Light Beer-It's Not A Contradiction In Terms

I have often heard the term "light beer", referred to as a contradiction in terms. However, to those, like myself, who enjoy the taste of a good cold beer and are also calorie conscious, light beer is a Godsend. Many health conscious drinkers are willing to compromise a little flavor and alcoholic content for fewer calories. Although there is no disputing that light beer lacks the full-bodied flavor and heavier alcohol content of regular beer, there are a number of good tasting domestic light beers on the market, that offer an irrisistible combination of plenty of flavor, and fewer calories.

The oldest brewery in the United States, Yeungling, was established in 1829 is the second largest American owned brewery after Boston Beer Company. Yeungling offers a variety of finely crafted beers including Yeugling Light, a crisp, flavorful, lager with only 99 calories per 12 oz serving and an ABV of 3.8%. At under $6.00 per six pack at most outlets, due to the low price, and low calorie and alcohol content, Yeungling Light is one of best values available in the domestic light beer category.

Those looking for a bolder flavor in their light beer, will likely enjoy Bud Light Golden Wheat,  a slightly sweet, fruity, tasting, medium bodied beer with a hint of citrus flavor. At just 118 calories and 4.10% ABV, and a price of less than $6.50 at most outlets, Bud Light Golden Wheat, offers a bit of a European flavor, and is a refreshing alternative to traditional light beer.

A product of Dixie Brewing Company in New Orleans, Dixie Jazz Amber Light is a rich, smooth, tasting beer with a slight hint of caramel and bananna. At 92 calories and 4.0% ABV, this beer is a good choice for those who enjoy a slightly darker beer with a light flavor. Due to the fact that Dixie Brewing Company has a limited distributorship, this beer is a bit difficult to find, and a bit pricey at $10.99 per six pack at my local beer market.

My personal favorite domestic light beer, Sam Adam Light, a product of the largest American owned brewery in America, Boston Beer Company, is a semi-sweet, malty flavored beer with a hint of caramel and nutmeg, that has a bit more of a full-bodied taste than most light beers. It is a little higher in calorie content at 124 calories per 12 oz serving. Sam Adams Light is about par for the course with 4.0% ABV. However, at $7.99 per six pack at most outlets, Sam Adam Light is one of the pricier light beers on the market.

Over the last few decades, Americans have become much more health conscious, and the demand for light beers has grown significantly. With a fairly wide variety of great tasting domestic light beers on the market, beer drinkers need not sacrifice taste for lower calories and alcohol content.  How can anyone contend that "light beer is a contradiction in terms," when there are so many choices from some of the top breweries in the country. 

*could not find these products in the database so had to use photos