All beer enthusiasts have their preferences when it comes to color, taste, and type of beer. Nowadays, you can find different light or dark beers with various aromas, alcohol content, and grain combinations.
However, there are many myths when it comes to the differences between dark beer vs. light beer. Some of them are true, but connoisseurs have debunked most of them. Let’s talk about that.
Beer Color
The first and the most striking difference between light and dark beer is visual, meaning that their colors are not the same. In general, the beer color depends on numerous factors, such as grains, roasting process, mashing, and fermentation.
Therefore, you can notice a difference in color shades when putting two dark beer brands next to each other. The same goes for light ones, no matter what type it is. Both of them have a wide range of colors. Let’s see.
You can find light beers in the following colors:
Pale straw
Straw
Pale gold
Gold
Light amber
Dark beers take up more space on the color chart, and they can be:
Medium amber
Deep amber
Amber brown
Brown
Ruby brown
Deep brown
Black
Keep in mind that you can always spot subtle variations between beer colors in the same category. For example, porters generally have a ruby brown color, but two porter brands will differ slightly. The one can have more reddish than brown color and vice versa.
Beer Type
Brewers make two different beer categories, depending on the fermentation temperature. They make ale using warm fermentation, while lager is created at a low temperature. Most people believe that ales are dark beers while lagers have a light color, but both are actually available in various colors.
For instance, you can find blond and pale ale, like Golden Ale and Double Bean Blonde. Even though dark lagers are not so typical, some liquor stores offer Smoke & Dagger Black Lager and Munich Dunkel.
Still, there are some exceptions. Porters and stouts always have brown-red to dark colors, while most sour beers, like pilsner and IPA, are available in different light shades.
Dark Beer vs. Light Beer – Alcohol Content
One of the popular misconceptions is that dark beer contains more alcohol than light beer. Thus, many people consider dark beer a decadent beverage. However, the truth is that ABV (alcohol by volume) has little to nothing with a beer color.
Always keep in mind that the beer gains its color thanks to grains, while yeast is the ingredient responsible for making alcohol. Therefore, some light beers have a high ABV.
For example, Golden Monkey reaches 9.5% ABV, while Nutty Daddy contains only slightly less alcohol, 8% ABV. That means these light beer types have twice as much alcohol as Guinness with its modest 4.2% ABV.
The alcohol content in beer
Brand
ABV value
Amstel light
3.5%
Bud Ice
5.5%
Corona extra
4.6%
Dragon stout
6.8%
Blonde bock
7.0%
Cherry stout
8.0%
Many dark beers you can find on the market contain more alcohol than light lagers. In such a case, ABV will depend on the beer type, the brewer, and the brewing process without a direct link with the beer color and its alcoholic strength.
On the other hand, a subtle refreshing taste of light beer can create the illusion that you are consuming a beverage with less alcohol. Be careful since overdoing the number of beers leads to drunkenness, whether you drink dark or light beer.
Dark Beer vs. Light Beer – Ingredients Differences
There are four main beer ingredients, including grains, yeast, hops, and water. Grains are the one that determines the difference between dark and light beer by defining beer color. Most beers contain barley, wheat, oats, or some combination thereof, but brewers also use corn, rye, and rice.
As you can expect, dark beers have a higher barley percentage than light ones, while light beers usually contain more hops. Plus, one of the brewing stages is roasting grains, which lasts shorter in light beer brewing. The more you prepare grains during this phase, the darker beer you will get, regardless of the grain combination.
Besides grains, dark and light beers differ by additional ingredients that add aroma and flavor. Thus, breweries often enhance light beer with flower or fruit flavors, while dark beers have a more intense taste with added coffee, caramel, or coffee.
Dark Beer vs. Light Beer – Flavor Distinctions
As I have already mentioned, light and dark beers differ in taste. Many beer connoisseurs often point out that light beers have a weak and flat flavor.
