In recent years low-carb beer has courted a bit of controversy with some people believing it’s a vital strategy in their battle against weight loss, whilst others see it as nothing more than a marketing myth, given that beer does not contain many carbohydrates in the first place.
Whatever your viewpoint there are a number of low-carb brands of beer available to drink in Australia, many of which have great flavours. We’ve done the rounds to see what they are like and have come up with this list of the tastiest low-carb beers in Australia – which we present to you in no particular order.
Pure Blonde Ultra Low Carb Beer
One of the most popular and best-selling low-carb beers in Australia, Pure Blonde Ultra Low Carb Lager is for all intents and purposes a full strength beer that is crisp, light and very flavoursome.
Made by Carlton & United Beverages, it is the kind of beer you drink because you find it refreshing, not specifically because you are looking to be healthy.
The pale lager has an alcoholic percentage of 4.2% and contains 1.7g of carbs. It is also brewed longer than most other beers to break down more natural sugars. Which in turn makes it a low calorie beer as well.
Hahn Ultra Crisp Gluten Free
As most beers incorporate wheat and barley in the brewing process, they are not often suitable for those with a gluten intolerance. Thankfully for them Hahn Ultra Crisp Gluten Free uses rice as an alternative, to create a beverage they can enjoy without suffering a reaction.
Creating a 100% gluten-free lager which has less than 100 calories and 4.5g carbs, this unique beer is brewed with a specially selected yeast. It is also fermented at cool temperatures to produce a light, crisp and hoppy taste which does not compromise on flavour.
Carlton Dry
Another beer made by Carlton & United Breweries, Carlton Dry is a refreshing, uncomplicated full strength brew that is made using premium ingredients.
Containing 6.7g of carbs and a 4.5% alcohol percentage, this smooth tipple was made via an extended brewing process that removed excess sugars.
It has a clean and crisp taste that is very easy on the palate, as well as a fruity aroma that is low in bitterness. Both of which make it the perfect beer to quench your thirst on a very hot day.
Coopers Clear Low Carb Beer
Designed specifically by Coopers Brewery in Adelaide to provide drinkers with a calorie-conscious option, Coopers Clear Low Carb Beer is a classic brew that enjoys a loyal following.
Despite only having 3.6g of carbs, and an alcoholic percentage of 4.2%, the beer retains many of the brewers signature benchmarks. This includes a fragrant aroma, creamy head and light golden colour.
Pairing perfectly with a plate of prawns and an ocean or river view, this beer is easy to drink and tastes delicious.
Summer Bright Lager Low Carb
Appropriately named, Summer Bright Lager Low Carb is a fabulous beer to drink on a warm summer evening.
Renowned for being a light and crisp beer that possesses a mild bitterness, this is a very easy brew to consume decent amounts of. So it’s a good thing it only has 2.7g of carbs.
Boasting a sweet fruity aroma, this light and dry beer has a very crisp taste. At 4.2% alcoholic percentage, the beverage, which is made in Queensland by Castlemaine Perkins, also packs a bit of a punch.
Iron Jack Lager
Made by the Legendary Brewing Company in Queensland, Iron Jack Lager is a mid-strength beer with a 3.5% alcoholic percentage. However this, along with its low calorie count does not negatively impact on its flavour in any way.
Brewed with the state’s warm, rugged climate in mind, they’ve kept the bitterness low in this beer for maximum refreshment.
Utilising Saaz hops during the brewing process, this low-carb beer boasts a moderate complexity. It is also a 100% vegan-friendly brew and preservative-free, so is a more accessible beer to a wider range of drinkers than most other beers on the market.
Skinny Lager
Given its called Skinny Lager, it would seem like a missed marketing opportunity if it wasn’t a low-carb beer.
Made by Heineken in the UK, this premium lager only has 2.97g of carbs. Its also a gluten free and vegan-friendly beer so can be enjoyed by everyone.
Delivering a clean and crisp taste that has a nice full flavour with 4% alcoholic percentage, this beer was specifically created for those who want to make healthier choices.
In comparison to other brands its often a bit less expensive, which is another good reason to buy it.
Great Northern Original Lager
Sitting at the higher end of the low-carb beer market, the Great Northern Original Lager has 5.6g of carbs. But that is still less than many other mainstream beers on the market.
Made in Queensland, with the state’s outdoor lifestyle very much in mind, this fantastic beer is fruity on the nose and very clean on your palate.
Full strength with an alcoholic percentage of 4.2%, it is low in bitterness and features a clean, crisp finish.
This makes it the perfect beer to drink whilst you fire up the barbie and revel in the thought that you live in the lucky country.
Burleigh Brewing Bighead
You’ve heard of low-carbs, but how about no carbs?
Well that is exactly what the team at the Burleigh Brewing Co have created on the Gold Coast with their signature Burleigh Brewing Bighead offering.
Australia’s very first no-carb beer, as the name suggests, it has a big head. But as they have collectively won 27 World Gold Medals for their fantastic craft beers, they obviously know what they are doing.
The beer is both full-flavoured and full-strength, with an alcoholic percentage of 4.2% and a distinct hoppy bitterness.
It is also 100% natural and presents a very clean and crisp taste, and given that it has no carbs, it is also a very good beer for those who are diabetic.