Low Calorie Beer

[DPlante]

Hello All!

I am going to stay true to my New Years resolution and try and make a low calorie beer. Has any body ever made/heard of a low calorie recipe? Thanks for all the help everyone.

Cheers

Dan

[cul8rv8]

Basically you'll need something with a low starting gravity. I would say stouts are a good way to go, or Scottish. My Scottish 60/- had a starting gravity of 1.035, final of 1.015, BeerSmith calculates 156 calories per pint.

I think the key is to make a very flavorful beer that you don't mind just having one glass at a time. Make it too light and you will still be tempted to drink more than one. 1 pint at 250 calories is still better than 2 pints at 150 calories each. That's been my experience, anyways.

[beerking]

Add preboiled water to the fermenter after secondary.

[markaberrant]

Drink a beer, and then puke it up.

[vance71975]

Basically you'll need something with a low starting gravity. I would say stouts are a good way to go, or Scottish. My Scottish 60/- had a starting gravity of 1.035, final of 1.015, BeerSmith calculates 156 calories per pint.

I think the key is to make a very flavorful beer that you don't mind just having one glass at a time. Make it too light and you will still be tempted to drink more than one. 1 pint at 250 calories is still better than 2 pints at 150 calories each. That's been my experience, anyways.

+1 But also, i have another tip that might help you create a lower calorie beer. I don't know if your an all grain brewer or Extract but this trick should work either way.

Basically this is what you do, Get your wort (if your extract) or your mash(if your all grain) up to conversion temp, 150-154, then add Amylase Enzyme, in a larger than called for amount, say double what is called for. Also add Convertsase Enzyme again in double the called for amount. Let stand for one to two hours, Bring to a boil, and proceed as normal, UNTIL your wort is cooled,Then add the recommended amount Of each a second time to your wort before pitching yeast, mix well, aerate and pitch yeast, ferment as normal. What this will do, is break down the more complex sugars, and allow for a more complete ferment, ethanol(the alcohol in beer) has far fewer calories than the sugars that would be left behind.Thus creating a lower calorie beer. Also when following this method use a very high attenuation yeast Such as WLP 550 Or similar that are in the 75-85% range. That would be the way i would go about trying it.Low starting gravity,Use Enzymes both Amylase Enzyme and Convertsase Enzyme Both before boil and right before pitching yeast, and Use a very high attenuation yeast.

Or If all that seems like as much of a hassle to you as it does to me, you can always just start drinking that miller 64 crap, lol. j/k i wouldn't drink anything any corporate brewery makes lol

Both enzymes can be bought from this site.

http://www.thegrape.net/browse.cfm/2,1316.html

If you do this, and also cut with preboiled water, you will get a lower calorie beer no doubt, but i cant promise it will taste good...

[DPlante]

This sounds great. I will try it and let you know how it comes out. Thank you for all your help.

Cheers

Dan

[markaberrant]

So you're taking me up on the drink then puke suggestion?

[DPlante]

So you're taking me up on the drink then puke suggestion?
Get a life.

[vance71975]

So you're taking me up on the drink then puke suggestion?


Lets play nice marka. just cause it isn't a beer you would want to make doesn't mean it isn't a valid question, i was under the impression that we didn't allow flaming here, even if it is very mild flaming.:(

[markaberrant]

Oh c'mon guys, I was just poking some fun. DPlante didn't say who's suggestions he was going to try...

Here's my serious response:

If I was watching calories, I'd look at making other changes to my diet/lifestyle first. If I still thought beer was the problem, I'd make lower gravity beers and/or drink less.

[vance71975]

Oh c'mon guys, I was just poking some fun. DPlante didn't say who's suggestions he was going to try...

Here's my serious response:

If I was watching calories, I'd look at making other changes to my diet/lifestyle first. If I still thought beer was the problem, I'd make lower gravity beers and/or drink less.

I know you were just having fun, but i get your sense of humor, it runs close to mine, but i dont think dplante thought it was too funny. On the other hand your serious advice is full of the normal wisdom i have come to expect from you!

[markaberrant]

I know you were just having fun, but i get your sense of humor, it runs close to mine, but i dont think dplante thought it was too funny. On the other hand your serious advice is full of the normal wisdom i have come to expect from you!

When I started homebrewing over 4 years ago, I also started drinking beer everyday. But I also started eating a lot better and excercising 3-4 times a day. The net result was 20lbs lighter and a hell of a lot healthier.

[markaberrant]

I know you were just having fun, but i get your sense of humor, it runs close to mine, but i dont think dplante thought it was too funny. On the other hand your serious advice is full of the normal wisdom i have come to expect from you!

When I started homebrewing over 4 years ago, I also started drinking beer everyday. But I also started eating a lot better and excercising 3-4 times a week. The net result was 20lbs lighter and a hell of a lot healthier.