Why wait for Dry January when you can start your lifestyle shift on any given day of the year? And if you’re looking to cut down your alcohol intake, you might want to look into non-alcoholic beer. Also known as near beer or NA beer, it’s produced similar to your regular barley malt beverage. In fact, you’ll find pale ale, wheat beer, and even stout varieties of this drink. The only difference is that it contains lower percentages of alcohol — if at all!
So if you’re interested in finding out more about these kinds of light drinks, continue reading. Here, we’ll be breaking down and reviewing the best non-alcoholic beer brands on the market this year.
The Best Non Alcoholic Beer Products At A Glance
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Best Overall: O'Doul's Premium Non-Alcoholic Beer
A good-tasting low-alcohol beer from a trusted company.READ MORE -
Best Lager: Heineken 0.0% Non-Alcohol Beer
A non-alcoholic lager with well-balanced flavors.READ MORE -
Best Pale Ale: Partake Brewing Non Alcoholic Craft Brew Pale Ale
This hoppy non-alcoholic beer has all the best elements of a good pale ale brew.READ MORE -
Best IPA: Athletic Brewing Company Craft NA Run Wild IPA
A foamy IPA non-alcoholic beer that tastes and feels like the real deal.READ MORE -
Best Hazy IPA: BrewDog Hazy AF Non-Alcoholic New England
One of the best beers with a hazy unfiltered finish.READ MORE -
Best Wheat: Wellbeing Brewing Co. Heavenly Body Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer
An American-style low alcohol wheat beer that’s light and citrusy.READ MORE -
Best Craft: Wellbeing Brewing Co Hellraiser Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer
One of the best tasting beers achieved by a traditional craft brewing process and distillation.READ MORE -
Best German: Clausthaler 'Original' Non-Alcoholic Beer Imported
Produced by one of the earliest German beer brands.READ MORE -
Best Flavored: Flying Cauldron Butterscotch Beer
A delectable zero alcohol beer that people of all ages can enjoy.READ MORE -
Best Stout: Gruvi Stout Non-Alcoholic Beer
A low-alcohol top-fermented beer with top taste.READ MORE -
Best Low-Calorie: Bravus Non-Alcoholic Oatmeal Stout
The best low-calorie option for non-alcoholic dark beers.READ MORE -
Best Gluten-Free: Hoplark Sparkling HopTea Craft Brewed NA Beer Alternative
A sparkling tea that tastes like hoppy beer without alcohol and gluten.READ MORE -
Best Golden Ale: BrewDog Nanny State Non-Alcoholic Hoppy Ale
A crisp golden ale from one of the most popular makers of the best non alcoholic beers.READ MORE -
Best Dark: Partake Brewing Non Alcoholic Craft Brew Dark
An NA beer that tastes as deep as it looks.READ MORE -
Best Fruity: Coors Edge Non-Alcoholic Beer
A citrusy brew that is not like your typical fruity alcohol-free beer.READ MORE
15 Best Non Alcoholic Beer Products This 2022
To narrow down the products on this list of beers, we carefully considered the most important factors. Taste, mouthfeel, appearance, aroma, and overall product quality are the top considerations. Continue reading below for a more in-depth discussion of the best non alcoholic beer brands!
Best Overall: O'Doul's Premium Non-Alcoholic Beer
What We Love
- High-quality ingredients
- Full-bodied flavor
- Low-calorie
- Careful alcohol extraction
What We Don't Love
- Quite pricey
- Contains 0.4% ABV
The classic O’doul’s beer (sometimes misspelled as Odules) is the best non-alcoholic beer in the market. After all, it’s produced using top ingredients by America’s beloved alcoholic and non-alcoholic (NA) brewery, Anheuser-Busch. Coupled with a production process that involves careful extraction of alcohol, you can definitely taste the satisfyingly crisp and full-bodied difference in the quality of this product.
