Whether you’re looking to cut back on alcohol or cut it out of your diet entirely, we’re in a golden age of satisfying low-ABV drink options. While low-alcohol spirits and cocktails have been particularly trendy of late, non-alcoholic beer has come a long way since the ’90s, when your options were basically O’Douls or Diet Coke.
For those new to the term, non-alcoholic beer (also known as NA, low-alcohol, or near beer) isn’t actually alcohol free. All beer contains at least a small percentage of alcohol (usually 0.5 percent). The only way to imbibe alcohol-free beer is not to drink beer at all.
Here are some of our favorite NA beer options for when you’re trying to limit your intake. Keep scrolling to see our picks for the very best non-alcoholic beers.
Photo by Athletic Brewing
Athletic Brewing’s Free Wave
Who doesn’t love a hazy IPA? This one from Athletic Brewing is bursting with pine, tangerine, and tropical fruit aromas, thanks to the addition of Amarillo, Citra, and Mosaic hops—without all that pesky alcohol. That’s right, you get all the haze with less than 0.5 percent ABV. Better still, this beer is vegan and made with all non-GMO products.
Photo by Oskar Blues Brewery
Oskar Blues Designated Dale’s NA Pils
If you enjoy Oskar Blues’ popular Mama’s Little Yella Pils, and you’re looking for an NA version, the folks at the Colorado-based brewery have you covered. Oskar Blues Designated Dale’s NA Pils is an American pilsner that begins with a malt backbone before moving into flavors like lemon peel and pear, with an ABV of less than 0.5 percent.
Untitled Art Non-Alcoholic West Coast IPA
No non-alcoholic beer list would be complete without at least one West Coast IPA. One of the best is Untitled Art Non-Alcoholic West Coast IPA. This NA take on the classic style gets its citrus, pine, and hop aromas and flavors from the liberal use of Cascade, Centennial, and Simcoe hops. All that dank, resinous flavor with less than 0.5 percent ABV.
Photo by Brooklyn Brewing
Brooklyn Special Effects Hoppy Amber
This non-alcoholic amber ale is made using a special fermentation method that creates the aromas and flavors drinkers expect in a well-made craft beer, without the alcohol. It’s also dry-hopped to add even more piney, floral character. The result is a surprisingly balanced beer with notes of floral hops, citrus peels, and just a hint of bitterness.
Photo by Bravus Brewing Co.
Bravus Oatmeal Dark
While you can’t go wrong with Guinness 0, if you’re looking for a non-alcoholic stout to imbibe, opt for Bravus Oatmeal Dark instead. This award-winning beer is made with simple ingredients like malted barley, hops, and yeast. The result is a complex, rich beer loaded with flavors like dark chocolate, toffee, and freshly brewed coffee.
Photo by Al's Drinks Company
Al’s Classic Non-Alcoholic Lager
With a name like Al’s Classic Non-Alcoholic Lager, you should have a pretty good idea about what you’re in for when cracking open one of these bad boys. Not only is this NA lager only 54 calories, but it also has all the bready, herbal, noble hop, floral aromas and flavors you’d expect from a classic lager. It’s crisp, refreshing, and will make you rethink how you feel about non-alcoholic lagers.
Photo by Radeberger Gruppe KG
Clausthaler Original
No non-alcoholic beer list is complete without Clausthaler Original. This beer has been brewed the same way since 1979. Made with its own specialized brewing technique, it’s known for its balanced flavor profile of cereal grains, malts, grass, and gentle hops. It’s refreshing, crisp, and always there when you want to imbibe a beer, but can do without the alcohol.
Photo by Best Day Brewing
Best Day Non-Alcoholic Kölsch
There aren’t many beer styles more refreshing than a classic kölsch. One of the best NA options is Best Day Non-Alcoholic Kölsch. Made with simple ingredients like barley, hops, and yeast, it’s known for its light, crisp, easy-drinking nature featuring notes of sweet malts, citrus peels, and bright hops.
