Light beer is a common drink in the U.S. that it might be the most recognizable kind of beer in the country. You’re probably familiar with many of the brands of light beer – Bud Light, Coors Light, and Miller Light being just three big names. Find out what light beer really is and which types you should definitely try.
The truth is: it probably isn’t what you think. Light beer may have had a bit of a bad reputation over the years, but they’re still responsible for almost 50 percent of beer consumption in the U.S. So what exactly is light beer? Let’s dive into it.
What Light Beer Is: Explained
What Light Beer Is: Explained
The label “light beer” can actually relate to many different factors. It could be light on alcohol, carbs, calories, or even taste – as well as a combination of all of these. It will be lighter at least to a certain extent, depending on both your brand of choice and what you’re comparing it to.
However, there are multiple methods of producing light beer, and so this varies greatly. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has a requirement that light beers have “a meaningful decrease in calories compared with a reference full-strength version.” Relevant details must also be displayed on the label and packaging.
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One method brewers use is to lower fermentable sugars in the brewing process by destroying certain enzymes. This lowers both the calorie count and alcohol content. Another method literally dilutes regular beer down with water, which explains why people feel that light beers can taste “watery”. Whatever the method, most light beers contain fewer calories, as well as less alcohol.
Taste of Light Beer
Taste of Light Beer
Light beer, due to the use of less malted barley and usually fewer hops, has a tendency to be a very mild drink. Light beers tend to be lagers, which have a brighter and more mild taste than traditional ales. On the other hand, IPAs, the American Light Lager, has become synonymous with U.S. beer as a whole – for better and for worse.
Light beer is usually served very cold, which has a dulling effect on the flavor in addition to the removal of malt and hops. This means that light beer has a reputation for not tasting like much at all. While this is somewhat unfair, it’s worth noting that many brands of light beer are touted for their easy-drinking refreshment rather than their complex flavor profiles.
Ingredients in Light Beer
The ingredients in light beer are essentially the same as those in regular beer, which typically include water, malted barley, hops, and yeast.
However, light beer is brewed with a higher percentage of adjuncts, such as corn or rice, which are less expensive sources of fermentable sugars than malted barley. This results…