That is a reason most brewers enhance this beer type with flowery or fruit aromas. Plus, most bartenders serve light beers, like Corona, with a lime or lemon slice you should put in a bottle before drinking.
On the other hand, dark beers are characterized by an intense flavor that leaves an aftertaste in your mouth. For instance, many porters and stouts have nut and coffee supplements.
Dark beer can also taste roast or bitter and has a dark chocolate aroma in some cases. Plus, many craft beers have seasonal flavors like pumpkin, spicy, or ginger. Some experts claim that dark beers are more enjoyable during cold, winter months while light beers are meant for drinking in the summer.
Dark Beer vs. Light Beer – Food Pairing
If you prefer dark to light beer, you will probably enjoy it while eating food like smoked meat, pork, beef, turkey, or grilled sausages. This beer also pairs well with spicy food because it improves meals taste.
Contrary, bland food like chicken, pasta, fish, or pizza goes better with light ones. Avoid dark beer when having such a meal since it can suppress the delicate flavors of these foods.
Of course, you can enjoy both types of beer after a delicious dinner no matter what was on the menu. Plus, light beer is an excellent option in combination with snacks such as chips or popcorn.
Dark Beer vs. Light Beer – Calory Intake
Even though there is a common belief that light beers contain fewer calories, that is not true. The calorie number in a beer bottle will primarily depend on the amount of sugar, the type of beer, and the brand. Therefore, the Corona Extra contains 148 calories, while the Guinness draft has only 126 calories per 12 ounces (355 ml).
Most beers have between 99 and 150 calories. With many brands, the light version of beer differs from the regular one by only 10 or 20 calories. Gold Monkey is the most caloric, with significant 260 calories per 12 ounces (355 ml).
As you can see, the only rule is that there is no rule, and you always need to carefully read a bottle label when you are on a diet. Blindly following the rule that light beers mean fewer carbs is not helpful and can mislead you.
In general, drinking beer has a positive effect on your health, regardless of whether you prefer light or dark beer. An occasional bottle of beer reduces the risk of heart disease, kidney stones, osteoporosis, and cancer.
It is no secret that light beers are more prevalent and widespread than dark ones. One of the reasons is the similarity in the tastes of different light beer brands.
On the other hand, it is not enough to try one dark beer and decide whether you like all of them or not. Its taste spectrum is wide and can vary from entirely bitter and heavy to sweet chocolate and fruit notes.
Therefore, people who regularly enjoy dark beer are usually considered good connoisseurs of this beverage. If you can recognize the difference between porter, stout, and Belgian cream ale, you probably prefer dark beer.
At the same time, light beers are more popular among young people, and you can often find kegs with light beer at a student party or gathering at the beach. Beer experts point out that you can always drink light beer while watching a game with friends because it is refreshing and doesn’t require your full attention.
Drinking dark beer is entirely different and a bit hedonistic experience. You can enjoy its flavor complexity only when sipping it slowly. Quality dark beer, like wine, should be smelled, tasted, and drunk without haste.
Finally, you can find the beer type you like best only by trying different types, styles, and flavors. The dilemma of dark beer vs. light beer has no winner, and it all comes down to your personal preferences.
Summary
Beers can vary in many categories, including color, grain combination, alcohol content, taste, and type. In the end, a dark and light beer distinction is just that, color variation.
You can choose among various flavors, ABV, and nutritional composition, and your personal preferences will best determine which type of beer is made for you and your pleasure.
Just as you can't judge a book by its cover, you can't judge a beers strength by its color. Although many people assume that darker beers have a higher alcohol content than lighter beers, the truth is that a beer's color has nothing to do with its strength.
Dark beer is rich in flavonoids – which contain powerful antioxidants that can help protect against diseases. Stouts are also high in vitamin B, preventing the build up of certain harmful amino acids believed to cause heart problems.
Common flavours to pick up while drinking dark beers include caramel, chocolate, fudge, cream, and even quite a bitter coffee after-taste. Dark craft beers will offer an even wider range of flavours, from cherry stouts to vanilla coffee and even seasonal flavours such as pumpkin, ginger, chai, and spicy peppers.
