Calories in Wine vs Beer - A Comparison

In the same way we are divided by tea vs coffee and cats vs dogs, we tend to have a preference between the nation’s two favourite alcoholic drinks - beer vs wine. When you think of your friends and family, chances are you know if they are a beer person or a wine person. But have you ever considered which of the two much loved drinks contains more calories?

Beer and wine have distinct differences, not just in flavour but also in nutritional values and ingredients. In this blog, we will take an informative look at the differences in calories between wine and beer.

Lifestyle White Wine Case
£59.99

Nutrition details (per 125ml)

ABV11%
Calories76
Sugars0g
Carbohydrates0g

Each bottle saves you (vs standard average*):

Calories
168.0

*Statistics based from Drinkaware 2023 and Alcohol Health Alliance 2022

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Beer vs Wine - In Calories

Calories In Wine		Calories In Beer
175ml glass of 12% ABV (average)		1 Pint of 5% ABV (average)
	133 calories		240 calories

*Averages according to NHS

Calories in Wine

According to the NHS, a standard 175ml glass of 12% ABV wine contains around 133 calories, which is equivalent to eating three jaffa cake biscuits. The type and colour of wine you choose can have a large effect on the calorie content though - Rose wine has on average around 70 - 80 calories per 100ml, white wine has 73 - 83 calories per 100ml whilst red wine tends to contain between 75 - 85 calories per 100ml.

This can be explained by the fact that red wine tends to have a higher alcohol content, and wines with a higher alcohol content will usually contain more calories than wines with a lower alcohol content.

You can read more about the calories in wine in our blog here or why not discover reduced calorie wine alternatives available on DrinkWell

Calories in Beer

On average, a pint of 5% ABV beer contains around 240 calories (current NHS estimate). Beer is made using grains and yeast, and the calorie content can vary widely depending on the type of beer you drink - lighter colour beers tend to contain less calories than their darker counterparts. This is because lighter beers have a lower alcohol content and lower ingredient density. For example, most light beers tend to have between 60 and 120 calories, whilst dark beers have between 100 and 300 calories, due to the fact they are more carbohydrate heavy.

The NHS estimates that drinking 5 pints of lager each week adds up to 44,200kcal over a year, equivalent to eating 221 doughnuts! However, the nutritional value of beer exceeds that of wine, with beer often containing protein, fiber, B vitamins, folate, and niacin.

Conclusion

Unfortunately for beer drinkers, beer does tend to come out on top when it comes to calorie content - giving some truth to the expression ‘beer belly’! On average, a pint of beer has 50% more energy content than a small glass of wine, which will cause you to pile on the pounds if not enjoyed in moderation.

It is important to remember though that this is not always the case, and calories in both wine and beer can vary widely. However, research by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre found that wine enters your bloodstream more quickly than beer - effectively making you more drunk more quickly (interesting fact).

Some Lower Calorie Options at DrinkWell

Whether you are team beer or team wine (or both) we have plenty of lower calories options available to purchase from DrinkWell. Many of our range are also vegan friendly and suitable for a gluten free diet. Below are some of our current favourites:

SkinnyBrands Premium Lager

This is a refreshingly malty premium lager, that’s full flavour, 4% ABV and only 89 calories per bottle whilst also being vegan, gluten free and kosher. Best of all, it contains 35% fewer calories than other premium lagers. You can purchase a case of 24 from the DrinkWell website for £32.95.

Rose 500

This is the lowest calorie Rose wine we have available, containing just 79 calories per 125ml glass and zero grams of sugar! Summer fruits abound in this striking delicious Rosé, giving us wonderful summer drinking vibes. This Italian wine is suitable for vegans, and you can purchase it from the DrinkWell website for £12.49 per bottle.

Tierra de Estrellas - Sauvignon Blanc

The superb team at Tierra De Estrellas have worked wonders and created a beautiful classic Chilian Savignon Blanc with less than 2g/l of residual sugar and 84 calories per 125ml glass. This superb Chilean Sauvignon Blanc combines aromas of fresh grapefruit and lime followed by flavours of juicy ripe melon on the palate, balanced by a subtle minerality and a crisp, refreshing finish. One of the best things about this wine is the price - at just £7.99 on the DrinkWell website, it offers great value for money

Il Caggio - Chianti

A classic Italian Chianti which has only 1.5g/l of residual sugar and 83 calories per 125ml glass. Sour red cherries on the palate are complemented well by leafy aromas and earthy smokines. At just £9.27 a bottle on the DrinkWell website, this is a really excellent purchase for red wine fans who are watching their calorie intake.

Buy Our Low Calorie Wine Cases