Although this near beer has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 0.4 percent, this really isn’t enough to get anyone drunk. This amount is also considered safe for those who are on medication, for pregnant women, and those with underlying health conditions. However, they may not be advisable for those who are recovering from alcohol addiction. All things considered, O’doul’s is one of the best-tasting non-alcoholic beer products available this year. Try whipping up a BBQ burger recipe to have with this drink.
Best Lager: Heineken 0.0% Non-Alcohol Beer
What We Love
- Natural ingredients
- Inexpensive
- Classic lager flavor
- Low-calorie
What We Don't Love
- Contains 0.03% ABV
This six-pack offer of Heineken Zero is the way to go if you want to indulge in non-alcoholic lager. This 0.0 alcohol beer is light, crisp, and refreshing and also has a well-balanced fruity and malty flavor. We bet you it’ll taste really great with some lighter buffalo wings! Also, a standard Heineken non-alcoholic beer can has an ABV of 0.03 percent, meaning it’s also safe for pregnant women, those under medication, and those with underlying medical conditions.
Best Pale Ale: Partake Brewing Non Alcoholic Craft Brew Pale Ale
What We Love
- Natural ingredients
- Low-calorie
- Classic pale ale flavor
What We Don't Love
- Contains 0.3% ABV
This non alcoholic Partake Brewing product is satisfyingly dry and hoppy — just what you’d want from an American pale ale brew. It’s also sweet and aromatic, with floral and fruity notes from the hops. It doesn’t fall behind in terms of appearance either, with its deep amber color and white head. All in all, it’s not so surprising that this is considered an award-winning brew that both beer lovers and beginners are bound to enjoy. Try it with a serving of this meat pie recipe.
Best IPA: Athletic Brewing Company Craft NA Run Wild IPA
What We Love
- Natural ingredients
- Low-calorie
- Classic IPA flavor
What We Don't Love
- Contains 0.5% ABV
Athletic Brewing Company’s Run Wild variant bears all the best qualities of the best IPAs. Not only does it have India Pale Ale’s signature hoppy bitterness, but it’s also foamy with a slightly hazy, dark amber hue that resembles that of the real thing. So considering that it only has an alcohol content of 0.5 percent, this is the best option you have to experience this style of beer without getting drunk in the process. Succulent ribeye steak would taste great with this!
Best Hazy IPA: BrewDog Hazy AF Non-Alcoholic New England
What We Love
- Low-calorie
- Carefully produced
- Inexpensive
What We Don't Love
- Contains 0.5% ABV
Off the top, this BrewDog product boasts an unfiltered foggy body with an amber-colored hue. And in true hazy IPA fashion, it gives away a full-bodied hoppy flavor that isn’t overly bitter. Notes of tropical and grassy qualities can also be enjoyed in the brew. All things considered, this is definitely the best NA beer product to get in this particular brew style.
Best Wheat: Wellbeing Brewing Co. Heavenly Body Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer
What We Love
- Low-calorie
- Inexpensive
- Vegan
What We Don't Love
- Contains 0.3% ABV
Out of all the NA beer brands in the market, this product is the best American-style wheat beer that you can have with a classic pairing of gruyere cheese. As you would expect, this near beer is light, citrusy, and easy to drink. This might be a result of the meticulous alcohol removal process that leaves a minimal percentage of 0.26 per serving. Either way, this product surely delivers in terms of quality.
Best Craft Beer: Wellbeing Brewing Co Hellraiser Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer
What We Love
- Low-calorie
- Inexpensive
- Vegan
What We Don't Love
- Contains 0.3% ABV
For the best non alcoholic craft beer, the Hellraiser takes the top spot. That’s because this product is brewed like traditional craft beers before the alcohol is extracted in a careful vacuum distillation process. As a result, this NA craft beer gets a deep-colored body and an unmistakably hoppy flavor that tastes like the real deal.
