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Introduction to Non-Alcoholic Beer
Over the past few years, one of the most prominent trends in all of culture has been health and wellness. This trend has trickled over to the beverage industry, and non-alcoholic beer has become the fastest-growing category. It’s not just for Dry January, either. Customers are giving up booze, or at least greatly reducing their consumption. Their habits and social calendars haven’t necessarily changed, which provides a unique opportunity to non-alcoholic beverage brands or existing companies looking to retain these customers.
Even craft breweries, known for their boozy Double IPAs and Imperial Stouts, have recognized the need for non-alcoholic versions of their products. That is where this category is changing the most: there’s now an incredible variety of flavors and styles being brewed without alcohol. You’ll want to know a few things before you dive in for Dry January or a lifestyle shift, so we’ve covered the basics along with a few brands worth checking out.
Here’s everything you need to know about non-alcoholic beer:
What Is Non-Alcoholic Beer?
Non-alcoholic beer is typically defined as beers brewed with an ABV below ≤0.5%. There are legal definitions that need to be distinguished on labels, as the industry’s regulation is particularly thorny about alcohol content.
How It’s Made
Non-alcoholic beer is made with the same ingredients and similar processes as regular beer. Water, malt, hops, and yeast are all used to make this delicious (and alcoholic) product. What happens next determines a lot, as the key difference lies in how the alcohol is removed or reduced.
- Restricted fermentation is when the process is halted early, so the yeast stops fermenting the sugars, and minimal alcohol forms.
- Vacuum distillation removes alcohol by heating the beer at a lower boiling point.
- Reverse osmosis can be used to filter out alcohol and water, then blend water back in.
After the alcohol removal, carbonation and flavor adjustments are often made. Even with lower (or practically nonexistent) alcohol levels, craft brewers strive to retain traditional beer flavors and characteristics like body through careful control of alcohol-removal techniques.
Is It Really Alcohol-Free?
The short answer is not always. The vast majority of “non-alcoholic” beers still contain trace amounts of alcohol, and the most common you’ll find on labels is up to 0.5% ABV. There are true alcohol-free beers out there, which will be labeled as 0.0% ABV. These simply go through more thorough alcohol removal processes or are even brewed without fermentation. Always check the label!
- “Non-alcoholic” often means ≤0.5% ABV, so it’s technically not completely free of alcohol.
- “Alcohol-free” or “0.0%” means no detectable alcohol.
What to Look for in a Great Non-Alcoholic Beer
When shopping for non-alcoholic beer, consider the following:
- Authentic beer flavor: Craft brewers and legacy breweries are putting more effort into their non-alcoholic options, mirroring the flavors that most drinkers seek out.
- Balanced hops/malt: Unless you’re looking for a hazy IPA or Stout, most nonalcoholic beers will look for smoother drinking experiences.
- Clean mouthfeel: The most commonly produced nonalcoholic beer is lager because of the style’s crisp and refreshing qualities.
- No chemical aftertaste: Before the craft brewing revolution, most non-alcoholic beer had a metallic or unnatural aftertaste. Now, more care and advanced techniques are taken in brewing this product.
- Proper carbonation: In order for the beers to be drinkable, smaller carbonation bubbles are ideal.
- ABV preference: 0.0% or ≤0.5% ABV, depending on preference and what’s available.
Style Matters
It’s important to know that there are certain beer styles that tend to fare better when the alcohol is removed or fermentation doesn’t happen. IPAs, wheat beers, and dark ales often hold up better than light lagers, despite the latter being incredibly popular. Fortunately, thousands of local craft breweries have started making nonalcoholic versions of their favorite styles. There’s never been more variety available!
Nutrition Matters
For many consumers, cutting out alcohol often comes hand-in-hand with other health considerations like calorie consciousness and gluten reduction. Expect many NA options to list calories, carbs, and whether it’s vegan or gluten-free.
The Best Non-Alcoholic Beers in 2025
1. Athletic Brewing Co. – Run Wild IPA
- Style: Non-Alcoholic IPA
- ABV: <0.5%
- Tasting Notes: Expect citrus aromas and lovely grapefruit flavors from this hop bomb. The malt sweetness is balanced out by a lovely, clean, bitter finish.
- Why It’s Great: The classic West Coast IPA now comes in a stylish can without the booze!
