Your Guide to Popular Lagers That Go Easy on the Macros
‘Tis the season for the beers to flow. Office parties, pub lunches, family gatherings, catch-ups with old friends — December has a way of filling your calendar and your glass.
And while most of us keep a cautious eye on the calories piled high on our plates or the chocolate mysteriously disappearing from our stockings, it’s the liquid calories that often fly under the radar.
That’s where a little strategy can make a big difference. Because not all beers are created equal, and some are far kinder to your daily macro count than others.
So if you’re planning to toast your way through the holiday without completely derailing your fitness goals, we’ve rounded up three popular lagers that are crisp, widely loved, and surprisingly reasonable when it comes to calories and carbs.
Better yet? You can pour each one ice cold on tap at home. No pub trip required.
But before we dive into the specifics, let’s quickly look at why some beers push your calorie count higher than others.
Why Some Pints Pack a Heavier Calorie Punch
The calories in beer mostly come from two sources: alcohol and carbohydrates. Alcohol itself contains around 7 calories per gram, making strong beers naturally higher in calories.
So as a general rule of thumb, keep in mind that stronger beers tend to put a bigger dent in your daily allowance.
Meanwhile, maltier brews, festive dessert-flavoured specials, and IPAs often carry extra carbs from residual sugar not gobbled up by the yeast, nudging their calorie count upward.
That’s why a pint of stout or a strong IPA can creep up to 230–260 calories (sometimes more), while lighter lagers — typically between 4% and 4.5% ABV — tend to sit below the 200-calorie mark.
There are low-calorie or zero-alcohol options like Heineken 0.0, Corona Cero and Skinny Lager, which drop well below 100 calories per bottle.
But for many people, a bottled light beer simply isn’t the same as a proper pint — especially at Christmas.
So rather than going down the ultra-light route, we’ve focused on popular lagers you’ll find in pubs up and down the country — beers with flavour, heritage, and enough strength to feel like the real thing.
Here’s how they stack up.
1) Amstel: The Easy Drinker With Surprising Macro-Friendly Stats
If there’s a pub nearby, there’s a high chance Amstel is flowing. As one of the UK’s most popular lagers, it’s a safe bet for those who want a reliably crisp pint that doesn’t weigh them down — either in taste or in calories.
Calories & Carbs
A standard pint of Amstel (4.1% ABV) contains:
- 176 calories per pint
- Around 10g of carbs
That puts it firmly in the low to mid-range calorie bracket for lagers — lighter than many ales, far below most IPAs, and a noticeable step down from heavier festive brews.
At-Home Pour: The Festive Keg Deal
For December only, Beerwulf is offering something genuinely standout:
- 4 x 8L Blade kegs of Amstel for £100.
That’s 32 litres of pub-quality Amstel, and more than enough to cover office parties, family gatherings, sofa sessions, and New Year’s Eve without a single bar queue in sight.
If you already have a BLADE machine, you’re sorted. If not? Keep reading, there are starter pack deals for the next two beers.
2) Birra Moretti: Smooth, Malty, and Still Macro-Friendly
Birra Moretti has become a firm favourite across the UK in recent years. The iconic Italian Pilsner is smooth, masterfully crafted, and feels more premium than your average pub pint, which can lead people to assume it’s high in calories.
But it’s actually more modest than you’d think.
Calories & Carbs
A pint of Birra Moretti (4.6% ABV) typically comes in at:
- 239 calories per pint
- Around 19g of carbs
Definitely a fuller profile than Amstel, but still very manageable during the festive season — especially if you’re staying mindful without cutting out your favourite popular lagers entirely.
At-Home Pour: £100 Off Starter Packs
Throughout December, Beerwulf is offering:
- £100 off Birra Moretti BLADE Starter Packs.
Each pack includes:
- A BLADE home beer tap
- An 8L Birra Moretti keg
- A BLADE dome
Ideal for hosting, gifting, or turning your kitchen into a local everyone wants to visit, BLADE — the premium home beer tap — offers a plug-and-pour system that guarantees pub-quality pints.
Designed to chill and serve popular lagers at the optimal temperature of 2 degrees celsius, each keg serves up 14 pints, at a price of £1.84 per tipple.
If your local watering hole can offer a more competitive rate, then you should definitely think about adding your landlord to your Christmas card list.
3) Cruzcampo: Light, Mildly Fruity, and Ideal for Long Evenings
Cruzcampo, the Andalusian favourite, has surged up the nation’s rankings thanks to its ultra-easy, refreshing profile. It’s one of those popular lagers you can sip all night without feeling overwhelmed. Flavourful, yes, but feather-light compared to many continental beers.
Calories & Carbs
Cruzcampo (4.4% ABV) lands at roughly:
- 218 calories per pint
- Around 19g of carbs
That places it right alongside Birra Morreti in the punchy, yet still macro-friendly, category, making it a great pick if you want a festive pint that isn’t a calorie bomb.
At-Home Pour: £100 Off Starter Packs
Like Birra Moretti, Cruzcampo also features in Beerwulf’s December offer:
- £100 off Cruzcampo BLADE Starter Packs.
You get the same setup — a BLADE machine, an 8L keg, and a dome — making it easier than ever to pour pub-quality pints without leaving home.
All of Beerwulf’s BLADE machines come complete with a 2 year warranty and free delivery and returns within 30 days of purchase.
The Final Toast
This Christmas, you don’t need to compromise between celebration and staying vaguely on track with your macros.
These three popular lagers — Amstel, Birra Moretti, and Cruzcampo — offer flavour, balance, and calorie counts that won’t send your festive totals spiralling.
Like most of life’s treats, they’re perfectly reasonable when enjoyed in moderation.
And if you’re ready to upgrade your home bar, Beerwulf’s limited-time offers make it easier than ever. Beyond the above deals, their discounted starter packs also extend to other favourites including Heineken, Puntigamer, and more.
So whether you’re hosting the big day, planning a Boxing Day movie marathon, or gearing up for a New Year’s toast, you can keep the good times flowing — without jeopardising your gains.
You don’t need to a discount code to net Beerwulf’s deals on popular lagers, simply shop through our bespoke link.
Cheers to a lighter, crisper Christmas pint.
SEE ALSO: Amstel Beer Calories & Christmas Celebrations: What to Know Before You Toast