Best German: Clausthaler 'Original' Non-Alcoholic Beer Imported
What We Love
- Traditional German recipe
- Low-calorie
- Inexpensive
What We Don't Love
- Contains 0.5%ABV
The Clausthaler non alcoholic beer is as German as it gets, all thanks to its production process that strictly abides by the said country’s purity law on brewing. Specifically, this product is a near beer rendition of the classic German lager that’s perfect with a no-frills bratwurst recipe. With a golden body and a fresh and crisp finish, this is one of the non-alcoholic drinks that deserves a spot on anyone’s list.
Best Flavored: Flying Cauldron Butterscotch Beer
What We Love
- Entirely alcohol-free
- Unique taste
- Natural ingredients
What We Don't Love
- Not for those looking for the classic beer flavor
Yes, good alcohol-free beers with unique flavors exist. Take this Flying Cauldron flavored beer for instance. Instead of having the more common malty or hoppy flavor, this drink boasts a lush and creamy butterscotch taste. And though it does look like beer, both kids and adults can enjoy a bottle of this beverage as it’s completely alcohol-free.
Best Stout: Gruvi Stout Non-Alcoholic Beer
What We Love
- Classic stout beer flavor
- Low-calorie
What We Don't Love
- Contains 0.4% ABV
For a dark stout beer that won’t give you hangovers, this Gruvi brew might just be the one. That’s because despite only containing trace amounts of alcohol at 0.4 percent, this product offers a medium-bodied roasted quality that you’d expect from traditional stout beers. On top of that, you can also taste a delicious salvo of nutty and honey-like elements from the hop blend used in this non-alcoholic stout. It would taste delicious with a serving of homemade chocolate truffles as well!
Best Low-Calorie: Bravus Non-Alcoholic Oatmeal Stout
What We Love
- Vegan-friendly
- Less gluten content
- Classic dark beer flavor
What We Don't Love
- Contains 0.5% ABV
Bravus Brewing Co. makes good beers that won’t break your diet. It may not be the lowest calorie non alcoholic beer in the market, but it only contains 99 calories which is far less than what a normal dark beer would have. It’s also vegan-friendly and contains less gluten. Apart from that, its flavor is also at par with the rest—offering classic Stout beer flavor notes like chocolate, caramel, and coffee.
Best Gluten-Free: Hoplark Sparkling HopTea Craft Brewed NA Beer Alternative
What We Love
- Entirely alcohol-free
- Comes in four flavors
- Zero calories
- Sugar-free
What We Don't Love
- May be too hoppy for some
With this gluten-free Hoplark brew, even people with gluten sensitivities can drink beers and enjoy them. All this is possible since the only ingredients in this brew are hops, tea, and water. Though it’s essentially a sparkling tea, it surprisingly manages to capture the familiar essence and taste of beer, without needing wheat or barley.
Best Golden Ale: BrewDog Nanny State Non-Alcoholic Hoppy Ale
What We Love
- Low-calorie
- Carefully produced
- Inexpensive
What We Don't Love
- Contains 0.5% ABV
The BrewDog Nanny State is the best alcohol-free beer to get if you want to enjoy the classic taste of golden ale, without its consequences. It’s crisp, citrusy, and bitter from the hops. Overall, it lives up to the expectation as it’s refreshing and fairly easy to drink.
Best Dark: Partake Brewing Non Alcoholic Craft Brew Dark
What We Love
- Natural ingredients
- Low-calorie
- Classic dark beer flavor
What We Don't Love
- Contains 0.3% ABV
Partake Brewing manufactures another good beer. But this time around, it’s with a darker hue. Coupled with notes of roasted coffee, dark berries, plum, and at times chocolate, this drink tastes exactly how it looks. Both dark and pale variants produced by Partake Brewing may not be entirely alcohol-free, but they manage to embody the classic beer flavors while significantly reducing the amount of alcohol in the brew.