- Best For: For IPA fans, this is the ideal post-workout refreshment
2. Blue Moon Non-Alcoholic
- Style: Non-Alcoholic Wheat Beer
- ABV: <0.5%
- Tasting Notes: The beautiful citrus notes from the Valencia orange peel and spiciness from coriander (hallmarks of the original) are all present and perfectly balanced with the pillowy sweetness from the wheat.
- Why It’s Great: If you’re nostalgic for the early days of craft beer but no longer drink, this version of Blue Moon will take you back.
- Best For: Hanging at the beach or on a boat.
3. Athletic Brewing Free Wave Non-Alcoholic Hazy IPA
- Style: Non-Alcoholic New England Style IPA
- ABV: <0.5%
- Tasting Notes: This hazy IPA’s hop profile includes Amarillo, Citra, and Mosaic, so you can expect a medley of grapefruit and orange peel along with a slight sweetness.
- Why It’s Great: While your friends are drinking cloudy IPAs (and possibly regretting it the next morning), you’ll be enjoying all the same flavors.
- Best For: Barbecues or even date night at the bar.
4. Guinness 0.0 Non-Alcoholic Draught
- Style: Non-Alcoholic New England Style IPA
- ABV: <0.5%
- Tasting Notes: Everything you expect from a classic Guinness Draught, you’ll find in Guinness 0. Malty sweetness, a creamy mouthfeel, pronounced chocolate flavors… It’s all there, just without the booze.
- Why It’s Great: It’s as dialed-in to the original drinking experience as a non-alcoholic version can possibly be.
- Best For: Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day without getting a headache the next morning.
5. Brewdog Elvis AF
- Style: Non-Alcoholic IPA
- ABV: <0.5%
- Tasting Notes: One of Brewdog’s US exclusive beers, this NA version of their iconic Elvis Juice brings massive juice flavors along with classic IPA bitterness.
- Why It’s Great: There’s really no beer out there packing in this much flavor with so few calories and carbs.
- Best For: Getting that beach bod! Calories: 20. Carbs: 2.3g. Gluten Reduced.
6. Best Day Brewing Kölsch
- Style: Kölsch
- ABV: <0.5%
- Tasting Notes: The German Kölsch style is the perfect marriage between ale and lager, and this BA version is no different. Easy to drink but quite flavorful, there’s a bready sweetness from toasted malts along with a dry finish.
- Why It’s Great: Slick branding is a cornerstone of this brewery, so you’ll certainly look cool while keeping your chill at the barbecue or pub.
- Best For: Pairing with German food, just without the buzz!
7. Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0 Non-Alcoholic
- Style: Pilsner
- ABV: <0.5%
- Tasting Notes: The crisp finish and zippy hops you’d expect from an Italian pilsner are all present here. What’s not is the booze!
- Why It’s Great: This beer is so refreshing and elegantly packaged, you’ll feel like you’re on a Mediterranean vacay wherever you’re drinking it.
- Best For: Post-tennis drinks or the Aperitivo hour you drove to.
8. Deschutes Black Butte Non-Alcoholic
- Style: Porter
- ABV: <0.5%
- Tasting Notes: For such a robust and malty brew, it’s shocking there’s no alcohol in the delicious brewery. Expect a malt sweetness balanced out with mild bitterness, with piney hops.
- Why It’s Great: The brewery does as good a job as any at recreating a complex and fairly strong beer, just without the alcohol!
- Best For: A night at the pub or around the campfire.
Where to Buy Non-Alcoholic Beer
There are major online retailers that all sell non-alcoholic beer for either delivery or pick-up:
- CraftZero
- Amazon through Whole Foods
- Trader Joe’s
- Kroger
- Drizly
- DoorDash
While it’s easy to find non-alcoholic beer online, some of the best NA beers are produced by local breweries. Check the website or social media page of local companies to see if there are any alcoholic options in their bottle shop or taproom!
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best NA Beer for You
Very few drinkers have enjoyed traditional nonalcoholic brands, especially brewers. That’s why it’s so refreshing to find the same vibrant variety that craft brewing has given us in the non-alcoholic beverage world. So whether you’re embarking on Dry January, training for a marathon, or are making a lifestyle shift, you won’t have to cut out flavor in order to cut out booze!