Dark beer is one of the most famous kinds of German-style beers. Its dark color comes from roasted grains, which give it a richer and deeper flavor. It is not necessarily higher in alcohol content. Darker beers are distinguished by their notes of coffee, chocolate, and other intense flavors.
The healthiest are stouts and porters, and higher hoppy beers, such as DIPAs and Imperial IPAs, Trappist beers, and spontaneous fermented beers, such as Lambics and Gose. Trappist-style beer is probably the most famous of the Belgian beers.
What are the healthiest beers? Darker beers, such as stouts and porters, and extra hoppy beers, such as DIPAs and Imperial IPAs are the healthiest, along with Trappist beers and spontaneous fermented beers, such as Lambics and Gose.
The highest phenol concentrations are available in brews like Yuengling Light Lager, Abita Purple Haze and Left Hand Good Juju. Yuengling provides full flavor while staying light on calories.
Budweiser is a 5.0% ABV Adjunct pale lager that was introduced in 1876 by Adolphus Busch and has become one of the best selling beers in the United States.
Research from the University of Wisconsin says that "dark beer may be better for the heart because it helps to prevent blood clots." Light vs. Dark Beer: FACT: A light beer can come in a variety of colors.
And although Blue Moon has big-name financial backing (it's owned by MillerCoors), it's emblematic of a light and citrusy style of ale that's been brewed in Europe for centuries.
A pale lager (also known as a pilsner) is a very pale golden-colored beer. Others describe its color to be blonde or even light orange. Some people might even say it's bottled sunshine—we know we would, considering the sun is its namesake. Pale lagers are typically lighter in taste.
Miller Lite Beer is the original light lager beer. With a smooth, light and refreshing taste, this American-style pilsner beer has 4.2% ABV. Brewed for more taste, this light beer has a light to medium body with a hop-forward flavor, solid malt character, and a clean finish.
Modelo is a pale lager, while the Modelo Negra is a dark, delicious Munich Dunkel Lager (“dunkel” is German for “dark”). The flavors correspond as you might expect, with the Modelo having a light, crisp flavor that pairs well with cookout food and spiciness. Negra, on the other hand, is dark with more bitter notes.
Long drinks lists can be overwhelming, but if your liver got to choose, it would probably go with something brimming with hops. Yep, just like the majority of craft beer drinkers, it would probably grab an IPA.
If drinking beer is your thing, it's best to do it in moderation, not every night. While drinking beer every day may relax you during these tough times, there are some significant downsides: weight gain, poor sleep, bad gastrointestinal inflammation, and other issues that can outlast your time spent in quarantine.
Moderate alcohol use for healthy adults generally means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. Examples of one drink include: Beer: 12 fluid ounces (355 milliliters) Wine: 5 fluid ounces (148 milliliters)
After all, beer, wine and mixed drinks have all been known to cause liver damage and auto accidents when ingested in vast quantities. Whether a teen is wondering if beer is safer than liquor or a recovered alcoholic is pondering a safer option, it's important to understand that there is no difference.
If you have high blood pressure, avoid alcohol or drink alcohol only in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
For men, consuming more than 4 drinks on any day or more than 14 drinks per week. For women, consuming more than 3 drinks on any day or more than 7 drinks per week.
Whiskey reduces your blood pressure and it is against bad cholesterol and blood clots, both lower the risk of stroke or heart attack. Drinking wine, dark beer, and whiskey moderately helps to reduce the risk of heart attack.
Whether you are out with friends or in need of some rich, full flavors withy your meal, Michelob Amberbock Dark Lager is your answer. Smoothness, deep-dark color and a roasted malt taste that finishes clean are the hallmarks of this distinctive beer.
It is hard to pinpoint an exact date the term Bud Heavy was first used, but it was first defined in 2006 on Urban Dictionary as “an expression for a regular Budweiser for the hardcore kid.” But this turn of phrase isn't just used by the most fanatic frat boys; it has become relatively universal.
