These days, nutrition, especially carb content, comes before anything else in choosing a meal. That is why we have come up with the best low-carb IPAs list to help you avoid the potbelly as you indulge. Working on making other beers low-calorie is not as tasking as making a light IPA.
You need experience and craft to make a light and refreshing India Pale Ale. Similarly, getting a low-carb Porter is a huge challenge because of the preparation process.
In this article, we will go through the best-tasting low-calorie IPAs. The best Low-Calorie IPAs list in 2023 has been developed with our expert tasters at Hopsters Brewing Company and compared with other experts. We will thus classify the IPAs on their calorie output and their ability to satisfy and freshen you.
The typical pale ale such as Firestone Walker Mind Haze or Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing gives you approximately 200 calories. With a high alcohol content of six to seven percent by volume, it is hard to keep the calories down. Thus, getting a low-calorie IPA is necessary to keep your weight grounded similar to light beers like Bud Light which gives your 110 calories.
Let’s dive into the best low-carb India Pale Ales focusing on both commercial beer and craft beer to ensure as you visit any state, you know the best beer to enjoy.
Which is the best low-carb IPA?
The best low-carb IPAs are Victory Easy Ringer, Summit Triumphant, and Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty whose carbohydrate content is 3 grams, 3.5 grams, and 3.6 grams respectively. The low-calorie IPA has an alcohol content of 4% on average which together with the carb content and protein content contribute to 100 calories per 12 oz. serving on average.
The low-carb IPAs have a crisp, refreshing finish from the substantial hop content. You will find them ranging from West coast or New England style of preparation which result in a clear, hazy, dank, piney, or tropical brew that you can enjoy any time.
Since coming up with a low-calorie (light) IPA is such a methodical process, the breweries that produce low-carb IPAs invest a significant amount of resources in research and development.
The table below gives you the top 10 IPAs with the least amount of calories and carbohydrates for weight watchers or people who enjoy light, refreshing, and hoppy IPAs.
| Low-carb IPA | Brewery, Location | Calories per 12 oz. | Carbs per 12 oz. | Proteins per 12 oz. | ABV |
| Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty | Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, Delaware | 95 calories | 3.6g carbs | 1g protein | 4.0% ABV |
| Summit Triumphant | Summit Brewing Company in St. Paul, Minnesota | 95 calories | 3.5g carbs | 1g protein | 4.0% ABV |
| Firestone Walker Flyjack | Firestone Walker Brewing Company in Paso Robles, California | 96 calories | 5g carbs | 1g protein | 4.0% ABV |
| Victory Easy Ringer | Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown, Pennsylvania | 96 calories | 3g carbs | 1g protein | 4.3% ABV |
| DESTIHL SoundBoard Lo-Cal Hazy IPA | DESTIHL Brewery, Normal, Illinois | 99 calories | 5g carbs | 1g protein | 4.0% ABV |
| Sixpoint Trail Haze | Sixpoint Brewery in Brooklyn, New York | 99 calories | 7g carbs | 0.6g protein | 4.0% ABV |
| Oskar Blues One-Y 100 Calorie Hazy IPA | Oskar Blues Brewery in Longmont, Colorado | 100 calories | 5g carbs | 0g protein | 4.0% ABV |
| Deschutes Wowza | Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon | 100 calories | 4g carbs | 0g protein | 4.0% ABV |
| Sufferfest Gut Check | Sufferfest Beer Company in San Francisco, California | 100 calories | 6g carbs | 0.9g protein | 4.0% ABV |
| Bell’s Light Hearted Ale | Bell’s Brewery, Michigan | 110 calories | 8.7g carbs | 1.3g protein | 3.7% ABV |
Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty- 95 calories
Dogfish Head’s Slightly Mighty IPA is a low-carb beer with a unique taste profile, making it a standout in the low-calorie IPA market. With just 95 calories per 12-ounce can and an ABV of 4%, it’s a perfect choice for those who are looking to balance their calorie intake.
As seen in the table below, Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty is brewed to be the lowest-carb IPA in the market today for a beer of big taste. It has grassy with some apricot (fruit) with hints of hops flavor which leads to a light mouthfeel that is expected from a light IPA. Moreover, the beer is dry with some bitterness.
This beer is brewed with monk fruit, a zero-calorie sweetener, which gives it a rich taste profile, while tropical fruit flavors and prominent sweetness balance the body. It is thus a flavorful beer with the tropical aromas of a world-class IPA.
Additionally, Slightly Mighty has a low carbohydrate content of 3.6g per 12 fluid ounces serving, and a moderate protein content of 1g per 12 fluid ounces serving, making it a well-rounded option for those seeking a healthier beer choice.
