Finding the Best Non-Alcoholic Beers
Non-alcoholic beer has exploded in popularity as part of the larger trend toward health-conscious drinking. With great flavors and none of the downsides of alcohol, the best non-alcoholic beers offer the perfect choice for any occasion.
The Rise of Non-Alcoholic Beer
Also termed NA beer, non-alcoholic beer by definition contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). While NA beer has existed for decades, advancements in brewing have enabled huge leaps in taste, quality and variety.
Global sales of non-alcoholic beer have skyrocketed in recent years, rising over 30% from 2016 to 2021. Both independent and major brewers have rushed to release incredible NA beers catering to changing consumer preferences.
Health-minded beer lovers now have their pick of full-flavored non-alcoholic options removing reasons to avoid beer. Discovering the best non-alcoholic beers amid the crowd allows you to reap these benefits guilt-free.
Benefits of Non-Alcoholic Beer
Drinking non-alcoholic beer provides several advantages:
- Get real beer taste and satisfaction without alcohol or intoxication
- Far fewer calories than regular beer, averaging 50-70 per serving
- No impairment or loss of mental sharpness from alcohol
- Safer for situations like driving, athletics, or operating machinery
- Suitable for health conditions, pregnancy, and medications where alcohol is contraindicated
- Guilt-free enjoyment any time of day
The best non-alcoholic beers allow you to enjoy the many positives of beer while avoiding pitfalls of alcohol, making them a game-changer for health-focused lifestyles.
Characteristics of the Best Non-Alcoholic Beers
With so many NA beer options now available, what qualities should you look for to determine the cream of the crop? Here are key traits that set the best booze-free brews apart:
Accurate Flavors
The very best non-alcoholic beers taste extremely close to their alcoholic counterparts. They present aromas, flavors, bitterness, and mouthfeel that accurately mimic the real thing through meticulous brewing.
Full-Bodied Texture
Thin, watery beer is undesirable whether it contains alcohol or not. Top non-alcoholic beers feature a full, smooth, and sometimes even creamy body similar to the styles they represent.
Balanced Sweetness
Since alcohol contributes bitterness and dryness to beer, its absence can make NA beer taste cloyingly sweet if unbalanced. The best non-alcoholic brews contain just enough residual sweetness for flavor without going overboard.
Minimal Aftertaste
Lower quality non-alcoholic beers may leave a strange lingering aftertaste. Excellent NA beers have a clean, crisp finish with no unpleasant lingering flavors.
Wide Variety of Styles
The very best non-alcoholic brands offer diverse selections mimicking popular craft beer styles. They move beyond just light lagers to widely appealing choices like IPAs, stouts, wheat beers and more.
The Top Non-Alcoholic Beer Brands
Which breweries currently lead the way in non-alcoholic beer innovation? These brands consistently earn rave reviews for their alcohol-free brews that satisfy real beer cravings.
Athletic Brewing Company
Founded by lifelong athletes committed to great tasting non-alcoholic craft beer, Athletic Brewing has deservedly dominated best-of lists. Standouts like their Upside Dawn Golden Ale and Run Wild IPA boast impressively accurate flavor.
WellBeing Brewing
This craft brewery exclusively makes non-alcoholic beers ranging from Victory Wheat to Intrepid Traveler Coffee Cream Stout. WellBeing helped pioneer the full-flavored NA beer segment.
Untitled Art
Specializing in hazy IPAs, Untitled Art brews fruited and unfruited NA hits like Juicy Mavs and Daydream. Their offerings satisfy hop heads seeking booze-free IPA flavors.
Bravus Brewing Company
Bravus has earned acclaim for their intact hop aromas in brews like their iconic Oatmeal Stout. They aim to "free the drinker, not the drink" through non-alcoholic innovation.
Brooklyn Brewery
The respected Brooklyn Brewery made waves entering the NA beer segment in 2020 with the release of Special Effects, their first non-alcoholic hoppy lager.
Choosing the Best Non-Alcoholic Beer
With the category more popular than ever, the selection of non-alcoholic beers on the market keeps expanding. Here are some tips for picking winners to satisfy your personal tastes:
Check Ratings Sites
Reviews on sites like RateBeer and Untappd can help surface top-rated non-alcoholic beers based on flavor and quality. Sort by style for ones you'll likely enjoy.
Sample Variety Packs
Many leading NA beer brands offer variety packs letting you sample several different brews to determine preferences. It's an affordable way to find favorites.
Ask for Recommendations
Talk to bartenders, beer store employees, and friends who enjoy non-alcoholic beer for ideas on the most accurate and delicious options.
Start With Your Go-To Styles
If you generally like hoppy IPAs or roasty stouts, try those styles first in non-alcoholic form for the most familiar experience.
Give New Styles a Shot
Take the opportunity to expand horizons by experimenting with NA beer styles you may not normally try like sours, pilsners, or fruit-flavored wheat beers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Non-Alcoholic Beer
Is non-alcoholic beer entirely alcohol-free?
No, by legal definition non-alcoholic beer contains under 0.5% alcohol by volume. But this trace alcohol content is negligible.
Does non-alcoholic beer taste as good as regular beer?
The very best modern non-alcoholic beers come extremely close in flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel to alcoholic beers. Advances in brewing enable accurate flavor replication.
Are there health benefits to non-alcoholic beer?
Non-alcoholic beer contains less calories than regular beer and eliminates alcohol-related health risks. But it doesn't offer additional nutritional benefits beyond that.
How is alcohol removed from non-alcoholic beer?
Common techniques include reverse osmosis filtration, arrested fermentation, and vacuum distillation. These advanced methods remove alcohol while preserving flavor.
How long has NA beer been around?
Primitive non-alcoholic beers existed in the late 1800s, but modern commercial NA beers first emerged in the 1980s. Quality and variety have expanded dramatically in recent years.
Satisfying Beer Cravings Without Alcohol
The impressive innovation happening in the non-alcoholic beer segment makes this an extremely exciting time for beer lovers seeking to cut back on alcohol intake. Thanks to pioneers like Athletic Brewing Company, the choices for flavorful booze-free beer continue to grow.
Seeking out ratings and recommendations makes it easy to discover new non-alcoholic beers that scratch that flavor itch without any buzz. With the rise of incredible NA brews, you never need to miss out on beer's enjoyment and refreshment again.
FAQs
What alcohol content is allowed in non-alcoholic beer?
By legal definition, non-alcoholic beer contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Do non-alcoholic beers expire or go bad?
Yes, non-alcoholic beer should be consumed before the expiration date printed on the bottle or can. Unopened, it will typically last 9 months before going bad.
Where are the best places to buy non-alcoholic beer?
Non-alcoholic beer is sold at grocery stores, convenience stores, beer/liquor stores, bars, and restaurants. Many gas stations and drug stores also carry a selection.
What are some popular non-alcoholic beer styles?
Common styles of non-alcoholic beer include IPAs, pale ales, wheat beers, stouts, lagers, and more. There are booze-free options for most beer styles.
Do you need to be 21 to buy non-alcoholic beer?
No, there is no minimum age to purchase non-alcoholic beer since it contains negligible alcohol similar to O’Doul’s. Anyone can buy it where it is sold.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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