How Many Calories in Fat Tire Beer? Nutrition Facts and Comparison

Understanding How Many Calories Are In Fat Tire Beer

Fat Tire Amber Ale by New Belgium Brewing is a popular craft beer known for its sweet, biscuity flavor. While enjoyable, many beer drinkers wonder about the calorie and carb content of Fat Tire and how it fits into their nutritional needs.

Nutrition Facts for Fat Tire Beer

Here are the nutrition facts for a standard 12 fluid ounce serving of Fat Tire Amber Ale:

• Calories: 160
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Protein: 1.7 g
• Total Fat: 0 g

For context, typical light beers contain 100-125 calories per 12 ounce serving. So at 160 calories, Fat Tire is moderately higher in calories than light beers, but lower in calories than some higher ABV craft beers.

Ingredients in Fat Tire

What accounts for the calories and carbs in Fat Tire? Being an amber ale style beer, Fat Tire is brewed with a blend of pale, caramel, Munich and specialty malts along with Willamette, Goldings and Nugget hops. It gets much of its sweet, malty flavor from the combination of specialty malts used.

Comparing Fat Tire Calories to Other Beers

To understand how the 160 calories in a Fat Tire compares, heres how it stacks up against some other popular beer brands:

Fat Tire vs. Bud Light

Bud Light is one of the most popular light lagers, with 110 calories per 12 oz serving. So Fat Tire contains about 50 more calories than Bud Light.

Fat Tire vs. Guinness

Guinness Draught Stout has 126 calories for 12 oz serving. So Fat Tire has around 34 more calories than Guinness thanks to its higher alcohol content and more carbs from malts.

Fat Tire vs. Blue Moon

Blue Moon Belgian White Belgian-Style Wheat Beer contains 200 calories per 12 oz serving. So Blue Moon has about 40 more calories than Fat Tire, likely owing to Blue Moons higher alcohol content and unfiltered wheat used in brewing.

Fat Tire vs. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale has 175 calories per 12 oz drink. Thats only 15 more calories than Fat Tire. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale has a higher ABV at 5.6% versus 5.2% for Fat Tire.

Fat Tire vs. Heineken

Heineken Lager has 142 calories for a 12 oz serving. So Heineken contains about 18 fewer calories than Fat Tire Amber Ale. Heineken is a light lager beer made only with barley malt.

Tips for Drinking Fat Tire on a Diet

At 160 calories for 12 ounces, Fat Tire can absolutely be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. Here are some tips for imbibing Fat Tire without going overboard if watching your weight:

Practice Moderation

Stick to the standard serving size of one 12 oz beer. For reference, the calories in a single Fat Tire are similar to a small apple or a cup of air-popped popcorn. So as an occasional treat, Fat Tire can fit into most healthy eating plans without issue when consumed in moderation.

Account for the Calories

Be mindful of accounting for the 160 calories in Fat Tire Amber Ale in your daily calorie budget if tracking nutritional intake. You may need to make adjustments to other meals and snacks to accommodate the calories from alcohol.

Alternate with Low-Calorie Drinks

Alternating between Fat Tire and low-calorie light beers or liquor mixed with zero-calorie sodas or seltzers is an easy way cut overall calories. This allows you to enjoy the flavors you love while monitoring overall consumption if weight loss is a priority.

Dont Drink on an Empty Stomach

Drinking beer on an empty stomach can lead to more rapid absorption and intoxication. Have a protein-rich meal containing healthy fats first for sustained energy. This helps mitigate spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels.

Stay Hydrated

Alcohol acts as a mild diuretic, so its essential to drink plenty of water before, during and after drinking to avoid dehydration. Being well-hydrated offsets cumulative effects of alcohol, keeps energy and focus up, and minimizes chances of headaches or nausea the next day.

Health Benefits of Hops in Fat Tire

In addition to its great flavor and aroma, the hops used to brew Fat Tire Amber Ale may also impart some health advantages. These include:

Antioxidant Properties

Hops contain polyphenols that act as antioxidants in the body to combat cell damage from free radicals and reduce inflammation. These include xanthohumol and other bitter acids unique to hops.

Potential Cancer Prevention

Some research indicates the xanthohumol in hops exhibits anti-cancer effects. Animal and laboratory studies reveal inhibitory actions against certain enzymes and cell types associated with some cancers, though human clinical trials are still needed.

Antimicrobial Effects

The bitter resins in hops have demonstrated antibacterial effects against common foodborne pathogens like Listeria and E. coli. Hop extracts also appear to inhibit growth and activity of certain viruses, yeasts and molds possibly contributing to beer preservation.

Improved Sleep

Hops contain a terpene compound called myrcene, which research links to sedative effects that may aid sleep. One study found participants given myrcene extract slept longer and more soundly. However, excessive alcohol impairs sleep quality, so moderation is key.

Making Your Own Lower-Calorie Homebrew with Fat Tire Yeast

The unique Belgian yeast strain used to brew Fat Tire Amber Ale contributes considerably to its signature flavor and aroma. Homebrewers can experiment with the versatile Fat Tire yeast to make their own lower calorie beers at home. Some ideas include:

Session IPAs and Pale Ales

Fat Tire yeast complements hop-forward styles very well. Substituting extra pale malt for more caloric caramel/specialty malts allows lowering the calorie count while focusing hop characteristics.

Lighter Belgian-Style Ales

Using a higher ratio of Pilsner malt or wheat malt to replace portions of the darker Munich/caramel malts can reduce calories while retaining Belgian esters from the yeast.

Brut IPAs

Fermenting very pale, dry beers with Fat Tire yeast yields brut IPAs: extremely crisp, bubbly and light bodied with plenty of hop bitterness and minimal malt flavors or sweetness.

Sparkling Beers

By stopping fermentation early, the remaining sugars create effervescent, champagne-like beers with pleasant esters. Sparkling Belgian pale ales and saisons make flavorful low-calorie brews.

Enjoy Fat Tire Responsibly

At 160 calories per serving, Fat Tire Amber Ale from New Belgium Brewing offers a delicious, malty craft beer experience. Like any beer, practice moderation, account for the calories smartly, and supplement with plenty of water to reap the benefits of its flavor while avoiding excessive consumption. Cheers!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.