Peter Morrell discovers a beer with a characteristic that most drinkers ignore

When I buy a beer, I look at its style and the alcohol content, and that’s about it. One thing I never consider is the number of calories in the beer, I just assume that all beers have got lots of calories, but I was wrong.

DrinkWell, the specialist retailer of the UK’s most exciting collection of low-calorie alcoholic drinks has launched its own IPA to spearhead its lower calorie and carbs beer portfolio.

DrinkWell IPA is a classically brewed IPA at 4.1% ABV which contains 99 calories and 3g carbohydrates per 330ml bottle. It is also suitable for people on gluten-free and vegan diets.

Tom Bell, Founder & MD of DrinkWell commented “We are seeing an increasing consumer shift towards different dietary needs and healthier lifestyles but that doesn’t mean that craft beer lovers have to sacrifice taste. DrinkWell IPA is brewed In Britain to give a full flavoured beer that can be enjoyed by everyone, including those looking to consume fewer calories and fewer carbohydrates.”

“DrinkWell is the retail home of reduced calorie drinks with a growing product range featuring beer, wine, cider, spirits and hard seltzers” continued Bell. “A growing number of consumers are taking more notice of their food and drink consumption in pursuit of healthier life choices, and we wanted to use our knowledge in this category to create a full flavour and great tasting IPA that could be enjoyed by those seeking out a lower calorie beer.”

I have tasted the DrinkWell IPA and would never have guessed that it contains over 35% fewer calories than other IPAs. The beer pours a golden yellow colour and has malt and citrus aromas in the bouquet. As it moves to the palate it has a good mouthfeel and the aromas on the nose are joined by grapefruit and tropical flavours. There is a good balance of background bitterness making it an excellent match for curries and Thai food. The clean finish has a persistent malty taste. Overall, this is a beer with precise flavours and a fresh, uplifting character with the added bonus of supporting a healthy lifestyle.

A combination of the 4.1% ABV and a reduced amount of carbonisation makes this a very sessionable beer, ideal for the upcoming social events we will all be enjoying over the summer.

Brewed with Zeus and Apollo hops, DrinkWell IPA is the first IPA with reduced calorie and carb content ever produced in the UK. The bottle label features the Greek god Heracles, the son of Zeus and, arguably, the greatest of all Greek Gods famed for completing a cycle of 12 heroic labours.

“In Greek mythology Zeus was the father of Apollo and Heracles, so our choice of hops has not only crafted a classic beer, but we have also brought the family together through DrinkWell IPA” said Tom. “Our pioneering brewing process converts dextrins into fermentable sugars, reducing overall carbohydrate and sugar content, with DrinkWell IPA containing over 35% fewer calories than other IPA’s, whilst maintaining a satisfying ABV.”

Research shows that 80% of the public is unaware of the calorie content of common drinks and many typically underestimate the true content. The government’s proposed consultation on calorie labelling as part of a strategy to tackle obesity highlights the importance of providing clear nutritional information that enables consumers to make an informed choice about their drinks. The introduction of DrinkWell IPA to the market is a clear intention of supporting drinkers who enjoy a great tasting IPA but who are conscious of their calorie, carb or sugar consumption or are following a vegan or gluten free diet.

DrinkWell IPA contains 99 calories, 3g carbohydrates and 1.5g sugar and was recently named in the IndyBest list of best gluten free beers. It is available in 330ml bottles which can be ordered online from www.drinkwelluk.com

For more information go to www.drinkwelluk.com