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11 Non-Alcoholic Beers That Still Taste Good

Abstaining from alcohol doesn’t mean you have to miss out on delicious artisanal beverages. The United States is currently seeing a boom in the craft beer industry, and that includes non-alcoholic brews. 

Non-alcoholic version of Heineken 0.0 beer

There are many good reasons to lower your alcohol consumption or cut it out altogether.

Whether you’re avoiding alcohol for health reasons, religious obligations, or are serving as the designated driver; non-alcoholic beer is a tasty and satisfying option for a sober night out on the town. 

Today, major beer brands offer non-alcoholic beers that are just as good as their alcoholic counterparts. What’s more, switching to non-alcoholic beer doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your favorite style of beer.

Non-alcoholic beers come in a variety of types, ranging from IPAs to lagers, ales, and more. 

If you aren’t sure of where to start, we’re here to help. Read on for our list of the best non-alcoholic beers worth trying. 

Brooklyn Brewery, Special Effects Hoppy Amber

The Special Effects Hoppy Amber from Brooklyn Brewery is a great non-alcoholic beer option if you are in the mood for a zesty amber ale.

Brooklyn Brewery typically makes alcoholic beers, but the popular brand has put all of its brewing skills into making a delicious and sober-friendly drink with the Special Effects Hoppy Amber.

I love this non-alcoholic beer because it has the hoppy flavors I usually enjoy in a traditional beer.

The Special Effects Hoppy Amber manages to capture a fermented, hoppy taste without being heavy or unpleasant and has a yummy hint of citrus peel. This beer has an ABV of less than 0.5%. 


Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA

Athletic Brewing Company is one of the first beer brands I’ll recommend to the sober folks in my life.

The company focuses exclusively on non-alcoholic beer, and one of its best products is its award-winning Run Wild IPA. 

With an ABV below 0.5%, the Run Wild IPA is on par with any high-end craft IPA.

But unlike a traditional IPA, you can safely enjoy as much of this tasty drink as you desire.

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It’s light and flavorful with tasting notes of citrus and pine. This beer is hoppy but balanced, working equally well as a standalone beverage or as an accompaniment to your favorite meal. 


BrewDog Hazy AF

The BrewDog Hazy AF beer is the non-alcoholic hazy IPA of your dreams. This hazy IPA is juicy and tropical.

The inclusion of oats in the brewing process makes for a smooth and well-rounded beverage, and the final result is a thirst-quenching IPA with fruity, lemony flavors.

The Hazy AF is also a good choice if you’re trying to be healthy.

Normally I consider a hazy IPA an indulgence, but this drink is low gluten, vegan, only 20 calories, and has less than 0.4% ABV.  Overall, this is an awesome beer option for a fun and healthy summer day. 


Heineken 0.0 

If you want an entirely alcohol-free beer, look no further than Heineken 0.0.

With Heineken 0.0, you can enjoy the classic lager taste from the beloved Dutch brand while avoiding any alcohol consumption. 

Heineken 0.0 has a soft, well-balanced flavor with subtle fruity notes.

It tastes quite similar to the original Heineken lager, especially in regards to the citrus undertones, but it has a maltier and gentler body.

Another element of Heineken 0.0 that I appreciate is that it has no added sugars. The sweet flavor is naturally derived from the barley malt used in the brewing process. 


Rightside Brewing, Citrus Wheat

Rightside Brewing is another fantastic beer brand that focuses exclusively on non-alcoholic products.

Rightside Brewing’s Citrus Wheat beer proves that non-alcoholic beer can not only taste just as good as mainstream beer, but it can also provide innovations. 

Citrus Wheat takes a classic wheat beer and turns up the flavor with tropical and citrus fruit tasting notes.

The sweetness is subtle and natural, elevating it above other lesser-rated non-alcoholic beers. This beer is noticeably hazy, making it almost reminiscent of a hazy IPA.

It has plenty of body and can hold its own when paired with a heavy meal. 


