I got the 12-pack for $13 (on sale), which is why I decided to buy it. Leffe (which is one of my favorites) sells for $9/6-pack at my nearby grocery store. They're normally pricey, though...but convenient. I stopped drinking it after I saw it was 200 calories a bottle because I didn't like the belly that I was starting to get. I got some to treat myself, but I've started down the path of light beer until I get myself exercising more again.
Adam, there is more than one way to skin a cat. The biggest reason why the Leffe has more calories is because it has more alcohol in it. So if you drink the same number of bottles any given night, yes you'll imbibe more calories. If however you drink based on alcohol consumption, there may be a much smaller difference than you think. I haven't calculated abv/calories for you, but that's easy enough to find.
So if you are the type that drinks the "same amount of beers", I will say that while Amstel Light isn't particularly delicious, it's not bad when you consider it has only 99 calories. How did they get away with that? A very low 3.5% abv. I just saw that while looking up something else.
When I bring some beers when visiting someone (and I'm the driver), I tend towards the lowest abv beers I have in stock, and that is usually Anchor Steam (there is a place near me where I get it at $6-7, but unfortunately it's usually considerably more for many others); 153 calories, 4.9%.
If you like Asahi, the best Japanese beer I ever drank was their Asahi Select. I've tasted it side by side with some Liberty Ale, and I no longer buy the latter after that experience, so I think that might say something. Er, well maybe not, I'm really not a connoisseur. In any case, I haven't had either in a while.
OTOH, if you're the type that drinks the "same amount of booze", you might look into trying out a few cocktails. You will need a Boston shaker (do not, I repeat do not buy a cobbler, but if you already have it, then fine), and strainer (the Oxo one is good, but really they all work fine).
Try this one, a Sidecar. Find a good cognac (I found some extremely smooth XO for $35, but someone told me there is some $20 XO to be had on sale, haven't checked it out). It doesn't have to be top shelf or XO, but quality does make a difference, and anyway, whatever you're comfortable with. Then a bottle of Cointreau (don't buy any other triple sec imitation, stick with the OG, don't go brandy based either like Marnier). So 2:1 cognac:cointreau, say 1.5oz/.75oz. Half a lemon's worth of juice. A small touch of sugar (people use simple syrup, but I find it a pain; confectioner's sugar is easiest as it dissolves immediately, and I have some in a small spice jar for easiest use). By small, I mean tiny, but really just do it to personal taste. Using the highest* figures I found on the net, but not including the sugar, this is 182 calories. (edit: the amount of ice and shaking will come with experience; the dilution is key btw, not just the cooling; "standard" is glass full of ice, aiming for quarter melt, but I hate throwing away all that ice, so use like quarter glass, near complete melt.)
It is a refreshing drink, an old American classic, New Orleans sour to be specific, and is the granddaddy to a number of drinks, including the ubiquitous Margarita.
So speaking of, to make the above a Margarita instead, use same proportions, use a clear plata 100% agave tequila, again only Cointreau (imo), and def not brandy based like the "Cadillac", and with that half lemon, add half a lime too. Or a whole lime, it depends on taste, and the particular fruit (freshness/type gives highly varying amounts of juice). Instead of sugar, you can replace with a touch of clear agave nectar (dark nectar settles and ruins the look). The drink will come out like a semi cloudy white. The way it should be, IMO. A side note, while there are a few that are alright, best to stay away from "mixto" tequilas; I believe those only require 51% agave, the rest of the 49% can be any mystery hangover hell type of booze. I got some Regional brand plata, 100% for only about $13-14 after some coupons I found. Ain't the very best in the world, but it's still better than almost any Margarita that I can find in most any restaurant. Calories are almost identical, add say 5(?) calories more for the half lime.
Cheers.
p.s. oh an easy garnish if you wanted one is to use a vegetable peeler and slice off a nice side of lime or lemon peel. You can also take this peel, and right above the glass, squeeze/shoot the skin's oils right through a flame directly into the drink, using match or lighter, and it will give you a nice subtle sumthin sumthin, as well as changing the bouquet. Also makes for a nice lil show if you're entertaining. Throw in the peel. The more a fruit has been handled, the less oils it probably will have remaining, btw. Oh yes, also, before squeezing the juice from the citrus, rub the fruit around the circumference of the rim, it will provide a nice citrus element, this will be less subtle. Forget salt, I don't understand what is up with that. Then again, I don't understand a lot of margaritas. If both the sidecar and margarita above somehow turn out to be the greatest things you've ever tasted in your life, you can graduate on to the Corpse Reviver family, I think #2 is the bomb, but the products start multiplying.
