How Many Calories in a Pint of Beer? | Calories Explained

vape community discussions

Calorie Counter: How Many Calories in a Pint of Beer?

On average, a pint of standard lager (4–5% ABV) contains 180 to 250 calories. But that’s just a ballpark figure — the actual calorie count depends on the strength, style, sugar content, and brand of the beer.

A pint is 568ml in the UK, which makes even a “standard beer” a fairly calorie-dense drink. So if you’re watching your intake, it helps to know what you’re drinking.

Calorie Counts in Popular Beer Brands (Per Pint)


Here’s a look at how many calories are in some of the UK’s most popular beers. These are approximate figures, based on standard ABV and pint servings.

Standard Lagers

  • Carling (4%) – approx. 189 kcal

  • Foster’s (4%) – approx. 204 kcal

  • Heineken (5%) – approx. 227 kcal

  • Stella Artois (4.6%) – approx. 227 kcal

  • Peroni (5.1%) – approx. 235 kcal

  • Budweiser (4.5%) – approx. 232 kcal

  • Amstel (4.1%) – approx. 197 kcal

Ales, IPAs, and Craft Beers


These tend to be higher in calories due to increased malt and alcohol content.

  • Guinness Draught (4.2%) – approx. 210 kcal

  • Greene King IPA (3.6%) – approx. 170 kcal

  • London Pride (4.7%) – approx. 220 kcal

  • BrewDog Punk IPA (5.4%) – approx. 250–270 kcal

Stronger or Premium Beers


Higher ABV beers pack in more calories per pint.

  • Leffe Blonde (6.6%) – approx. 320–330 kcal

  • Duvel (8.5%) – approx. 400 kcal

  • Westmalle Tripel (9.5%) – approx. 430–450 kcal


What About Skinny or Low-Calorie Beers?


If you're looking to cut back, “skinny” beers are specially brewed to have fewer calories and less sugar, while keeping the ABV fairly standard.

Examples include:

  • Skinny Lager (4%) – approx. 89 kcal per 330ml (approx. 153 kcal per pint)

  • Michelob Ultra (4%) – approx. 125 kcal per pint

  • Bud Light (3.5%) – approx. 180 kcal per pint

  • Coors Light (4%) – approx. 170 kcal per pint

These options offer a similar ABV with 30–50 fewer calories per pint than regular beers.

Are Alcohol-Free Beers Lower in Calories?


Generally, yes — but not always.

Many alcohol-free or low-alcohol beers (under 0.5% ABV) contain fewer calories because alcohol itself is high in energy. But sugar content can vary, especially in sweeter alcohol-free lagers or wheat beers.

Here’s a rough idea:

  • Heineken 0.0 – approx. 69 kcal per 330ml (~118 kcal per pint)

  • Becks Blue – approx. 46 kcal per 275ml (~95 kcal per pint)

  • Budweiser Zero – approx. 50 kcal per 330ml (~86 kcal per pint)

  • Lucky Saint (0.5%) – approx. 91 kcal per 330ml (~157 kcal per pint)

  • Ghost Ship 0.5% (Adnams) – approx. 60 kcal per 500ml (~68 kcal per pint)

In general, alcohol-free beers cut calorie content by 30–50%, though it depends on the brand and ingredients.

Final Thought


The number of calories in a pint of beer ranges from around 150 to over 400, depending on the brand, strength, and style. Lighter beers and alcohol-free options can significantly reduce your intake if you're trying to be mindful, but don’t assume all no-alcohol beers are low-calorie by default.

If you're watching your health or just want to balance enjoyment with moderation, sticking to lower-ABV, “skinny” beers or switching to smaller measures (like half pints or bottles) can make a big difference over time.