There was a time not too long ago when “light beer” seemed like a bad word. If you took a time machine back to the early aughts, you’d be met with a cooler filled with fizzy, yellow, borderline flavorless macro light beers with no crushable, balanced craft options in sight. Luckily, things are different now, and there are seemingly countless options available for drinkers looking for a refreshing, flavorful light beer.
I know all about the world of fizzy nonsense brews. I spent many years sipping “light” beers that tasted more like hoppy carbonated water than actual beer. Today, you can stop into any beer or grocery store and snag a sixer of a craft light beer that barely resembles the light beer your dad drank. That leads us to one important question: what exactly is a light beer?
What is a light beer?
Just as you might have suspected, a light beer is brewed to have fewer calories, fewer carbs, and less alcohol by volume than other beers. They’re crafted to be less filling and often fairly crushable. While light beers are often pale lagers, they can also be IPAs, wheat beers, and more.
Historically, the most well-known light beers were brands like Coors Light, Bud Light, and Miller Lite. Today, while you can still find these tried and true brews, there are also outstanding options from breweries like Lagunitas, Creature Comforts, Bell’s, and more.
The best light beers
Since we’ve already learned what a light beer is and why this style is appealing (especially during the late spring and well into the summer months), it’s time to find the best options for your refrigerator. Below, you’ll find some of the best light lagers, IPAs, and other styles.
How I pick my light beers
I used to settle for the yellow, fizzy water of old. Now, since we’re in a new era of light beers, I base my selections on which ones are balanced, flavorful, and still crushable. That’s what I’m looking for in a light beer. Keep scrolling to see all of my picks.
Oskar Blues Dale’s Light Lager
You might have tried Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale, but have you ever tried the recently launched Dale’s Light Lager? If you haven’t, you should. Brewed with light Pilsner malt, floral, earthy noble hops, and lager yeast, it’s known for its crisp, refreshing flavor profile that begins with a nose of fresh-baked bread, honey, cereal grains, and floral, earthy hops. The palate is centered on bready malts, cereal grains, citrus, and floral noble hops. The finish is dry, thirst-quenching, and ends with a hint of floral, lightly bitter hop flavor. This balanced beer is also only 4,2% ABV, 95 calories, and 2.5 carbs per 12-ounce can.
Bell’s Light Hearted IPA
If you already enjoy Bell’s iconic Two Hearted IPA, you’ll love the light version: Bell’s Light Hearted IPA. This 4% ABV session
Creature Comforts Classic City Light Lager
With a name like Classic City Light Lager, you better believe this beer is as timeless as light lagers get. It’s brewed with Pilsner malt, flaked wheat, house lager yeast, and Saphir and Hallertau Blanc hops. The result is a surprisingly flavorful light beer that begins with scents of fresh-baked bread, honey, orange peels, wet grass, and earthy, floral hops. Drinking it brings notes of bready malts, caramel, lemon, fresh cut grass, hay, and floral noble hops. The finish is clean, crisp, dry, and effortlessly refreshing. All this and it’s only 4% ABV, 95 Calories, and 3.5 carbs per 12-ounce can.
Firestone Walker 805 Blonde Ale
The California blonde ale isn’t your average light beer. Brewed with water, 2-row barley malt, white wheat, honey malt, and proprietary ale yeast, it gets its hop presence from the liberal use of Tradition hops. This results in an easy-drinking, unique beer you’ll keep coming back to. It all begins with a nose of cereal grains, wheat malt, ripe fruits, and floral hops. The palate is a mix of bready malts, honey, cereal grains, sweet wheat, and orange peels. The finish is sweet and citrusy, ending with just a hint of hop bitterness. To add to that, it’s a sessionable 4.7% ABV.
