9 Popular Light BeersRanked From Worst To Best

When it comes to beerthere are seemingly countless varieties consumers can choose from to conform to their particular taste. But when talking about the massesthere's one type of beer that largely appeals to the public more so than othersand consistently tops the highest-selling beers of the year charts: Light beer. Rather than trying to brew a beverage focusing primarily on its flavor or hoppinessthe objective of light beer is to create something that is easy to drink. This means an emphasis on reduced caloriesrather than hops or a high ABV (alcohol by volume).

Why this appeals to the public is not the point of this list. Ratherthe point is to rank nine of the most popular light beers to help you find what suits you. This involves beer made with an emphasis on low calories and high drinkabilityand that is available on a large scale.

Foundedor rather revivedby Travis and Jason Kelce in 2023Garage Beer is rapidly ascending the light beer market as a clear fan favorite. Having grown its sales by over 250% in 2023 (the fastest rising beer brand that year)Garage Beer is officially available in all 50 states as of 2025 and offers a new take on a Cincinnati classic. Originally released in 2018 with the name of the brewery included in the name ("Braxton Brewing Co.")the beer spun off from its parent company while also focusing less on the hops in the drink.

This applies to the recipetooas the beer produced by Garage Beer Co. tweaked the formula to be more inclusive. The brand is opting to appeal to the massesreferring to their drink as "beer flavored beer" and as the beer with "no bitterness." This leads to a brew with a flavor that is malty and slightly sweetbut which has absolutely no hoppy flavor. True to its advertisingthis is a beer with almost no bitterness whatsoeverwhich makes it extremely easy to drink (as well as its minuscule 95 calories per 12 ounces and 4.0 ABV). If this is the kind of lighter alcoholic beverage you're looking forGarage Beer is exactly what it sounds like: A simple beer-flavored beer. If you want something with a little more kickhoweverseveral other options provide a fuller flavor profile.

Busch Lighta product from the beer juggernaut Anheuser-Buschwas introduced way back in 1955 as Busch Bavarian. It eventually dropped the "Bavarian" in 1979 and would finally receive the "Light" title when it was introduced as a draft beer in 1989. Busch Light is grainy and malty with a light sweetnesscreating a pleasant concoction that pairs perfectly with the outdoors aesthetic the company has cultivated around the beer (complete with iconic camo-clad cans).

When it comes to caloriesBusch Light is on the lighter sidewith only 95 per 12 ounces. Thisalong with its delicious (albeit uncomplicated) flavor profile and light mouth feelresults in a refreshing and crisp beer with fewer calories than most of its counterparts. Whether you opt for one of the company's signature tallboy cans or an ice-cold draft of Busch Lightyou'll be treating yourself to a solid glass of light beer.

Introduced in 2002 as an even lighter alternative to light beerAnheuser-Busch's Michelob Ultra has since become one of the most popular beers available. In factas of 2025Michelob Ultra officially overtook Modelo as the highest-selling beer in the countrysignaling just how fond of this beer consumers are. The flavor of this beer is tasty and inoffensivewith subtle notes of citrusmild bitterness from the hopsand sweetness from the malt. It is very carbonatedresulting in one of the most crisp and refreshing beers availableperiod.

The appeal to this beer isn't just its flavorhowever. As mentioned abovethe line's main focus is its calorie countor lack thereof. With only 95 calories per 12 ounces and an ABV of 4.2%the beer is not only delicious but also extremely easy to drink (while not weighing down the stomach the same way heavier beers do). It may not be the very best light beer availablebut you can't go wrong grabbing a can of the most popular beer in Americaas it's just asif not morerefreshing than any of its peers.

One of the most drinkable and (until recently) popular beers in the country is Anheuser-Busch's Bud Light. A lighter take on the company's signature Budweiserthis line was originally released in 1982 under the name "Budweiser Light" before eventually being shortened to its current name. This beer boasts a subtle fruity/citrus tastefinished off by a sweetness from the barley malt and a light bitterness from the hops.

Containing only 110 calories per 12-ounce can and an ABV of 4.2%Bud Light goes down easy and delivers a crisp finish that's been a favorite of Americans since the mid-1980s or so. Despite its recent dip in popularityBud Light has been leaning heavily on advertising to remain a big hit for consumers. There are clearly other light beers that rank ahead of itbut Bud Light's refreshing crispness and easy drinkability will always be a favorite among drinkers. It's well worth a try if you're looking for a lighter alternative to your full-bodied beers.

Natural Lightintroduced by Anheuser-Busch in 1977 as the company's first beer with reduced calorieshas long been associated with cheapnessas it's consistently been one of the lowest-priced beers available. This has resulted in the beer garnering a rather unscrupulous reputation because of thisand it is often mocked for its perceived poor quality. This couldn't be further from the truthhoweveras Natural Light provides an extremely tasty drink for an extremely low price.