Summit Triumphant- 95 calories
Summit Brewing Co.’s Triumphant IPA is a beer that stands out with its low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, and balanced taste profile. With 95 calories, 3.5g of carbohydrates, and 4% ABV per 12oz serving, it’s a great option for those seeking a healthier beer choice.
This IPA is hop-forward, with prominent hop flavors and aromas, as well as moderate hop bitterness, all supported by a malt backbone that provides a balanced and satisfying taste.
Additionally, Triumphant has a moderate protein content of 1g per serving, making it not only a great choice for those watching their calorie and carbohydrate intake, but also for those who are looking for a beer that provides a perfect balance of protein to other nutrients in the beer.
As the third IPA from Summit Brewing Co., Triumphant shines with its low-calorie and carb content, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a healthier, yet delicious beer.
Firestone Walker Flyjack- 96 calories
Firestone Walker’s Flyjack IPA is a low-carb beer that boasts a complex and refreshing taste. With 96 calories and 4% ABV per 12 fl. oz. serving, it’s a great option for those seeking a healthier beer choice that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
Made with wheat and oats, this Hazy/New England Style IPA has a remarkably balanced body that is hazy, bright, and has a roundness that is comparable to full-strength NEIPAs.
The extensive use of hops, including Cascade, Callista, El Dorado, Chinook, Mosaic, Strata, Sabro, and Idaho 7, gives Flyjack a complex and expressive hop profile that is crisp and refreshing.
Notes of citrus and tropical fruit make it thirst-quenching, while its low carbohydrate content of 5g per serving, and moderate protein content of 1g per serving, make it a well-rounded choice for anyone looking for a healthier beer.
Victory Easy Ringer- 96 calories
Victory’s Easy Ringer IPA is a low-carb beer that is crisp, light, and packed with flavor. With 96 calories, 3g of carbohydrates, and 1g of protein per 12 fl. oz. serving, it’s a great option for those seeking a healthier beer choice.
This IPA is known for its low bitterness and prominent hop character, with notes of passionfruit and citrus that are sure to impress.
At 4.3% ABV, it’s a great choice for any occasion and is perfect for tossing back a few. In addition to its fruity notes, Easy Ringer also has a savory aroma, with hints of garlic and onion, and a touch of cabbage scent, making it a well-rounded and unique beer experience.
The combination of its low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, and delicious taste makes Victory’s Easy Ringer IPA a great choice for anyone looking for a healthier, yet satisfying beer.
Bell’s Light Hearted- 110 calories
We have a description of Bell’s Light Hearted IPA since it is the beer with the highest calories in our top 10 light IPAs with 110 calories. However, it is the IPA with the lowest alcohol content at 3.7% ABV.
The calories come from the high carbs and protein content in the beer. The Bell’s Light Hearted beer has 8.7 grams of carbs and 1.3 grams of protein in a 12-fluid-ounce serving.
The Midwest Bell’s Brewery is renowned for producing some of the best IPAs in the world. The Two Hearted Ale has ruled the market for decades.
You will love the bright yellow-orange pour of the IPA which contains a faint haze. The color gives a great character to the beer in addition to the light tropical and stone fruit taste that you experience when you take the light IPA.
Low-calorie IPA vs Regular IPA
As discussed above, the low-calorie IPAs will give you 100 calories per 12 oz. serving. This is quite different from the regular IPAs which give you between 200 to 300 calories for the same 12 oz. serving.
The table below described the differences between a low-calorie IPA (low-carb IPA) and a regular (session) IPA. It helps you decide whether you will go for the higher final gravity (FG), alcohol percentage, and carbohydrates or vice-versa.
| Description | Low-calorie IPA | Regular IPA (session IPA) |
| Calories per 12 oz. | Around 100 calories | Between 200 to 300 calories |
| Alcohol content | Lower ABV (approximately 4% ABV) | Higher ABV (approximately 6% ABV) |
| Beer style | Light beer style | Hoppy or fruity beer style |
| Body | Dryer body with a very low final gravity | Thick, rich, and smooth body. |
| Residual sugars | Low sugar content | High residual sugar in session IPA |
Conclusion
We have gone through the top 10 low-carb and low-calorie IPAs for you to decide whether you will be taking a lighter, lower-calorie option or not. The light IPAs have approximately 100 calories per 12 oz. serving compared to the session IPA which gives you 200 to 300 calories for the same 12 oz. serving.
We have also compared the carbohydrate and protein content in your low-calorie IPA to ensure even among the same category of beer, you can choose the one that suits your calorie intake profile.
Sources
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/g36051143/best-ipa-beers/
https://www.delish.com/kitchen-tools/g40771559/best-ipa-beers/