The 20 Best Low-Carb Craft Beers for Keto Diets

Ultimate Light Golden Ale

Omission Brewing Co. 

Carbs: 5 grams

ABV: 4.2 percent

Calories: 99

This gluten-free brand from Widmer Bros. Brewing Co., a member of the Craft Brew Alliance rolled out this low-carb, low-calorie option for active drinkers in 2017. An immediate hit with active craft beer drinkers, Ultimate Light is “the perfect choice for beer drinkers who are looking for a lighter option but still want to enjoy the full flavor of a delicious craft beer,” according to a release from Omission.

When it debuted in 2017, Ultimate Light joined the brewery’s lineup of gluten-free beers that are perfect for celiacs and gluten-intolerant craft beer fans: Omission IPA, Omission Pale Ale and Omission Lager.

Featuring only 99 calories and 5 grams of carbohydrates, this full-flavored, easy-drinking ale is perfect for beachfront frolicking or post-workout recovery.

“We wanted to create a craft beer that gave active consumers a better-tasting option and one with the additional benefit of being crafted to remove gluten,” said Omission Brewmaster Joe Casey in a press release. “Omission Ultimate Light is an incredibly versatile beer that delivers the complete craft beer experience without weighing you down.”

Vagabond Pale Ale

BrewDog 

Carbs: 5 grams

ABV: 4.5 percent

As has already been stated, putting beers through a gluten removal process can considerably cut carbs during the process. BrewDog, the feisty beer punks out of Scotland, have created their own gluten-reduced beer with Vagabond Pale Ale. With 4.5 percent ABV and 55 IBUs, as well as Amarillo and Centennial hops, this beer features all the piney, citrusy hop character one would expect of a pale ale but only 5 carbs!

Brut-Hero India Pale Ale

Revolution Brewing

Carbs: 5 grams

ABV: 7 percent

IBUs: 35

This limited release from Revolution Brewing hit all eight states in its distribution footprint. If one was looking for a beer that pushes the envelope for ABV while balancing low-carbs, this would be a good choice. In fact, this beer offers the highest alcohol-by-volume on the list.

Being a rendition of the recently popularized Brut IPA style, Brut-Hero is sparkling with white grape, passion fruit and lemon notes and capped with an extra-dry champagne-like finish.

Though this beer is a limited release, John Carruthers, Marketing Manager at Revolution Brewing says that “it will likely reappear in a variety pack soon.”

Eazy Teazy

Lakefront Brewery

Carbs: 5.85 grams

ABV: 3.4 percent

Calories: 99

The last brew on our list comes with a caveat: Though we've aimed to keep beers under 5 grams of carbs per serving, sometimes it's just not easy to do! Most craft beers are jam-packed with carbohydrates, which is, sadly, what makes them the delectable treats that they are. For our final brew, Lakefront Brewery's Eazy Teazy, this beer just creeps over our 5 gram threshold for carbs. Brewed with green tea and oolong tea and Zeus and Lemondrop hops, this zesty and tangy ale serves as the luscious treat (in terms of carbs) for craft beer fans on the keto diet.

So where are some of the other iconic “Light/Lite” beers on this list? Sorry, not all of them cut it for ketosis. For example, Bud Light, the best-selling beer in America, clocks in at 6.6 carbs and 110 calories. Coors Lite plays nicer at 5 carbs and 102 calories per 12 ounces. That said, Miller Lite does get a solid nod for low-swinging 3.2 carbs and 96 calories.

With this kind of variety of low-carb beers already available, and the fact that the top craft beer breweries are making, or buying, more health-focused offerings, those following the keto diet to lose weight won’t have to give up their favorite beverage as long as their body and nutritionist allow it. More so, they can choose beers based on taste, style, tradition or trend.

“At the end of the day, my recommendation is to know your body,” says Kylene Bogden. “I would not recommend drinking beer daily, but instead enjoy in moderation and accompany with the proper macronutrient ratio.”