It wasn’t that long ago that putting the words “good” and “non-alcoholic beer” in the same sentence brought snorts of derision from anyone in earshot. It just wasn’t possible. What NA beer there was on the market was terrible watered-down slop that almost instantly disappointed anyone that tried it.
As someone who worked in the beer industry for almost a decade and has reported on it since I left, I agreed wholeheartedly with the scorn showered down upon those dusty bottles of out of date NA beer sitting forlornly on grocery and bar shelves. It just was terrible stuff. When someone would ask for a suggestion, I would recommend a glass of water. It would offer less heartbreak.
All of that began to change a few years ago when I lived in Lyon, France, for two years. Suddenly, I noticed numerous NA offerings in bars, restaurants, and on my local market shelves, and they were selling consistently. Intrigued, I brought home a few of them and was blown away by what I was drinking. It was full-flavored and good.
Well, I soon discovered that I was on the lip of a trend that was about to wash over the United States. The embrace of low to non-alcoholic beverages as more people than ever, especially Millennials, search them out. According to this article in the Washington Post, the number of alcohol drinkers worldwide has decreased by almost five percent since 2000.
Events like Dry January and Sober October, along with a blitz of other sipping alternatives, have only increased consumer awareness.
That has led to a sizeable infusion of NA beers into the market in the last few years. The splashy debut of Heineken 0.0 in 2019 with market-wide infiltration and widespread marketing led the way. But let’s be honest here. There still are some pretty crappy NA beers out there. Many in bright packages promising that they will blow your mind, that you won’t believe what you are sipping.
MORE FOR YOU
To help, I decided to do something that would have been unconscionable just a few years ago. I taste-tested over three dozen NA beers to find the best. Here are seven of the best all with alcohol levels below the .05% alcohol by volume (ABV), the common definition of an NA beer.
Weihenstephaner Brewing’s NA Heffeweiss
Weihenstephaner Brewing
Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier
Located just outside of Munich, the brewers at Weihenstephaner turn out some of the most refined old-world style Weiss beers you can find. That’s because they are one of the oldest breweries on the planet; they have been at it since 1040. Their NA Hefeweizen is packed with banana and clove flavors with a slight hint of hops. Perfectly refreshing, it will make you look at the bottle twice to make sure you did not grab the wrong beer.
Ceria Brewing Company’s Grainwave
Ceria Brewing Co
Ceria Grainwave
It’s safe to say that Keith Villa knows something about brewing Belgium style beers. As the creator of Blue Moon, he singlehandedly helped introduce an entire generation to the style. His newest passion is to create some of the best NA beers in the world. Grainwave, one of his first offerings, is a golden ale brewed with Belgium hops with orange flavors that make each sip a pleasure. He certainly is on his way there.
Bravus Oatmeal Stout
Bravus Brewing’s Oatmeal Stout
Bravus Brewing Company
This award-winning craft brewery located in Santa Ana focuses solely on one thing, creating memorable NA beer. Their Oatmeal Stout has accomplished something previously deemed impossible, making a full-flavored stout with less than .05% ABV. Hints of chocolate, caramel, and roasted coffee smoothly merge with each sip.
Brewdog Brewing’s Hazy AF
Brewdog Brewing
Brew Dog Hazy AF
As one of the original hell raisers of the craft beer industry, they once sold the world’s strongest beer packaged inside dead stoats, squirrels, and rabbits; it only makes sense that Scottish beer-makers Brew Dog would once again challenge convention by creating a head-turning NA beer. It asserts itself the moment you crack a can. Citrus scents rush forth, and each taste is a cornucopia of the piney and resin flavors found in full strength hazy IPA’s.
Athletic Run Wild IPA
Athletic Brewing Company’s Run Wild
Athletic Brewing Company
It seems that everywhere you turn these days, there are stories about Athletic Brewing Co. Justifiably so too. This three-year-old NA only brewery based in Connecticut has a full lineup of fantastic beers. But this IPA is their crowning achievement. It’s packed with flavors since five different hops were are used during the brewing process. You will find yourself consistently surprised with each sip.
WellBeing Brewing Company’s Victory Wheat
WellBeing Brewing Company
Wellbeing Victory Wheat
Packaged in a sixteen-ounce-can, this citrus wheat is billed as the first NA beer enriched with a full spectrum of all-natural electrolytes, hence the label’s moniker-sports brew. Whatever, it’s a great NA beer to sip on. Its light citrus flavor hits your taste buds the moment you put it to your lips. Hints of orange flavors are prevalent throughout, and you will quickly find the can empty.
Heineken Brewing Company’s 0.0
Heineken Brewing Company
Heineken 0.0
First brewed in the Netherland in 2017, this beer has rapidly spread across the globe. It’s the perfect beer to grab when you hang out with a few friends, and you need to keep a clear head. It has the same famous skunkiness that classic Heineken’s are known for and offers a crisp, refreshing flavor profile.