional value. There are no specific benefits related to weight loss, heart health, or digestion from its nutrient profile.
Tips for Drinking Guinness on a Low Carb Diet
Here are some tips if you want to drink Guinness but still aim to keep carb intake low:
- Stick to 12 oz servings or less.
- Alternate with non-carb mixers like diet soda or sparkling water.
- Avoid pairing with carb-heavy sides like french fries or chips.
- Switch to the Guinness Extra Stout for slightly fewer carbs.
- Opt for the new Guinness Pure Brew lager for ultra low carbs.
- Account for the carbs in your daily tally and balance accordingly.
- Drink reasonably – excessive intake will counter potential benefits.
Moderation and tracking are key if you want to integrate Guinness into a low carb eating plan. With smart habits, it can be enjoyed sensibly as part of your dietary strategy.
The Carb Count in Other Types of Guinness
In addition to the standard Guinness Draught and Extra Stout, the brewer produces several other varieties that have different carb counts:
| Beer | Carbs (g) |
|---|---|
| Guinness Draught (12 oz) | 10 |
| Guinness Extra Stout (12 oz) | 9 |
| Guinness Pure Brew (12 oz) | 3.5 |
| Guinness Blonde (12 oz) | 12 |
| Guinness Nitro IPA (12 oz) | 15 |
| Guinness Over The Moon Milk Stout (11.2 oz) | 19 |
As you can see, carb counts can vary significantly across the Guinness family of beers. If limiting carbs is a priority, the Pure Brew variety is the best option clocking in at just 3.5 grams per serving.
How Guinness Compares to Other Low Carb Beer Options
While standard Guinness is moderately low carb compared to many beers, how does it stack up against some of the most popular low carb beer brands?
Here is a comparison of Guinness to 5 of the top low carb beers on the market:
| Beer | Carbs |
|---|---|
| Michelob Ultra | 2.6 g |
| Miller Lite | 3.2 g |
| Bud Select | 3.1 g |
| Guinness Draught | 10 g |
| Guinness Pure Brew | 3.5 g |
| Coors Light | 5 g |
Compared to popular low carb beers, the standard Guinness Draught is significantly higher in carbs. However, the Guinness Pure Brew was specifically formulated to compete with ultralight beers and has an exceptionally low carb count as a result.
Low Carb Beer Comparison Chart
To summarize the most popular low carb beer options, here is a comparison chart:
| Beer | Carbs (g) | Calories | ABV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michelob Ultra | 2.6 | 95 | 4.2% |
| Miller Lite | 3.2 | 96 | 4.2% |
| Bud Select | 3.1 | 99 | 4.3% |
| Guinness Pure Brew | 3.5 | 84 | 4% |
| Coors Light | 5 | 102 | 4.2% |
| Guinness Draught | 10 | 126 | 4.2% |
As the data shows, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, and Bud Select are the leading low carb beers. Guinness Pure Brew was formulated by the brewer to compete with those ultralight lagers. Meanwhile, standard Guinness Draught is moderate in carbs and calories compared to regular beers but does not qualify as a true low carb beer given its carb count.
The Best Low Carb Beer Options
Based on the nutritional data, here are the best beers to choose if limiting carb intake:
- Michelob Ultra – With just 2.6 grams of carbs, Michelob Ultra is hands down the leading low carb beer choice.
- Miller Lite – Miller Lite has a few more carbs at 3.2 grams, but is still an excellent low carb option.
- Bud Select – Coming in at 3.1 grams of carbs, Bud Select rounds out the top low carb offerings.
- Guinness Pure Brew – The new kid on the block, Guinness Pure Brew was designed for low carb drinkers with just 3.5 grams of carbs.
For the lowest carb and calorie counts, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, Bud Select, and Guinness Pure Brew are the top choices. Standard Guinness Draught can also be an option for moderate carb intake if consumed sensibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Guinness keto friendly?
Guinness is somewhat keto friendly depending on your specific macros. With 10 grams of carbs per serving, a 12 oz Guinness Draught represents 40% of the daily 25 gram net carb target on keto. While doable in moderation, it must be accounted for. Going with a Michelob Ultra (2.6 g carbs) or Guinness Pure Brew (3.5 g carbs) would be more keto-appropriate options.
Is Guinness gluten free?
No, traditional Guinness contains gluten from barley used in the brewing process. However, the company does produce a gluten-free Guinness Draught that uses sorghum, rice and maize to replace barley malt. This provides a gluten-free alternative.
Why is Guinness so low in carbs?
Guinness is lower in carbs than many beers due to using unmalted roasted barley, a longer brewing process, extra fermentation time, and nitrogen dispensing. These provide fewer fermentable sugars and allow more to attenuate into alcohol, reducing leftover carbs.
Is Guinness healthier than other beers?
Not necessarily. While it is moderately lower in carbs and calories than many beers, Guinness does not contain any added nutritional benefits. There are other regular light beers even lower in calories and carbs than Guinness.
Is Guinness good for weight loss?
While Guinness is lower in carbs and calories than many beers, there is nothing uniquely weight loss inducing about it. Any effect Guinness has on weight would be related to calorie deficit, where moderation is key. Other low calorie beers or hard seltzers would offer similar benefits.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to carbs, Guinness lands somewhere in the middle – not quite a true low carb beer, but lower in carbs than many regular beers on the market. The standard Guinness Draught clocks in at 10 grams of carbs per 12 oz serving. By comparison, the lowest carb beers range from 2.5-5 grams per serving.
If limiting carb intake is your priority, options like Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, or the new Guinness Pure Brew will be better choices. However, standard Guinness can still fit into a moderate low carb diet when consumed sensibly and accounted for. At the end of the day, Guinness provides a tasty beer option that can be incorporated into a low carb lifestyle in moderation.
