Can craft beer be part of a healthy diet? It seems like a ridiculous question but in moderation beer won’t wreck your diet. However, many modern craft beer trends have provided us with options that are very high in calories. New England IPAs, pastry stouts, and many others can have hundreds of calories per serving. While these are popular styles, they leave many seeking healthier options. One of those options is the Low Calorie IPA.
What Is A Low Calorie IPA?
Much like any “new” craft beer style, there are few real guidelines defining what a Low Calorie IPA should be. However, a few key stats stand out when you compare the options that exist. The most important factor is Low Calorie IPAs have around 100 calories per 12 ounces.
This magical 100 calorie count is the same that just about every “healthy” snack or beverage is striving to achieve. You see 100 calorie snacks at the grocery store and it is the same calorie count that the majority of hard seltzers contain as well. There’s something magical about 100 calories, it captures the consumer’s attention and helps sell the product.
Outside of calories, this style will have an ABV in the 4% range. As ABV increases, so don’t look for a big kick from the ABV with this style. But that’s goo d as it fits well into the lifestyle of those focused on their health and moderation.
Are These Really Just Session IPAs?
Do you remember the Session IPA? This style has been around for quite a while but never became as popular as other variations of the IPA.
Much like the Low Calorie IPA, the goal of the Session IPA was to provide a lighter beer drinking experience while maintaining the hop-forward profile of an IPA. The result was mixed. Many were good but others felt thin or the hops didn’t provide the punch that drinkers were seeking.
And the term “Session” isn’t always understood by the consumer. Even among beer enthusiasts, there are debates about what Session should mean. Low Calorie IPAs are really the latest reincarnation of the Session IPA. With an easier to understand name and increased hop presence, it has a real strong chance to making a mark in the beer market and competing against the other “healthy” alcohol options like hard seltzers.
Low Calorie IPA Examples
Low Rise IPA
Perrin Brewing Co.
I really enjoy knowing what hop varieties are used in a beer. It helps prepare me for the flavor. In addition, it helps me determine which hops I prefer.
Perrin has used Sultana and Citra in this 100 calorie IPA. The result is a floral and slightly citrus profile.
This provided more body than I usually expect from a low ABV beer.
RecreationAle
Terrapin Beer Co.
In addition to having great flavor at 99 calories per 12oz serving, you’ll find it in 12 packs of 16oz cans – great for entertaining!
A variety of modern hops (Citra, Galaxy, Centennial, etc). will appeal to those enjoying recent IPA trends.
Look For Your Local Options Too
While you’ll find that many national and regional brands will have Low Calorie IPAs, don’t forget to check out your local breweries. While I think this style will be most popular in cans, I do think you’ll find some taproom exclusives as well.
In my area, a few breweries have already released this style to their fans. Rhinegeist Mathlete, MadTree Ramble On, and West Side 99 Calorie Session IPA. As you can see, not everyone has dropped the “Session” name since for many it means the same thing.
To learn more about what’s happening with low calorie beer in Cincinnati, check out this great article from The Gnarly Gnome.
Non-IPA Low Calorie Beers
While this article is focused on the IPA, it is worth noting that other styles can have low calories as well.
For example, Fifty West Quencher has 100 calories, electrolytes added, reduced gluten, and tastes really good. It is similar to a gose with a touch less tart, a bit more salty, and a nice watermelon – lime flavor.
Final Thoughts On The Low Calorie IPA
Beer that is near 100 calories per 12 ounce serving isn’t a new thing because many lower ABV beers have always been close to that number. The problem is only light American lagers marketed their calories. Other brands didn’t want to be associated with the flavor of light beers or get into the battle of who had the least amount of calories.
With an increased demand for the Low Calories IPA, breweries will start to market the calories found in more of their beers. This will encourage breweries to provide more details about their beer as well as expand their offerings to include more low ABV and low calorie options.
However, there is a real risk as well. Craft beer should be more flavorful and is held to a higher standard of quality. So the Low Calorie IPA must not taste watered down or it will be short lived. In addition, it will be very hard for many breweries to compete in the light beer category which is dominated by the big beer brands. Consumers must be given a good reason to buy a “light craft beer” instead of the much less expensive light beers.
There’s a real opportunity for the Low Calories IPA to be the next big thing in craft beer. Specifically during the summer, consumers are looking for light options as the temperatures rise. But the discerning craft beer fan isn’t willing to sacrifice flavor. From the few I’ve tried, IPA fans will love the Low Calorie IPA option since they still provide a great overall flavor.
Have you tried a Low Calorie IPA? Comment below to let us know your thoughts!
One thought on “Low Calorie IPA: The Next Big Trend In Craft Beer?”
Looks good!I like this!