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How many calories are in beer?

Paul Hummel Last reviewed June 10, 2026 4 min read
How many calories are in beer?
Quick answer

According to the Bundeslebensmittelschlüssel (BLS) — Germany’s national food composition database — a half liter (17 fl oz) of pilsner at 4.9 percent alcohol contains around 215 calories. Wheat beer comes in slightly higher at about 235 calories per 0.5 l, while alcohol-free beer sits at 125 calories.

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    Where the calories in beer come from

    The energy in beer flows from two sources: alcohol and residual carbohydrates. Ethanol delivers 7 calories per gram, according to the German Nutrition Society (DGE) — more than protein or carbohydrate, but less than fat. The carbohydrate share comes from unfermented wort and provides 4 calories per gram. In a typical pilsner, roughly 80 percent of the energy comes from the alcohol.

    Chart: How many calories are in beer?

    Calories by beer style

    The values below are based on BLS data from the Max Rubner Institute and average product figures from major German breweries.

    Style (0.5 l / 17 fl oz)Calories
    Pilsner (4.9% ABV)215 kcal
    Helles — Bavarian pale lager (5.0% ABV)220 kcal
    Wheat beer / Weissbier (5.4% ABV)235 kcal
    Radler (beer-lemonade shandy)250 kcal
    Alcohol-free beer125 kcal

    Beer in your daily calorie budget

    The energy from beer counts toward your daily calorie balance like any other energy source. In a calorie deficit, beer shrinks the room you have left for the rest of the day’s food accordingly. Alcohol-free beer carries around 40 percent fewer calories per half liter than pilsner or Helles, making it the lower-calorie alternative.

    The German Centre for Addiction Issues (DHS) defines low-risk drinking as no more than 12 grams of pure alcohol per day for women and 24 grams for men — roughly 0.3 l and 0.6 l of beer at 5 percent alcohol, respectively. It also recommends at least two alcohol-free days per week.

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    Related questions

    Sources

    1. Max Rubner Institute. Bundeslebensmittelschlüssel (BLS), version 3.02 — Germany’s national food composition database. blsdb.de
    2. German Nutrition Society (DGE). Energy density of alcohol. dge.de
    3. German Brewers Association (Deutscher Brauer-Bund). Nutrition information. brauer-bund.de
    4. German Centre for Addiction Issues (DHS). Alcohol — low-risk consumption. dhs.de
    This content is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, nutritional, or therapeutic advice. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or take medication, please consult a qualified professional. Recommendations apply to healthy adults.