The Top Picks for Light Beers

Beer drinkers will all agree that a person's choice for the best light beer is subjective. One person's manna might be another person's idea of hop-flavored water. With this in mind, these are my picks for best light beers.

When choosing a light beer, I look for drinkability (smoothness), calories, price, carb count, and overall taste. I am not a fan of strong hops, but I do want to be able to taste them and pick out which hops were used.

Hands down, Amstel Light is my favorite light beer. The flavor is mildly hoppy and incredibly smooth. With five total carbs and 95 calories per bottle, this is a popular choice with those watching their waistlines. Amstel Light is not cheap, it typically costs $13 per 12-pack, but its well worth the price.

For a taste of Mexican, a Corona Light is a nice choice. The beer itself goes down smooth, make sure you add the wedge of lime or lemon, and is satisfying on a hot summer's day. Corona Light contains 105 calories and five carbs per bottle, so it is better than some other choices. Expect to pay about $12 per 12-pack.

Bud Light is one of America's favorite light beers. It does go down smooth, but the strength of the hops is very weak. Priced at $13 for an 18-pack in most local stores, the price is right. One bottle of Bud Light contains 110 calories and 6.6 carbs, so it isn't a great choice for dieters. I can't stomach Bud Light in cans, the metallic taste comes through, but from a bottle or on draft it isn't bad.

Sam Adams Light is a strong contender in the light beer category. One bottle contains almost 10 grams of carbs and 124 calories. Many beer drinkers choose this as their favorite light beer. Sam Adams Light is very malty and sweet. If you enjoy strong malt tones, Sam Adams Light is the beer for you.

Those in the New York and Pennsylvania areas usually have access to Yuengling Light. Yuengling is America's oldest brewery, and they turn out some delicious beers. Thick foam, mild hops, and clean grains make their beer stand out. If you are lucky enough to find it in your area, Yuengling (pronounced Ying-Ling) costs around $14 per 12-pack.

When money is tight, I tend to fall back on Miller High Life Light as an inexpensive light beer choice. You can normally pick up a 30 pack of Miller High Life Light for $14 on sale in area grocery stores. Miller High Life Light contains mild hop flavors and a crisp finish. It isn't the greatest light beer on the market, but it certainly ranks higher than many others for taste.

Another winner for me is Molson Canadian Light. It is not easy to find in every store, but if you can find it, it's a good choice. With 82 calories per bottle, the beer is acceptable for dieters. If you can find it, plan to shell out about $12 per 12-pack. The flavor is crisp and clean with just a subtle dose of hops.

Any beer drinker will has his or her favorites. Beers are also going to be dependent on the area. When it comes to beer, there is no reason to avoid trying it once to see if you enjoy it. That's what makes beer drinking so much fun!