The original Guinness is a type of ale known as stout. It's made from a grist (grain) that includes a large amount of roasted barley, which gives it its intense burnt flavor and very dark color.
Unfortunately, no. The sterols found in your average beer — sitosterol or ergosterol — are at such low levels that even a whole-grain beer contains too little of them to have much of an impact on reducing cholesterol.
Drinking alcoholic beverages, including beer, by healthy people seems to reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Moderate alcohol use (one to two drinks per day) reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, and heart attack by approximately 30% to 50% when compared with nondrinkers.
Moderate consumption of alcohol can be good for the heart because it increases HDL cholesterol. A new study shows that drinking beer may offer benefits to the heart over those of wine and liquor, because it does not cause an increase in levels of a hom*ocysteine, a chemical associated with higher risk of heart disease.
This limited release dark lager has a light to medium body, balanced drinkability, 5.4 % ABV and surprisingly crisp, dry finish that helps make the season feel original again.
Coors Banquet beer is a traditional light lager, which uses a lot of adjuncts like corn and rice. A true Oktoberfest beer is generally classified as a Marzen, which is a medium to full body lager, made with minimal adjuncts and has a darker color than a light lager.
Containing only 95 calories and 2.6 carbs, Michelob ULTRA is a light lager brewed with the perfect balance of Herkules hops and wholesome grains, producing a light citrus aroma and a crisp, refreshing finish.
Although the name may sound French, it is actually a Belgian lager! Stella Artois, or Stella for short, brews many other beers, but they are mostly known for their self-titled lager. Stella is a great beer choice for those who enjoy lagers, and it goes with almost any meal.
Heineken is a lager style of beer so it is heavier than other types. It has more of a stronger taste to it. Heineken is a 5% ABV beer made without any additives.
A wheat beer brewed with Valencia orange peel for a subtle sweetness and bright, citrus aroma. Blue Moon® Belgian White Belgian-Style Wheat Ale is garnished with an orange slice to heighten the citrus aroma and taste.
Is Coors Banquet a lager beer? Coors Banquet is an easy-drinking, lager-style beer; the ingredient list is simple enough (water, barley malt, yeast, and hop extract), but lager-style brews use a specific type of lager yeast which lends to the overall flavor of the beer.
In 1937, Grupo Modelo began pouring more resources into the marketing of the beer, naming Corona Extra a fine quality brew to gain advantage and stand out from its rival beer in Mexico named, “Pulque”, which was a Mexican-indigenous beverage.
Coors Light is a 4.2% (US) ABV light beer brewed in Golden, Colorado; Albany, Georgia; Elkton, Virginia; Fort Worth, Texas; Irwindale, California; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was first produced in 1978 by the Coors Brewing Company.
An American bock-style lager brewed with three unique malts including roasted and caramel specialty malts. St. Louis, Missouri. This American bock-style features three unique malts that creates a beer with rich brown color with aroma notes of noble hops, caramel, red fruit and spice.
According to VinePair, Bud Light, Miller Lite, and Coors Light fall into the category known as “Lite American macro lagers.” The style tends to produce beers that are light in body and flavor, but crisp and clean, and meant to be enjoyed as cold as humanly possible.
Corona is a light and crisp pale Mexican lager that's wildly popular in the U.S. Its flavor profile is not overly complex, with sweet notes and a bit of hoppy skunkiness on the palate that places it squarely between mass-produced light American lagers and heavier, more complex beer from Europe.
Corona is the best-selling beer produced by Mexico, and the best-selling non-domestic beer in both the U.S., U.K and Australia. It is one of the five most-consumed beers in the world, available in more than 150 countries. It is a lager, and was created in 1925 to celebrate Cervecería Modelo's tenth anniversary.
