Yuengling Traditional Lager is something of a local legend in Pennsylvania. Its amber color and enormous popularity have made Yuengling’s flagship beer synonymous with the term “lager” in its home state, where simply asking for “lager” will get you a Yuengling, no matter what else is for sale. Many Yuengling drinkers might be wondering how many carbs and calories are in this flavorsome, delicious beer. Any curious readers will find out all they need to know and more below.
A 12 fl. oz (or 355 mL) can of Yuengling Traditional has 141 calories and 12 grams of carbs. This is similar to other full-strength American lagers and in keeping with typical calorie and carb counts for the style.
Of course, as with any classic American beer, this is far from the whole story. If you want to know more about Yuengling, its ingredients, and how it fits into modern diets, read on.
How Many Calories In Yuengling (4.5% ABV)? Explained
Yuengling Traditional Lager, at 4.5% ABV, has 141 calories per 12oz can or bottle. This includes 12 grams of carbohydrates. The beer is also available in various sizes, including 16 oz cans, 24 oz cans, and even a massive 32 oz bottle. The availability of these containers varies from one part of the country to another, but we’ll sum up the nutrition information for them below.
The 16oz can of Yuengling has 188 calories, with 16 grams of carbohydrates.
The 24oz can have 282 calories, with 24 grams of carbohydrates.
The biggest serving, at 32 ounces, has 376 calories, with 32 grams of carbohydrates.
Of these, the most common size is the 12oz can, so that’s what we’ll be looking at for most of this article.
Yuengling, as an amber lager, has a calorie and carb count that is similar to most other beers of the style. While this is not quite as high as some European-style dark beers, stouts, and ales, it is also higher than a light beers or low-alcohol beverages.
The ingredients listed for Yuengling Traditional are caramel malts, cascade and cluster hops, water, and corn grits. These are standard ingredients for an American lager, with the caramel malt largely responsible for this beer’s amber color and heavier flavor. Although Yuengling tastes and feels more full-bodied than pale American lagers, it is not that much more calorific than other beers of the style and is less calorific than some major beers, like Budweiser.
How Many Calories Compared To Other American Lagers?
It’s worth comparing Yuengling Traditional to other beers of the style to see where it fits in. The first thing that springs to mind when considering the table below is how close many of the major American beers are in their calorie counts. There’s really not a huge amount of difference between 140 calories and 148, but it’s always worth knowing exactly what you’re drinking.
| Corona Extra | 148 Calories |
| Budweiser | 145 Calories |
| Busch | 114 Calories |
| Modelo Especial | 143 Calories |
| Yuengling | 141 Calories |
As you can see from the table above, Yuengling’s 141 calories is lower than that of Corona or Modelo and lower than Budweiser but more than Busch.
How Much Sugar Is In Yuengling Traditional Lager?
United States alcohol labeling regulations do not require manufacturers to list the sugar content of their beverages, so we’re not sure exactly how much sugar is in Yuengling.
However, beer is rarely high in sugar. Sweetened beers like radlers are usually sugary, but a typical lager generally has minimal sugar in it, even if it is made using sugary ingredients.
That’s because any sugar present in the ingredients is consumed and converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide during the brewing process.
Most of the calories in Yuengling come from the beer’s carbs and alcohol, which is why the beer remains relatively calorific despite having little to no sugar.
Is There Fat In Yuengling?
As with sugar, it’s safe to assume that beers like Yuengling contain zero, if any, fat. There are no fatty ingredients in the recipe for Yuengling Traditional. Besides, fats can have a negative effect on a beer’s foamy head, making the beer go flat and affecting its taste.
Calories in Yuengling Light Lager
Yuengling Light Lager is a variation of the classic traditional lager with fewer calories and lower carbs. Each 12oz serving of Yuengling Light Lager, with 4.0% ABV, contains 99 calories and 3.2g of carbs, far lower than the full-strength flagship beer.
Drinkers considering any of the diets below, like keto and low-carb, might want to look at Yuengling Light Lager as an option.
Is Yuengling Keto-Friendly/Low Carb?
The real answer to this question depends on your own personal goals and situation, but we’ll help you make an informed decision.
A low-carb diet typically restricts daily carb intake to 100-150 calories. At such a low number, Yuengling’s 12 grams of carbs could take up more than 10% of your daily carb allocation. Under the low-carb diet, a Yuengling here or there is unlikely to tip you over the limit, but this beer, as always, is best enjoyed in moderation.
The keto diet, on the other hand, is a different beast entirely. Keto diets are extremely low-carb, with adherents instead getting the vast majority of their daily calories from protein and fats. Because beer is very low in protein and fat, the carb count in your Yuengling is very important.
The keto diet often restricts daily carb intake to as low as 20 grams or up to 50 grams. One can of Yuengling would account for more than half of the day’s carbs in the 20-gram range or more than one-fifth of the day’s carbs in the 50-gram range. In either case, Yuengling will fit into the day’s diet, but you’d have to be strict about your food intake and probably limit yourself to just one.
Is Yuengling A Healthier Beer?
On one hand, Yuengling is still brewed with natural ingredients and the pristine waters of rural Pennsylvania. From that perspective, it’s probably a healthier beer than some macrobrewed lagers containing high-fructose corn syrup and preservatives.
However, whether something is “healthy” depends on your health goals.
Yuengling Traditional is a full-strength lager, so it’s high in carbs and calories. As a result, anyone looking to cut down on either for health reasons might be better off considering an alternative beverage. Yuengling is probably healthier than many sugary soft drinks, but it’s not going to fit as easily into the keto diet as a glass of water or unsweetened black coffee.
Yuengling fans looking to make a “healthy” choice might consider Yuengling’s Light Lager.
