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Guinness 0.0 is a non-alcoholic version of Guinness Draught — brewed at St. James’s Gate in Dublin using the same ingredients and the same iconic widget can, with the alcohol removed through a cold filtration process. It sits at exactly 0.0% ABV and has become one of the most talked-about non-alcoholic beers since its US launch in 2022, largely because it comes closer to the original than almost anyone expected.
We grabbed a can from ProofNoMore.com to take it for a proper test drive. Here’s everything you need to know: how it’s made, what it tastes like, how closely it matches the original, and who it’s going to work for.
How Does Guinness Remove the Alcohol?
Guinness uses a cold filtration process to remove the alcohol from 0.0 — rather than heat-based distillation, the beer is passed through very fine filters at low temperatures. The cold environment is key: it preserves the volatile aroma compounds and the flavors that are most sensitive to heat, which is how the roasty, coffee-tinged character of Guinness Draught survives the process largely intact. It’s a different approach to the heat-based distillation methods used by many other NA producers — Good Beer Hunting covers the ongoing debate between cold and heat-based removal methods and why the choice matters for flavor.
The nitrogen widget is also retained. That’s the small plastic ball inside the can that releases nitrogen when you open it, creating Guinness’s distinctive cascading pour and the thick, creamy tan head. If you’ve ever drunk a canned Guinness, you know what this looks like. It works exactly the same way in 0.0 — which is one of the reasons the experience of drinking it feels so close to the real thing.
What Does Guinness 0.0 Taste Like?
Pour it into a pint glass and give it the two-minute settle — same as you would a regular Guinness — and it looks the part. Dark, almost opaque, with that creamy beige head. The visual is close enough that you’d have a hard time telling them apart at a glance.
On the nose: roasted barley, coffee, a hint of dark chocolate. It’s less intense than the original, and there’s a faint sweetness underneath that isn’t in regular Guinness Draught. But the core character is there — it smells like a stout.
The taste is where Guinness 0.0 genuinely impresses. The roastiness comes through clearly — coffee and dark malt dominate the mid-palate, with a faint chocolatey note on the finish. The bitterness is present and recognizable. The mouthfeel is slightly thinner than the original, and the creaminess from the nitrogen is a little less pronounced, but it’s remarkably close for a 0.0% ABV beer.
The most noticeable departure: a slightly sweeter finish. The same phenomenon as other non-alcoholic beers — residual sugars stay behind when alcohol is removed, and they show up on the back end. In Guinness 0.0, it’s more subtle than in lighter NA lagers, partly because the roasty bitterness does some of the work that alcohol normally would in balancing sweetness.
Guinness 0.0 vs Guinness Draught: The Real Differences
Honest comparison between the two:
- Appearance: Nearly identical — dark, creamy head, same cascading pour from the widget
- Aroma: 0.0 is slightly less complex and a touch sweeter on the nose, but the roasted barley character is recognizable
- Taste: Very similar roasty, coffee-forward profile — the main difference is a sweeter finish and marginally less bitterness in 0.0
- Mouthfeel: Slightly thinner and less creamy than the original, though the nitrogen widget does a lot to close that gap
- Calories: Around 70 per can versus roughly 210 for a regular Guinness Draught
By the standards of the non-alcoholic beer category, that level of similarity to the original is exceptional. Most NA beers diverge more significantly from their alcoholic counterparts. Guinness 0.0 is one of the most faithful non-alcoholic versions of any classic beer currently available.
Who Is Guinness 0.0 For?
Three obvious groups: Guinness fans who are cutting back on alcohol, people who want a dark beer option in the NA space, and anyone in a social situation where having something that looks and feels like a real beer matters.
That last one is underrated. There’s real social value in being able to order a Guinness and get something that looks exactly like a pint of Guinness. No explaining, no sticking out, no soda at the pub. For Dry January regulars, designated drivers, or people managing their alcohol intake, Guinness 0.0 handles those situations better than almost any other NA beer.
It’s also the best non-alcoholic dark beer widely available right now. If you’re a stout fan exploring the NA space, Guinness 0.0 is the first stop. For a broader look at what’s available across all styles, our roundup of the best non-alcoholic beers covers everything from light lagers to craft IPAs. And if you want to understand how Guinness fits into the broader stout family, our guide to porter beer covers the stout and porter relationship in depth.
Where to Buy Guinness 0.0
Guinness 0.0 is available at most major grocery chains, liquor stores, and bars that carry Guinness on tap. It comes in single cans and four-packs in the same 14.9oz widget cans as regular Guinness Draught.
Online, ProofNoMore carries the Guinness 0.0 range and is a good option if you want to stock up or try it alongside other NA beers from their extensive selection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Guinness 0.0 really alcohol-free?
Yes — Guinness 0.0 is brewed to contain exactly 0.0% ABV. The alcohol is completely removed through cold filtration rather than just reduced to a low level, which is why Guinness can label it as 0.0% rather than “less than 0.5%.” It’s one of the few truly zero-alcohol versions of a major stout brand available in the US.
Does Guinness 0.0 taste like regular Guinness?
Closer than most people expect. Guinness 0.0 has the same roasted barley character, coffee notes, and dark appearance as Guinness Draught. The main differences are a slightly thinner mouthfeel and a sweeter finish — both common traits in non-alcoholic beers. The nitrogen widget in the can means you still get the cascading pour and creamy head, which makes the overall experience feel very similar to the original.
Is Guinness 0.0 gluten-free?
No. Guinness 0.0 is brewed with roasted barley and malted barley, both of which contain gluten. It’s not suitable for people with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance. If you’re after a gluten-free dark non-alcoholic beer, Athletic Brewing’s All Out Stout is a certified gluten-free alternative worth considering.
How many calories are in Guinness 0.0?
Guinness 0.0 contains approximately 70 calories per 14.9oz can — compared to around 210 calories in a regular Guinness Draught of the same size. The significant calorie reduction is a direct result of the alcohol removal, since alcohol accounts for the majority of calories in most beers.
When did Guinness 0.0 launch in the US?
Guinness 0.0 launched in the United States in 2022, about a year after its debut in Ireland and the UK. The US launch followed several years of development — Guinness actually recalled and destroyed an earlier version in 2020 over quality concerns before releasing the version that’s currently on shelves. The delay was worth it: the current version is significantly better than most of the competition.
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