10 Healthier Beers (and How to Choose the Right One)

Feeling guilty about knocking a few backs? It might be time to stop! Beer consumption has been shown to help protect against heart disease and lower the risk of hypertension with moderate consumption — not all-night endeavors. As it turns out, all beers aren’t created equal, so grabbing whichever tallboy is on special this week doesn’t guarantee these health benefits. Here are a few that will.

A-Head of the Game — The Need-to-Know

Many of beer’s benefits stem from natural antioxidants called phenols found in beer, wine, and many other foods. Ales typically have a higher phenol concentration, which means they also pack more heart-protecting powers. While phenols do provide some health benefits, slamming a keg won’t provide much more than a killer hangover. Stick with moderate alcohol consumption (one drink per day for women, and up to two for men) to get the health benefits without feeling down the next day.
(Also Check Out: Hack Your Beer: Pedicures, Food, and Beer Shampoo)
To help you make healthier choices when indulging, we’ve created a list of our 10 favorites, healthier beers, including some old-time favorites and some interesting blends. (And don’t worry — we’ve got our gluten-free friends covered, too!)

 Popping Bottles — The Ultimate Beer List

1. Yuengling Light Lager
Looking for a full-flavor lager that’s still light on calories? Search no further. Yuengling managed to cram the health benefits of a lager with a lower carb count of only 99 calories, this is definitely the best selection for a healthier classic brew.

Type: Lager
Alcohol Content: 3.8%
Calories: 99
Carbs: 9 grams

2. New Planet 3R Raspberry Ale
This newer brew skips out on the gluten and uses sorghum, corn, and raspberry puree malty to create a not-too-sweet fruity brew with extra antioxidants (from the berries). Perfect for those looking to indulge and still stay away from gluten. Plus, New Planet donates a portion of sales from this beer to Colorado-based non-profits using the 3R philosophy — reduce, reuse, recycle.

Type: Ale
Alcohol Content: 5%
Calories: 160
Carbs: 17 grams

3. Abita Purple Haze
Don’t enjoy the bitter taste of beer but still want to reap the heart-health benefits? Have no fear! Abita infused this brew with real raspberries to deliver a fruity aroma and a sweet taste. Packed with so many berries, this brew even displays a purplish hue (hence the name)!

Type: Lager
Alcohol Content: 4.2%
Calories: 145
Carbs: 11 grams 

4. Left Hand Good Juju
Complete with a hint of fresh ginger (one of our favorite superfoods!), this unique ale combines unique herbs and spices to bring out a full flavor. This lighter-bodied brew is perfect for those that want full flavor without sacrificing an expanding waistline.

Type: Ale
Alcohol Content: 4.5%
Calories: 131
Carbs: 12.1 grams

5. Guinness Draught
This dark Irish blend — famous for quenching thirsts on St. Patty’s day — makes the list as a classic with a creamy decadence and sneakily healthy twist! Packed with phenols, this super-dark staple brings the taste and feel of a stout with fewer carbohydrates and calories.

Type: Stout
Alcohol Content: 4%
Calories: 126
Carbs: 10 grams

6. Sam Adam’s Light Lager
Creating a light beer that still stands up to Sam Adam’s taste was no easy task. Brewers stuck to the basics and invented a lighter-calorie beer that didn’t sacrifice flavor making this beer perfect for those looking to stay health-conscious without skimping on the taste.

Type: Lager
Alcohol Content: 4%
Calories: 119
Carbs: 9.7 grams

7. New Belgium Blue Paddle
This brew packs the hops without expanding the waistline. Complete with a fruity/herbal aroma and a slightly bitter finish, this beer delivers a healthy wallop!

Type: Pilsner (Lager)
Alcohol Content: 4.8%
Calories: 145
Carbs: 14 grams

8. Stone/Ishii/Baird Japanese Green Tea IPA
Perhaps one of the most exotic beers on the list, this collaborative effort from several breweries packs a unique taste and higher alcohol content. Don’t fall prey to sticker shock — while this brew packs the highest calorie total on the list, the antioxidants from the green tea pack have a huge health benefit. Plus, it’s higher in alcohol, so just half of one 12-ounce bottle will surely suffice. And don’t go overboard and kick back the whole six-pack. Still not convinced? Feel good about indulging, as all proceeds from this beer go to Japanese tsunami relief programs.

Type: India Pale Ale
Alcohol Content: 9.2%
Calories: 276
Carbs: 19 grams

9. Butte Creek Organic India Pale Ale
Looking for an organic pale ale that is made free of potentially hazardous pesticides and chemical fertilizers but still tastes great? Look no further! Butte Creek has managed just that with this Indian pale ale.

Type: India Pale Ale
Alcohol Content: 6.4%
Calories: 201 (22 oz.)
Carbs: 1.9 grams

10. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Combining a heap of hops with slight hints of orange blossom is no small task. Sierra Nevada pulls it off with this award-winning brew.

Type: Pale Ale
Alcohol Content: 5.6%
Calories: 175
Carbs: 14.1 grams

*Note: All nutrition facts are based on a 12-ounce serving unless otherwise noted.