Containing light malt and hops gives the beer a small bite of sweetness and bitternessandalong with the high carbonation and slight metallic tastecreates a flavor that almost borders on fruitybut which is firmly a refreshing American- lager. It also has only 95 calories per 12 ouncesmaking it one of the lightest beers on the marketon par with drinks like Michelob Ultra. There may be drinks with a stronger flavorbut at its price pointNatural Light offers an extremely refreshing drink whose cost belies its surprisingly superior quality.

Having started production in 2024Samuel Adams American Light is a crisp and refreshing option for those who enjoy light beer and/or Samuel Adams beverages. Containing light floral hops and sweetness with low bitternessthis beer is one of the most drinkable on this listas its flavors are both unobtrusive and inoffensive. Thispaired with its 115 calories per 12 ounces and 4.2% ABVmakes it one of the smoothest beers available today.

While the brewery typically focuses on strongermore full-bodied beers (particularly those centered around late summer and autumn variations)American Light is its attempt to offer a more casuallighter drink that can be enjoyed on a myriad of different occasions. It may not be the more flavorfulheavier (and typically seasonal) beers that helped Samuel Adams carve out a path as one of the best-selling beer companies in America. Stillthis new rendition of the classic light beer should not be missedas its taste is pleasantly refreshing year-round.

Produced by Miller Lite Brewing Company (which was acquired by Molson Coors Beverage Company in 2016)Miller Lite has long been one of the best-selling light beers in the country. Introduced in 1975 as one of the first of the ultra-popular light beers that dominate the market todaythis beer continues to be one of the best-selling lines of any brand.

Miller Lite's flavor is slightly sweet from the malt with a light citrus tasteand is balanced out with a faint bitterness and flavors of toasted grain for a combination that's as delicious as it is simple. Its popularity even reaches beyond simply drinking the beertooas the company has released other products celebrating its iconic flavorsuch as beer-flavored coals to grill with in the summer. Containing only 96 calories per 12 ounces and an ABV of 4.2%there aren't many better options for a light beer that's every bit as delicious as it is easy to drinkeven if the flavor profile is relatively simple.

Brewed by Rhinegeist Brewery out of CincinnatiOhioCincy Light represents its home city well. Highly carbonatedsweetand slightly hoppy with a light metallic tastethis light beer's flavor profile is one of the strongest of any light beerand its 110 calories per 12 ounces ensure you can keep drinking without feeling weighed down.

Cincy Light started production in 2023 and is one of the newer beverages in the light beer market. This hasn't affected its popularityhoweveras the success of the drink quickly shot Rhinegeist's sales in Ohio by 7%officially surpassing Great Lakes Brewing Company as the most popular craft brewery in the state in 2024. While the company's flagship may be its Truth IPA lineCincy Light is rapidly ascending as not only one of the best beers Rhinegeist offers but also as a rising star in the light beer market. Available year-round throughout the Midwest (wherever Rhinegeist beverages can be found)Cincy Light is an excellent light beer whose rise is all but justified by its crispsmooth flavor and extremely easy drinkability.

Having debuted in 1978 as a response to the rise in popularity of light beersCoors Light remains a staple in not just the light beer market but the beer market as a whole. The "Silver Bullet" (as the beer is known colloquially) is made with primarily barley maltlager yeastand corn syrupgiving it a sweeter flavor with a mild bitterness from the hopsand a light floral aroma.

With an advertising campaign centered around portraying its beer as the epitome of a coldcrisplight beerCoors Light can be found essentially anywhere beer can be found and offers just that: an almost perfect encapsulation of what a light beer should be. With only 102 calories per 12 ounces and an ABV of 4.2%the Coors Light line from Molson Coors Beverage Company is the quintessential light beer and is best enjoyed when it's as cold as it can be.

This list focuses on ranking popular light beerswhich we've tried and rated based on factors such as flavordrinkabilitycalorie contentand pricing. We included beers that are brewed with a "light" philosophy (that involves drinks with reduced calories and a lower ABV)as well as drinks that are available on a large scale. This means drinks such as Hamm's Beerwhile being relatively lower in calories at 142 per 12 ouncesare still not considered "light" as their focus is not on their reduced caloriesand they do not promote the lack of calories as a primary selling point of the drink.

If a beer is not available on a large scaletooit is disqualified from this list. These would include local beers that are only available in one or two cities or states. For examplethe original Garage Beer (produced by Braxton Brewing Co.) would not be included in this list as it was both higher in hops and only available in Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Converselythe modern Garage Beerone that focuses on a low bitterness/carb count and is available in all 50 statesis the exact kind of drink this list is targeting.