Brewing Methods Behind Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer

A Look at the Innovative Brewing Methods Behind Non-Alcoholic Beer

The non-alcoholic beer market has exploded in recent years, with sales growing steadily as more consumers seek out great-tasting beverages without the alcohol. Leading the way in innovative brewing techniques for NA beer are smaller craft breweries focusing on flavorful, quality ingredients. One such company is Alternative Medicine Brewing, based in Atlanta, GA.

The Beginnings of Alternative Medicine Brewing

Founded in 2019 by Dogfish Head brewmaster Sam Calagione, Alternative Medicine Brewing was launched as an offshoot brand specifically to create non-alcoholic craft brews. Calagione had previous success with his 2016 creation of SeaQuench Ale, a session sour mashup beer. However, he saw even greater potential in the growing NA beer market and the opportunity to utilize creative methods to brew flavorful beers without alcohol.

The name Alternative Medicine Brewing was chosen to reflect their mission of providing an alternative to alcoholic beverages using innovative brewing techniques. The company values creativity and pushing boundaries when it comes to brewing NA beer.

Brewing Methods for Non-Alcoholic Beer

While traditional beer is brewed by fermenting malted grains like barley and wheat with yeast, non-alcoholic beer requires additional steps to remove the alcohol either before or after the fermentation process. Some of the methods used by Alternative Medicine Brewing include:

Vacuum Distillation

This involves heating regular beer in a vacuum to evaporate the alcohol. While effective at removing alcohol, distillation can also remove flavor and aroma compounds, so brewers must be careful.

Reverse Osmosis

Passing beer through a filter membrane can filter out the alcohol at a molecular level while retaining more flavor. This works best on lower alcohol beers.

Limited Fermentation

By limiting the fermentation time, brewers can stop it before alcohol levels get too high. This requires precise timing and calculations.

Special Yeasts

Using genetically modified yeast strains that cannot consume maltose allows fermentation to occur without alcohol production. This provides natural flavor.

In addition to these techniques, Alternative Medicine utilizes other innovative methods like dry-hopping, blending of barrel-aged beers, and adding fruit juices to create complex and unique NA brews.

Alternative Medicine's Non-Alcoholic Craft Beers

Here are some of the popular non-alcoholic beers currently brewed by Alternative Medicine:

Daytime IPA

This award-winning NA IPA uses lemon peel and lemon juice added at the end of brewing to impart citrusy hop flavor reminiscent of a hazy New England IPA.

Negative Space

With an amber color and rich malt profile, this non-alcoholic beer features berry and citrus aromas from Galaxy hops added during the whirlpool stage after boiling.

Stress Proof

This refreshing German-style wheat beer gets its name from the stress-reducing properties of ashwagandha herb added during brewing. It has citrusy, lemongrass notes.

The Bitter End

An NA double IPA with intense hoppy bitterness and tropical fruit aromas from generous late boil additions of Citra, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops.

Benefits of Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer

The NA beers from Alternative Medicine provide the following advantages:

Full Flavor Without Alcohol

Using advanced brewing techniques and quality ingredients, they offer all the taste, aroma, and mouthfeel of alcoholic craft beer without the alcohol or intoxicating effects.

Calorie Reduction

With no alcohol, NA beer has significantly fewer calories per serving compared to regular beer. This appeals to health-conscious consumers.

Anytime Enjoyment

You can enjoy the flavor complexity of craft beer any time of day without worrying about alcohol impairment or intoxication.

Inclusivity

NA beer allows people who cannot or choose not to drink alcohol, like pregnant women, designated drivers, and those in recovery, to take part in the craft beer culture.

The Future of Non-Alcoholic Beer

As tastes, technology, and demand for NA beer continue evolving, breweries like Alternative Medicine will likely keep innovating with new styles, techniques, and beer fusions. With creative brewing methods and quality ingredients, the possibilities are endless when it comes to crafting great non-alcoholic beers.

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.