With the recent announcement from the regulating authorities that brewers may, if they wish, provide calorie information, how will that affect craft breweries when consumers see the calorie count?
These figures are calculated by Beersmith, and are subject to natural variations in ingredients, but let’s take a look at a standard 12 oz serving, shall we?
| Beer style | Ave. calories in 12 oz |
|---|---|
| American macro lager | 145 |
| Belgian Pale Ale | 175 |
| Belgian Triple | 329 |
| Czech Pilsner | 170 |
| Dry Irish Stout | 155 |
| English Cask Bitter | 118 |
| English Pale Ale | 160 |
| Light American macro lager | 100 |
| Scottish 70 Shilling | 120 |
| Sweet Stout | 194 |
All the traditional recipes listed above are what we would consider “craft beer” – their ingredients are water, malted barley, hops, yeast, and occasional adjuncts like wheat. They demonstrate a wide variety of flavors and food sympathies. And some of them are almost as low in calories as the mass brand “light” beers marketed as “American beer”.
The simple equation most commonly used is “more alcohol = more calories”. But reducing the number of calories imbibed does not mean having to accept a watered down version of an already bland and flavourless breed of beer-flavoured beverage – just choose your drink wisely, and have only one or two. Moderation means a cheaper night out as well as being better for you.
Enjoy your drinks responsibly, and choose craft. Local craft, of course!
Some examples:
- Brew Stooge’s Mo Better Bitter at 3.6%
- Fairhope Brewing’s Everyday Ale at 3.8%
- Good People’s Bearded Lady at 4.5%