Its alcohol content is 4.1% ABV while Modelo Oro comes at a distant second with 4.0% ABV. In the middle division, Corona Extra is the stronger beer. With an alcohol content of 4.5% ABV, it narrowly beats Modelo Especial, that's only 4.4% ABV strong.
Myth: Dark beers are higher in alcohol than lighter beers. Fact: They can be, but the color of a beer has nothing to do with its alcohol content. Myth: Dark beer has a harsher and stronger flavor than lighter beers. Fact: Color has no flavor.
Brewmeister Snake Venom is currently recognised as the strongest beer in the World. It is brewed in Moray from smoked, peated malt using two varieties of yeast, one beer and one Champagne. Like other ultra high strength beers it is frozen several times after the fermentation process, and the ice crystals removed.
Introduced in 1986, Yuengling produced one of the first hand-crafted draft blends to lead this style of American brewing. Black & Tan combines 60% of our popular Dark Brewed Porter and 40% of our Premium Beer to create a brew that is rich and dark in color with hints of caramel and coffee from the dark roasted malts.
Compared with standard beer, light beer contains a similar amount of vitamins and minerals but slightly fewer calories and less alcohol. This makes light beer a better option if you're deciding between the two.
Lower strength beer styles with an ABV of around 2.5% - like small beer and table beer - contain around half the amount of alcohol than most 'full strength' beer styles, but they can still raise the alcohol concentration in your blood to the point where you notice it.
Because the alcohol content contributes the majority of calories in beer, light beers are almost always lower in alcohol than their comparable full-calorie, full-strength variants on a similar style. As a reference, alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, and carbohydrates contain 4 calories per gram.
Keep in mind that even moderate alcohol use isn't risk-free. For example, even light drinkers (those who have no more than one drink a day) have a tiny, but real, increased risk of some cancers, such as esophageal cancer. And drinking and driving is never a good idea.
The highest phenol concentrations are available in brews like Yuengling Light Lager, Abita Purple Haze and Left Hand Good Juju. Yuengling provides full flavor while staying light on calories.
Anyone who drinks alcohol regularly or heavily can damage their liver. The damage can be mild, like fatty liver. Or, it can be serious, like alcoholic hepatitis and/or cirrhosis. Mild liver disease, like fatty liver can be reversed completely if a person stops drinking alcohol.
Classen's research revealed that strong Belgian beers like Hoegaarden, Westmalle Tripel, and Echt Kriekenbier have more probiotics than their weaker counterparts, according to The Telegraph. ... Drinking 'Strong Beer' Is Just As Good for Your Gut As Taking Probiotics, Study Finds (Video)
Light beers with lower alcohol content allow consumers to drink more beers in a shorter period without becoming intoxicated. Low alcohol content can also mean a less expensive beer, especially where excise is determined by alcohol content.
How many Bud Lights equal a shot? A 12 US fluid ounce beer with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 5% is equivalent to one shot of alcohol with an ABV of 40%. This is due to the equal amounts of ethanol in the volumes of the beverages.
Our Review. Corona is a light and crisp pale Mexican lager that's wildly popular in the U.S. Its flavor profile is not overly complex, with sweet notes and a bit of hoppy skunkiness on the palate that places it squarely between mass-produced light American lagers and heavier, more complex beer from Europe.
Coors Light has fewer calories — 102 per 12-ounce can, compared to 103 for Bud Light (per Greatist). However, Coors Light is higher in carbohydrates, at 5 grams compared to Bud Light's 4.6 grams. The two beers are brewed differently, with Bud Light using rice while Coors Light uses corn.
Even without binge drinking, regularly drinking too much too often can also damage the kidneys. The damage occurs more slowly. Regular heavy drinking has been found to double the risk chronic kidney disease, which does not go away over time.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drinking is considered to be in the moderate or low-risk range for women at no more than three drinks in any one day and no more than seven drinks per week. For men, it is no more than four drinks a day and no more than 14 drinks per week.
Introduction: My name is Annamae Dooley, I am a witty, quaint, lovely, clever, rich, sparkling, powerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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