Colorado craft scene offers tasty beverages with fewer calories and less alcohol
By Kristen Kuchar
In the last several years, the “better-for-you” drink category has exploded with consumers looking for a variety of healthier alternatives to traditional beverages. Options include less sugar, fewer calories and low or no alcohol, to name a few. The words low calorie and craft beer are seldom used in the same sentence, but these Colorado-made brews are showing that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for a health-conscious drink.
Low Light Lager – Elevation Beer Co.
Elevation Beer Co.’s Low Light Lager has the least alcohol in this group at only 3.8 percent ABV. The beer is described as everything you’d anticipate and want from a low-calorie and low-carb beer at 101 calories and 5.3 grams of carbs. The Poncha Springs brewery utilizes North American barley, corn, and German Tettnanger hops for this drinkable brew.
Good Behavior Crushable IPA – Odell Brewing
At just 4 percent ABV and 110 calories, Odell Brewing’s Crushable IPA is a lower-calorie option that still has a light and creamy body and crisp finish. For this year-round brew, Odell set out to make an IPA that has bright hop flavor but is also sessionable. The Fort Collins brewery also offers suggestions on healthy food pairings to accompany it, including a citrus and fennel salad and spicy Thai food.
Dayboard Lager – Dry Dock Brewing
Dry Dock Brewing’s Dayboard Lager is made with two-row malt and Munich malt, the latter to provide a delicate toasty note. It’s hopped with Ekuanot hops that provide notes of citrus and pine. Brewers use an enzyme in the making of the lager that reduces the carbs down to just 3 carbs and gets the beer under 110 calories, while greatly reducing the gluten. The 4.5 percent ABV brew is available on draft and in cans year-round.
Stem Cider has not one but three options for a 100-calorie cider. Real Light is the cidery’s take on its classic Real Dry Cider, but with less calories and only 4.6 percent ABV versus the original 6.8 percent. As part of the Botanical cider series, Carrot Ginger Turmeric and Leaves, a blend of fresh pressed apples, lemongrass, lemon verbena botanicals and fresh brewed oolong and black teas, both come in at 4.2 percent ABV with no added sugar and 2 grams of carbs.
Thin Air IPA — Pikes Peak Brewing
Thin Air IPA is the lowest-calorie beer on the list, with just 95 and less than 2 grams of carbs. It’s dry-hopped with Mosaic, Cascade and Citra hops for a nice citrus flavor. The Session IPA comes in at 4 percent ABV but is described as a full-flavored IPA. It’s available all year and served on tap at the Monument brewery.
Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer — Tivoli Brewing Company
You can trace Tivoli Brewing Company’s history back to 1859, but that doesn’t mean the brewery isn’t keeping up with current industry trends. The Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer is described as a modernized light lager with tasting notes of crisp, light and smooth. The beer weighs in at only 105 calories with 5 carbs and is 4.2 percent ABV per 12-ounce serving.
Mile High Cider — Colorado Cider Company
Colorado Cider Company produces a wide variety of ciders, from heirloom blends to rum- and whiskey-barrel aged ones. But for a lower calorie option, the Mile High Cider has just 105 calories, 2 grams of carbs and 5.28 percent ABV. The gluten-free drink is made of freshly pressed apple juice, Colorado beet sugar and yeast.
Little Rascal — Avery Brewing Company
Little Rascal is inspired by Avery Brewing’s popular White Rascal. Except this Belgian-style White Ale has less alcohol at 4.5 percent ABV and fewer calories with only 100 per can. It gets a citrus kick being brewed with Citron Limon, Meyer lemon and Lemondrop hops. This session ale is available in 6-pack cans.
Kristen Kuchar is a freelance writer covering food, libations, music and other Colorado gatherings.
This article appeared in the January-February issue of our print magazine. Click here to read the full magazine online.