Best Fruity: Coors Edge Non-Alcoholic Beer
What We Love
- Low-calorie
- Classic lager flavor
What We Don't Love
- Contains 0.5% ABV
- Pricey
Next to the popular Coors Light with an ABV of 4.5 percent, the brand offers the Edge which is even more suited for those who are trying to cut down on alcohol. It only has less than 0.5 percent ABV, after all. And although it’s not marketed like most flavored beer brands, it does have a good beer flavor with citrus and banana-like notes. This is another good product from what many consider as one of the best American beer brands.
What to Look For in the Best Non-Alcoholic Beer
Since everyone’s preferences are different, the best NA beer in the world may not be the most suited for your palate. So, how do you determine what the best non-alcoholic beer is? Here are some key factors to consider:
Type
If you’re wondering what ale is or the difference between what a pilsner vs a lager is, then we suggest getting accustomed to the most common types of beer first.
Essentially, an ale is a sweet and full-bodied beer that’s fermented at high temperature. In the process, a top-fermenting, fruity yeast is used. Light-hued pale ale is a popular type of this beer, and Mikkeller and Aldi brand’s Folded Mountains are good examples of this.
READ ALSO: 10 Best Home Brewing Kits of 2022
Furthermore, there is also the IPA which is an ale with a more pronounced hoppy quality, like in the ones produced by the Surreal Brewing and Drop Bear brands. Wheat beer which contains a good amount of wheat malt (hence the name) is another popular variant. For this, the Blue Moon is a good example.
Meanwhile, stouts and porters are darker-colored ales, like the one produced by Big Drop Brewing Co.
On the other hand, a lager involves fermenting the drink at a lower temperature with bottom-fermenting yeast. This results in a sweet and crisp-tasting beer that can vary in color, from dark to pale lager varieties. Budweiser, Yuengling, Lucky Saint, Buoy Beer, Open Gate Brewery, and Michelob Ultra beers are good examples of this.
And while it may not be directly reflected in the name, the pilsner is actually a type of hoppy lager that originates from the Czech Republic. Examples include Modelo, Bitburger Drive, and Miller Lite beers.
Taste & Mouthfeel
For an alternative, it’s best to go for a no alcohol beer that tastes like real alcoholic beer. Meaning, it should have a good amount of hops, as well as the signature flavor qualities of the type you’re going for. But if you want to explore other options, try flavored beers that boast unique flavors like tropical fruit or butterscotch.
READ ALSO: Cooking with Beer: 10 Beer Recipes To Try
Appearance
As such, you might want to select non-alcoholic beer products that look similar to the type of beer that it claims to be. For instance, pale ales and lagers should have at least bright hues, while stouts and other dark beers should be deep-colored.
Aroma
The aroma of non-alcoholic spirits can make or break your beer drinking experience. So if you’re into beers with light, refreshing, or fruity notes, light ales and lagers are for you. Meanwhile, dark beers can have richer, roasted aromas with notes of chocolate, coffee, caramel, dark berries and the like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is non-alcoholic beer completely alcohol-free?
They can be. However, non-alcoholic beers in the US can contain up to 0.5 percent alcohol by volume ABV by law. It’s difficult to get drunk from this, as its ABV is far lower than the regular ABV of beer which ranges from four to seven percent. Although, these drinks may not be advisable for those under alcohol treatment and rehab since it may trigger relapses.
Is non-alcoholic beer healthy?
Non-alcoholic beer can arguably be healthier than regular beer. Although, anything in excess can be detrimental to your health.
Does non-alcoholic beer have less calories compared to regular beer?
Yes. On average, non-alcoholic beers contain 11 calories per one fluid ounce which is less compared to regular beer with 13 calories in the same amount of liquid.
How is non-alcoholic beer made?
This can depend on the manufacturer. Some produce beers by carefully distilling the alcohol after the fermentation process; whereas there are others halt the process altogether once the ideal alcohol level is achieved.