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Calories in Beer

Q: How many calories in beer?

Regular beer has 43 calories per 100ml. A bottle (330ml): 142 kcal. A pint (568ml): 244 kcal. A large can (440ml): 189 kcal.

Updated July 2026 · Source: USDA FoodData Central

kcal

per 100ml

0.46

Protein

0.0

Fat

3.55

Carbs

0.0

Sugar

142

kcal per bottle (330ml)

244

kcal per pint (568ml)

kcal per 100ml

🍺142 kcal per bottle, 244 per pint

⚠️7 kcal per gram of alcohol — halts fat burning

💊B vitamins from yeast — folate, B6, B12

🦴Silicon — associated with bone density

⚠️Even moderate drinking increases cancer risk

😌Light beer — ~30 kcal/100ml

☕ Calculate Calories in Any Amount of Beer

Volume250ml

Nutrition Facts

Per 100ml beer

* % Daily Value based on a 2,000 kcal diet.

Quick summary: Regular beer contains 43 calories per 100ml — 142 kcal per bottle (330ml), 244 kcal per pint. About 5% alcohol. Contains B vitamins (particularly folate and B6 from yeast) and silicon (bone health). However, alcohol itself is 7 kcal/gram and associated with significant health risks at regular consumption. Light beer: ~30 kcal/100ml.

Nutritional Content — per 100ml

Component	Amount	% Daily Value
Alcohol	5% ABV	—
Folate	21µg	5%
Vitamin B6	0.05mg	3%
Riboflavin	0.04mg	3%
Niacin	0.51mg	3%
Potassium	27mg	1%
Magnesium	6mg	1%
Sodium	4mg	0%
Phosphorus	14mg	1%
Calcium	4mg	0%

Calories in Beer by Volume

Volume	Calories	Sugar	Carbs

Calorie Breakdown — per 100ml

Carbohydrates3.55g · 33% of calories

Protein0.46g · 4% of calories

Fat0.0g · 0% of calories

Calories from alcohol (7 kcal/g) + carbs. Regular beer: ~5% ABV, 43 kcal/100ml. Light beer: 3.5% ABV, ~30 kcal/100ml. Strong beer: 8-10% ABV, 65-75 kcal/100ml. Stout: ~45 kcal/100ml. The body prioritises alcohol metabolism, temporarily pausing fat burning.

Key Compounds

⚠️

Alcohol

5% ABV

7 kcal/g

Pauses fat burning, liver metabolism priority

💊

Folate (B9)

21µg

5% DV

From yeast — moderate contribution

🦴

Silicon

~6mg

Mineral

Associated with bone density

⚡

Potassium

27mg

1% DV

Minimal

💊

Vitamin B6

0.05mg

3% DV

From yeast fermentation

🧠

Riboflavin

0.04mg

3% DV

Energy metabolism

Beer Nutrition Facts

Alcohol Metabolism — Pauses Fat Burning

Alcohol is metabolised by the liver as a priority before fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. The body treats alcohol as a mild toxin and dedicates its metabolic resources to clearing it first. During alcohol metabolism, fat oxidation is essentially paused. This means that food consumed alongside alcohol is more likely to be stored as fat than it would be in the absence of alcohol. This mechanism — independent of alcohol calories — contributes to weight gain beyond what calorie math predicts.

B Vitamins from Yeast

Beer contains meaningful B vitamins derived from the brewing yeast — particularly folate (5% DV per 100ml), B6, riboflavin, and niacin. These contributions are not trivial in cultures where beer is consumed regularly. Some research suggests moderate beer consumption marginally improves B vitamin status compared to spirits or wine. However, alcohol also depletes B vitamins (particularly B1/thiamine) through impaired absorption and increased urinary excretion.

Silicon and Bone Density

Beer is one of the richest dietary sources of orthosilicic acid — a highly bioavailable form of silicon. Silicon is associated with bone formation and connective tissue health. A 2009 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study found moderate beer consumption (0-1 drink/day) was positively associated with total bone density in women. Ales and IPAs have more silicon than lagers due to malted barley content.

Cancer Risk — No Safe Level

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen — the highest risk category. Alcohol consumption increases risk of mouth, throat, oesophagus, liver, colon, and breast cancer. Importantly, cancer risk increases linearly from zero consumption — there is no 'safe' threshold. Each drink per day above zero is associated with incrementally higher cancer risk. This fundamentally limits any positive framing of alcohol for health.

Beer vs Other Drinks

Is Beer Suitable for Your Diet?

❌

Weight loss

No — pauses fat burning

❌

Keto

No — 3.55g carbs/100ml

✅

Paleo

Debated

✅

Gluten-free

No — contains gluten (barley)

❌

Diabetic

No — raises blood sugar, impairs metabolism

✅

Vegan

Most beers yes (check isinglass fining)

✅

Vegetarian

Most beers yes

❌

Pregnancy

No — no safe level of alcohol

Related Calculators

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories in beer?

Regular beer has 43 calories per 100ml. A bottle (330ml): 142 kcal. A pint (568ml): 244 kcal. A large can (440ml): 189 kcal.

What's the lowest calorie beer?

Light/low-alcohol beers: 30-35 kcal/100ml. Non-alcoholic beer (0.5% ABV): 15-25 kcal/100ml. Regular lager: 43 kcal/100ml. Strong ales/stouts: 45-75 kcal/100ml.

Is beer fattening?

Beer calories contribute to weight gain like any calories, but alcohol also specifically inhibits fat oxidation — the body metabolises alcohol first (as a mild toxin), pausing fat burning. Regular beer consumption is associated with abdominal fat accumulation ('beer belly').

Is beer bad for you?

The evidence is nuanced. Moderate consumption (1-2 drinks/day) shows J-shaped curve effects — some benefits for cardiovascular risk. However, the WHO and IARC classify alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen with no completely safe level. Cancer risk increases linearly with consumption from any amount.

Beer vs wine calories?

Beer: 43 kcal/100ml. White wine: 82 kcal/100ml. Red wine: 85 kcal/100ml. Beer has fewer calories per 100ml but is typically consumed in larger volumes.

What is a unit of alcohol?

One UK unit = 10ml of pure alcohol. A standard 4% pint = 2.3 units. UK guidelines: no more than 14 units/week for men and women.

Sources

Nutrition values from USDA FoodData Central. Not medical advice.