The Best Lower Calorie Beers of Summer 2019

Welcome to the golden age of beer, where nano and macro breweries alike have taken to producing swiftly drinkable, low-alcohol, lower-calories beers that are as refreshing as they are invigorating. To honor this new age, here's your guide to explore the brews that will fuel your entire summer.

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These brews have different hues, but they're all lower in calorie and delicious for summer drinking.

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Brewers are cranking out full-flavored beers with less than half the calories of your usual craft offerings. So they're great for any occasion, but especially these cherished summer pastimes.

TED+CHELSEA CAVANAUGH

1. BEST SEAFOOD-BOIL BEER

KARBACH BREWING CO. TASTY WAVES

BUY HERE

Claw cracking, shell peeling, cob gnawing– there's no better summer feast than a giant pot o' shellfish with all the fixings. Enjoy Karbach Brewing Co.'s Tasty Waves. This is one even-keeled, only slightly hoppy ale. Total Calories: 155

2. BEST POSTWORK DECK BEER

SAMUEL ADAMS SUMMER ALE

BUY HERE

Sam recently citrus-ified its 23-year-old classic by dumping in lemons, limes and oranges. The Samuel Adams Summer Ale is a bracing jolt that goes well with Adirondack chairs, a sunset, and silencing your office email account. Total Calories: 166

3. BEST BEER GARDEN BEER

JACK'S ABBY CRAFT LAGER BLOOD ORANGE

BUY HERE

When German's mixed beer with lemon soda, they created the "radler," one of the world's most refreshing beverages. Unlike many candylike radlers, Jack's Abby Craft Lagers' Blood Orange Wheat carries only a faint sweetness and keeps calories low with 4% ABV. Total Calories: 130

4. BEST BEACH BEER

ELYSIAN BREWING SALUTE THE SUN

BUY HERE

The Seattle-based brewery took the Elysian Brewing Salute the Sun and stuffed it silly with CItra hops and tart limes. It's easy-drinking and 5.2% ABV. Total Calories: 155

5. BEST YARD-WORK BEER

SIXPOINT BREWERY CITRUS JAMMER

BUY HERE

Sixpoint Brewery's Citrus Jammer contains sea salt, which helps after sweating through a thorough weeding. Thanks to its 4% ABV, you could go back to working in the yard. Or have another one of these sweet-sour beers. Total Calories: 125

Is There a Smart Way to Day-Drink?

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Yes, but heat and water loss pose a challenge.

1. Stay hydrated. Because you're likely outside and sweating, you should drink water or seltzer between beers.
2. Replace electrolytes. You lose them when you sweat, so make sure you also eat something with salt. Pretzels, anyone?
3. Heed nature's call. Ignore the whole "breaking the seal" myth. Frequent urination is a sign that you're well hydrated. If you can't remember the last time you peed, it's time for water (and maybe lay off the booze).
   

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TED+CHELSEA CAVANAUGH

The trick is to separate your offerings into thirds.

1. The First Section - Dedicate the first third to straightforward beers everybody loves; these are your crisp pilsners and classic algers, say Joe Bisacca, cofounder of Elysian Brewing. Think Corona, Yuengling, Michelob Ultra.
2. The Second Section - Devote this part to beers for more adventurous types, but skip nap-inducing double IPAs or anything aged in a bourbon barrel. Instead, go with varieties such as sours, goses, and saisons.
3. The Final Section - This is your party fail-safe. Stock this portion with nonalcoholic alternatives—your water, your seltzers, and (everyone forgets this last part) a few snacks. Everyone's happy; no one's thirsty.
   

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The Best New Cooler of the Summer

Pelican 20-Quart Elite Cooler

Overpriced options amy come with Bluetooth or ATV tires, but what matters is how long beer stays cold. Pelican says this box keeps 25 pounds of ice for up to ten days. If that's true, who needs a fridge?



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Pelican Elite 20 Quart Cooler

Pelican amazon.com

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New-school beers make great mixers straight out of the can. Carey Jones, coauthor of Be Your Own Bartender, has your recipes.



The Beer: Golden Road Brewing Mango Cart

Pour 3 oz into a pint glass with ice and 5 oz coconut water, 1 oz dark rum, and 1/2 oz lime juice.
Garnish it with: a lime wheel and a cocktail umbrella.
And you have: a MangoNut Punch, which tastes a lot like lounging poolside at a swanky Miami hotel.



The Beer: Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty

Pour 40z into a collins glass with ice and 2 oz ginger beer (such as Fever-Tree) 1/2 oz lemon juice, and 1 ox vodka.
Garnish it with: a big mint sprig, clapped between your hands to release its aroma.
And you have: a Slightly Mightier, which is one heck of a while-you're-grilling drink.



The Beer: Sufferfest Beer Company

Pour 1 can into a pint glass rimmed with lime juice and salt, plus 1 1/2 oz blanco tequila, 2 oz pomegranate juice, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Garnish it with: a lime wedge.
And you have: a SufferLess, which goes best with Taco Tuesday, preferably after a long run or bike ride.

Why Do Some Beers List Calories and Others Don't?

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Well, no one forces them to. While nutritional labeling is regulated by the FDA, alcohol falls under the jurisdiction of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which currently sets no such requirement. Some breweries publish calories (Miller 64, for one) but do so voluntarily. One general rule: The higher the alcohol by volume a beer has, the higher in calories it is. –Carey Jones