Busch is a very popular American lager. It is the second-biggest brand under the Anheuser-Busch brewing company, with only Budweiser ahead of Busch. This might seem curious, given that Busch bears the name of the brewing company’s legendary CEO, Adolphus Busch. Dedicated Busch drinkers may well be wondering, considering the beer’s ultra-light texture and flavor, how many calories and carbs are in this staple of the American beer drinker’s diet. If you count yourself among the number of people who want to know about Busch’s calories and carbs, read on!
Per 12 fl. oz (355 ml), Busch has 114 calories, with 6.9 grams of carbs. While this is close to other beers of the style, it is on the lower side of the American adjunct lager average.
Is that all you need to know about drinking Busch? Of course not! If you’re curious about the exact nutrition facts, ingredients, and comparison to other American adjunct lagers, please continue reading. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the information you need to make an educated choice when you reach for your next ice-cold can of Busch.
How Many Calories In Busch (4.3% ABV)? Explained
Busch has 114 calories per 12 fl. oz (or 355 mL for our metric friends) can. There are 6.9 grams of carbs, with 0.9 grams of protein, and 0 grams of fat. Busch mostly comes in a 12oz can as an economy-brand alternative to Anheuser-Busch’s flagship beer Budweiser.
Busch, as an American lager, has a fairly standard calorie count for the style. It’s lower than many of the heavier European-style beers but not as low as the deliberately low-calorie light beers that became popular in the 80s.
Busch’s ingredients are rice, barley, water, and hops. This is the standard set of ingredients for American adjunct lagers. Rice is typically omitted from other beer styles, but the “adjunct” style is defined by the inclusion of rice and other ingredients (like corn syrup). Busch and similar beers made with the same ingredients, like Budweiser, often taste relatively similar to drinkers unfamiliar with the style.
While some of Busch’s competitor brands also use hop extract rather than the hop plant itself. This is to add bitterness and change the beer’s flavor profile and carb levels. However, Anheuser-Busch remains committed to the use of real hops.
How Many Calories Compared To Other American Lagers?
When comparing it to other beers of the American adjunct lager style, the calorie and other nutrition facts are all quite similar. Busch enjoyed all over the United States of America, is produced by a major nationwide brewing company. With only 114 calories, Busch is actually one of the lowest-calorie beers compared to other beers of the style. In fact, in the table below, it is the lowest-calorie beer compared to similar beers like Budweiser and Corona.
| Corona Extra | 148 Calories |
| Pabst Blue Ribbon | 142 Calories |
| Budweiser | 145 Calories |
| Modelo Especial | 143 Calories |
| Yuengling | 130 Calories |
As you can see in the table above, Budweiser and Corona Extra have considerably more calories than Busch, with 148 and 143 calories, respectively.
How Much Sugar In Busch?
Because alcohol labeling regulations in the United States do not require manufacturers to list the sugar content of their beverages, the precise volume of sugar in your can of Busch is not listed.
Beer typically has a negligible volume of sugar. That’s because, although sugar-containing ingredients like malted barley are used in the brewing process, these sugars are turned into alcohol over the course of beer production. For that reason, beer can still have plenty of calories, despite the lower amount of sugar.
Is There Fat In Busch?
As a general rule, beer contains no fat. Some fat can appear in beer, but most beers are devoid of fat. The amount of fat in beer is usually minimal, close to zero in most cases. Busch lists 0 grams of fat in its nutrition information.
Is Busch Keto-Friendly/Low Carb?
Although the precise answer to this depends on your specific program and your own health goals, the answer is likely to be no.
As most modern drinkers become increasingly health-conscious, many wonder whether they can fit their favorite beer into their low-carb or keto diets. Busch, a popular beer, is one you might be wondering about.
Many low-carb diets restrict your carbohydrate consumption to 100-150 grams per day. Busch’s 6.9 grams of carbohydrates are not likely to tip you over the limit if you enjoy Busch in moderation.
The keto diet, on the other hand, is far more restrictive. It restricts your carb intake to as low as 20-50 grams per day. At the lower end, a single Busch could take up about 30% of your total carb allowance, leaving little room for food or sandwiches. If you’re only getting 20 grams of carbs, your 12oz can of Busch takes up plenty of your carb allowance.
It’s worth acknowledging that the bulk of the calories in beer come from carbohydrates. For that reason, beer is usually not considered within the boundaries of the keto diet. Considering that Busch is made from high-carb ingredients like barley and rice, it is usually best to avoid consuming too many Busch beers if you’re on the keto diet.
Is Busch A Healthier Beer?
The definition of a “healthy” beer varies depending on your health goals. As a full-strength lager, there are definitely lower-carb and lower-calorie beers on the market than Busch. It is worth noting that, compared to other full-carb lagers, Busch’s relatively low 114 calories has it as a lower-calorie option than most of its competitors.
If you want to restrict your calories for weight loss or maintenance reasons, Busch could be better than many sugary or highly alcoholic beverages. It is lower in calories, for example than Coca-cola. However, compared to plain water or lighter beers, it is probably best not to consider Busch “healthy” beer.
If you are looking for a low-carb option, and Busch Light is your go-to beer, you might consider a beer like Busch Light. Busch Light is Busch’s low-carb, low-calorie sibling, produced by the same breweries for a similar market. Busch Light has only 95 calories, making it definitely a lower-calorie option than full-strength Busch.
It is also always worth looking at the alcohol content of your choice of beer. You can also consider the alcohol percentage of your choice of beer. Most lagers have an alcohol content of about 5%, responsible for much of the drink’s calorie content. Busch’s ABV of 4.3% is a little lower, and lower-alcohol beer is generally best for lowering your calorie intake.