Suntory, All Free

Suntory All Free is a light non-alcoholic beer from the Japanese company Tokyo-Musashino Brewery.

The drink is described as a “sparkling malt and hops beverage” and has exactly zero alcohol in it as well as no calories or added sugar.

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This non-alcoholic beer leans more towards seltzer in terms of its body but still has a fairly complex and aromatic flavor.

The company uses high-quality hops and barley malt, so while the drink is quite light, it maintains an authentic beer taste.

Suntory All Free is ideal for a hot day when you want something refreshing that won’t weigh you down. 


Clausthaler Original 

Clausthaler is a popular non-alcoholic beer brand that has received industry accolades for its quality products.

If you want to give the brand a try, I recommend starting with the Clausthaler Original. The Clausthaler Original is a German lager that leans on the lighter side, with a malty taste and hints of lemon.

Like some of the other non-alcoholic beers on this list, Clausthaler makes its beer non-alcoholic by stopping the fermentation process early.

This technique results in a less sugary beer with a slightly bitter taste.

Clausthaler Original probably won’t be the favorite of drinkers who prefer gosés or fruity beverages (fruit lovers should try the lemon or grapefruit variety), but it will hit the spot for anyone looking for a good old fashioned light lager. 


Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Alkoholfrei

When it comes to good beer, trust the Germans. And if you are looking for a quality non-alcoholic German beer, I suggest trying Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Alkoholfrei.

The name is a mouthful for non-German speakers, but it translates to non-alcoholic wheat beer.

Weihenstephan is a reputable beer brand that has been around for hundreds of years, and its signature non-alcoholic wheat beer has won several industry awards.

This beer has all the hallmark features of a good wheat beer: tangy and yeasty with yummy hints of honey and clove.

Hefeweissbier Alkoholfrei goes best with a summer pasta dish or sorbet dessert. 


Big Drop Paradiso IPA

The United Kingdom-based Big Drop Brewing Company has made a name for itself in the non-alcoholic beverage industry, winning awards for its creative and tasty beers.

One of their best products is Paradiso Citra IPA, a citrus IPA that simply screams summer. 

I love the Paradiso beer because it rejects the overly sweet trope of lower-quality non-alcoholic IPAs.

Instead, the natural citrus tasting notes are finished off with a slight bitterness, giving it that authentic, mature flavor and body that you want from a real beer.

Paradiso Citra IPA is gluten-free and keeps the ABV below 0.05% like all Big Drop beers.

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Lagunitas Hi-Fi Hoppy Balance

If you want to indulge in a relaxing additive but want an alternative to alcoholic beer, Lagunitas Hi-Fi Hoppy Balance is a fun option.

Lagunitas Hi-Fi Sessions is a beverage brand that offers alcohol-free, cannabis-infused seltzer beverages. 

Hoppy Balance is a hops-based seltzer, giving it a similar taste to a tropical and citrusy light beer.

This beer is also infused with five milligrams of THC and five milligrams of CBD, which makes it on the lighter end in terms of intoxicant concentration. 

Lagunitas Hi-Fi Sessions are available in states where recreational marijuana is legal.

If you are abstaining from alcohol for health reasons, check with your healthcare provider to see if THC is a good choice for you before trying cannabis-infused beverages. 


Partake Radler

Partake is a non-alcoholic beer brand that makes its alcohol-free, vegan-friendly beers edgy and cool.

One of my favorite non-alcoholic summer drinks is the Radler, a combination of cold-pressed juice and non-alcoholic Blonde Lager.

The Radler is amazingly sweet, tangy, and citrusy. The curated blend of grapefruit, lemon, and orange juices goes perfectly with the sharpness of the lager.

Despite the satisfying flavor, this beer is surprisingly only 31 calories and keeps the ABV at 0.5%. I like to have mine with grilled cheese on a hot summer day. 


One Comment

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  1. Recommendations for an NA lager or red ale with low hoppy and bitter.
    Something akin to Smithwicks, Yeungling lager, Sam Adam’s red, et al
    Thanks.

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

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