Trim on Tap

By Loren Chidoni

The best way to catch a buzz without the belly

You shouldn't have to give up a cold beer on a hot day for anything but AA, but regular lagers can inflate a beer gut fast. "Swap one 150-calorie beer a day for one 100-calorie brew, and you could lose up to five pounds in one year," says Diane Quagliani, R.D., a nutrition consultant in Western Springs, Illinois. Ever since big breweries realized that most Americans prefer a pilsner-glass-shaped figure over a keg-shaped one, they've flooded the market with low-cal, low-carb concoctions. The hard-working editors of WH tested the most widely available options. Here's what we (hic) found.

 

AMSTEL LIGHT 95 cals/5 g carbs

BEST PART This Amsterdam native has won American hearts--it's one of the top imported beers in the U.S.

TESTER SAYS "Thicker, smoother, and not as wimpy as most light beers, but a little tangy."

VERDICT Our go-to -option at upscale bars.

 

BECK'S PREMIER LIGHT 64 cals/3.9 g carbs

BEST PART This German ale has the fewest calories of any we tested.

TESTERS SAY Mixed reviews, from "One of the tastier of the bunch" to "It tastes like it came straight out of a fraternity keg."

VERDICT Have an Amstel Light and burn off the extra calories dancing.

 

BUDWEISER SELECT 99 cals/3.1 g carbs

BEST PART It has half the carbs of party favorite Bud Light.

TESTER SAYS "Well--balanced flavor, but a little watered down."

VERDICT If you're already a Bud girl, you'll enjoy this lighter version.

 

COORS LIGHT 102 cals/5 g carbs

BEST PART Because Coors Brewing Company sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, some of the freshest waters are used in its brews.

TESTER SAYS "Tastes like flat Bud Light."

VERDICT It isn't worth a swig. There are better beers that are lower in calories and carbs.

 

CORONA LIGHT 99 cals/5 g carbs

BEST PART Often served with a lime wedge, this Mexico-brewed cerveza is light and golden, like a morning in Tulum.

TESTER SAYS "Not bad for a light beer, but very carbonated, with a persistent aftertaste."

VERDICT Gets better after the third round.

 

HEINEKEN PREMIUM LIGHT 99 cals/6.8 g carbs

BEST PART The clear label is pretty slick.

TESTERS SAY Mixed reviews, from "Tastes like watered-down ginger ale" to "This is my favorite brew so far."

VERDICT For us, the bottle stood out more than the flavor.

 

MICHELOB ULTRA 95 cals/2.6 g carbs

BEST PART If you're a carb-counter, this beer ranks lowest per serving of any we tried.

TESTER SAYS "It has a weird lemon quality and sticks to the tongue."

VERDICT Acceptable when you're already three sheets to the wind.