How many calories are there in beer?

Being aware of the calories in beer is going to make your life easier when it comes to night outs, after-work drinks with colleagues and cheat days or meals that involve beer. However, before understanding the calories in beer, let’s understand the origin of beer.

Beer is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages in human history. It's assumed that some of the first beers were brewed approximately 10,000 years ago in Fertile Crescent, an area that includes modern day Iraq, Iran and Syria.

The earliest known evidence of beer production comes from ancient Sumeria. That'si where beer is brewed from barley and other grains. Sumerians are believed to have been the first people to intentionally brew beer, and it played an important part in their daily life and religious rituals.

Over time, beer spread to other parts of the world, including ancient Egypt, where it was brewed by both the common people and the Pharaohs. Additionally, beer also played an important role in ancient Greek and Roman culture, where it was often consumed in large quantities at social gatherings and festivals.

Now, beer is consumed by a large portion of the population with various brands brewing their own beers across countries. It remains one of the most popular alcoholic beverages.

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Calories in beer

Beers (Photo via Unsplash/Jon Parry)

The number of calories in beer can vary widely depending on factors like the type of beer, its alcohol content and the serving size.

On average, a standard 12-ounce serving of regular beer contains approximately 150 calories. However, some light beers contain as few as 55 calories per serving, while high-alcohol beers can contain upwards of 300 calories per serving or more.

It's important to note that drinking too much beer, regardless of its calorie content, can lead to weight gain and other health problems. If you're trying to manage your calorie intake, it's generally best to drink beer in moderation and choose lower-calorie options when possible.

Calories in a pint of guinness

A pint of Guinness, which is 20 fluid ounces or 568 milliliters, contains approximately 210-250 calories, depending on the specific type and serving size. However, it's worth noting that Guinness is often served on tap, and the calorie count can vary depending on the specific establishment's pour and temperature of the beer.

While on the topic of calories in beer, it’s interesting to note that low-calorie beers are as popular as standard beers. If you wish to consume beer but keep the calories to a minimum, you should know more about low-calorie beers.

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Low-calorie beers

Beers (Photo via Unsplash/JuniperPhoton)

Here are some popular low-calorie beer options that include:

• Michelob Ultra: This beer contains just 95 calories per 12-ounce serving.
• Corona Premier: This light beer from Corona has just 90 calories per serving.
• Budweiser Select 55: This low-calorie beer from Budweiser contains just 55 calories per 12-ounce serving.
• Heineken Light: This light beer from Heineken has just 99 calories per serving.
• Amstel Light: This light beer from Amstel contains just 95 calories per 12-ounce serving.

It's important to note that while low calorie beers can help manage your calorie intake, they still contain alcohol, which can have negative health effects if consumed in excess.

As always, it's important to drink in moderation and speak with your doctor if you have any concerns about your alcohol consumption. Furthermore, it’s important to remember that all the calories in beer are empty calories, that is, they have no nutritional value in any shape or form.

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It goes without saying that calories in beers shouldn’t put a dampener on your plans for consuming beers.

Everything, even alcohol, when consumed in moderation can fit in well with your overall lifestyle and diet. You do not necessarily need to have a diet that restricts you completely from alcohol. Give yourself space to move away from your diet and have cheat days and cheat meals.