Is Non-Alcoholic Beer Healthy? Calories, Sugar and Alcohol
Marc Bennett
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Reviewer
Is non-alcoholic beer healthy? It depends on what you compare it to and on the beer you pick. Compared with a regular beer, a non-alcoholic beer usually has far less alcohol and fewer calories. Compared with water, it is still a drink with carbs, and sometimes sugar. Below, we break it down with the nutrition labels of the 160+ non-alcoholic beers we carry, so you can choose with real numbers.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have a health condition, are pregnant or take medication, talk to your doctor.
At a Glance: Regular Beer vs Non-Alcoholic Beer
| Per 355 mL can | Regular beer | Non-alcoholic beer |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | About 5% | 0.5% or less (under 0.05% for 0.0) |
| Calories | About 150 | Most between 45 and 75 (typical: about 60) |
| Carbohydrates | About 13 g | Most between 8 and 16 g |
| Sugar | Close to 0 g | Most between 0 and 7 g (typical: about 3 g) |
Regular beer: USDA FoodData Central. Non-alcoholic beer: nutrition labels of the beers sold at Upside Drinks, converted to a 355 mL can. Values vary by brand.
Calories in Non-Alcoholic Beer
Most of the calories in a regular beer come from the alcohol itself, which is why removing it makes such a difference. A typical regular beer has about 150 calories per can. In our catalogue, most non-alcoholic beers land between 45 and 75 calories per 355 mL, and the lightest ones are around 10 to 30.
Styles matter: light lagers and pilsners sit at the bottom, while hazy IPAs, stouts and fruited sours sit at the top because they keep more malt or add fruit.
Sugar and Carbs: Read the Label
This is where non-alcoholic beer surprises people. When there is less fermentation, some of the malt sugars can stay in the beer, so a few non-alcoholic beers are sweeter than their regular version. Many brewers have solved this: 59 of the 161 beers we checked list 0 g of sugar on their label, and more than half have 1 g or less per 100 mL.
At the other end, fruited sours and some juicy IPAs can reach 15 to 28 g of sugar per can. If sugar is what you watch, check the nutrition facts on the product page, or start with the picks below.
Alcohol Content: 0.5% vs 0.0%
In Canada, a beer sold as non-alcoholic can contain up to 0.5% alcohol. That is roughly a tenth of the alcohol in a regular beer.
Beers labelled 0.0% go further and typically contain less than 0.05% alcohol. If you want to avoid alcohol completely, look for 0.0% on the label: Michelob Ultra Zero, Peroni 0.0%, Corona Cero and Budweiser Zero are a few examples.
After Sport and Hydration
Non-alcoholic beer is mostly water, with some carbs and, depending on the brand, a little sodium or potassium. Some brewers also add vitamins: Tuesday Brewing adds vitamins C and D, and Corona Cero adds vitamin D, according to the brewers.
That is why some people like one after a run or a game, in place of a regular beer. It is not a sports drink and it does not replace water, but you are not adding alcohol on top of the effort.
Pregnancy, Medication and Recovery
Every situation is different, so this one is simple: talk to your doctor or pharmacist first. If you want to avoid alcohol entirely, choose a beer labelled 0.0%, since 0.5% beers still contain a small amount of alcohol.
For people in recovery, the taste and the ritual of a beer can be a trigger for some and a helpful swap for others. Only you, and the people who support you, can tell which one it is.
Lower-Sugar Picks
All five of these list 0 g of sugar on their label and are in stock at Upside Drinks.
1. Partake Lime Goserita
Price: $16.99 / 6 (355 mL) / Buy Now
A margarita-inspired gose from Canadian brewer Partake, made with lime juice, a touch of agave and sea salt. Tart, light and refreshing.
Things We Like
- 30 calories: per can.
- 0 g sugar
- Made in Canada
2. Michelob Ultra Zero 0.0
Price: $18.99 / 6 (355 mL) / Buy Now
A light lager with a hint of citrus and a crisp, clean finish. One of the few on this list that is fully 0.0%.
Things We Like
- 0.0% alcohol
- 30 calories: per can.
- 0 g sugar
3. Lake of Bays Near Zero Pale Ale
Price: $13.95 / 4 (473 mL) / Buy Now
An Ontario pale ale with notes of lemon, grapefruit and bread crust, in tall 473 mL cans. The lightest beer on this list per 100 mL.
Things We Like
- 25 calories: per tall can.
- 0 g sugar and 0 g carbs: according to the label.
- Made in Canada
4. Nonny Czech Pilsner
Price: $15.95 / 4 (355 mL) / Buy Now
A Czech-style pilsner brewed with Saaz hops: light, crisp and gently bitter.
Things We Like
- 40 calories: per can.
- 0 g sugar
- Made in Canada
5. Tuesday Brewing Knollypop Modern Lager
Price: $11.99 / 4 (355 mL) / Buy Now
A bright, crisp lager with mandarin and tangerine notes from Mandarina Bavaria hops, with added vitamins C and D according to the brewer.
Things We Like
- 50 calories: per can.
- 0 g sugar
- Made in Canada
Shop Non-Alcoholic Beer at Upside Drinks
Every beer above is in stock and ships across Canada. Browse our full non-alcoholic beer collection, or see our guides to the best non-alcoholic beers and the best non-alcoholic lagers.
FAQ: Is Non-Alcoholic Beer Healthy?
Is non-alcoholic beer better for you than regular beer?
It has far less alcohol and usually fewer calories: most non-alcoholic beers we carry have 45 to 75 calories per can, compared with about 150 for a regular beer. Some have more sugar, so check the label.
Does non-alcoholic beer have sugar?
Some do, some do not. Of the 161 beers we checked, 59 list 0 g of sugar, while fruited sours can reach 15 to 28 g per can.
How much alcohol is in non-alcoholic beer?
In Canada, up to 0.5%. Beers labelled 0.0% typically contain less than 0.05%.
Can I drink non-alcoholic beer while pregnant?
Talk to your doctor first. If you want to avoid alcohol entirely, choose a beer labelled 0.0%.
What is the lowest-calorie non-alcoholic beer?
On our shelves, Lake of Bays Near Zero (about 5 calories per 100 mL), Athletic Lite, Partake and Michelob Ultra Zero are among the lightest.
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