Do Coffee Beers and Others Really Have Caffeine?

Learning to homebrew

In order to contain caffeine, beer would have to have it added directly or contain some other ingredient that is naturally caffeinated.

Traditionally, beer is brewed with just water, grain, and hops - none of which contain any caffeine.

First, let's get one thing out of the way.

Of course, caffeinated malt beverages like 4 Loko do exist and they are heavily marketed for their caffeine content.

But what about 'real' beers?

So, what kind of beers DO contain caffeine?

Coffee beers, chocolate beers, and tea-infused beers will all include at least a tiny amount of caffeine - but not much.

Although it isn't normally listed, even coffee beers probably only have around 50 mg of caffeine per 12 ounce bottle at the most.

So a coffee beer probably won't keep you up at night unless you drink several or you are sensitive to caffeine.

For reference, the average cup of coffee has between 70-140mg of caffeine in an 8 ounce portion.

Keep in mind that mixing large amounts of caffeine and alcohol has been found to be dangerous for your heart.

So, enjoy in moderation!