Let's be real – most alcohol-free beers taste like sad wheat water. I learned this the hard way when I did Dry January last year. After choking down six terrible brands, I almost quit until a bartender slipped me something decent. That's when I realized finding truly great dealcoholized beer isn't easy, but it's possible if you know where to look.
What Exactly is Dealcoholized Beer?
Dealcoholized beer starts as regular beer before brewers remove the alcohol using methods like vacuum distillation or reverse osmosis. Unlike "naturally alcohol-free" brews, these retain more original flavor. Some producers like Athletic Brewing even use specialized yeast strains that produce under 0.5% ABV during fermentation. Fun fact: EU regulations require anything labeled "alcohol-free" to contain less than 0.5% ABV – same as a ripe banana.
My taste-test fail: I once bought a dealcoholized lager that smelled like wet cardboard. Turns out it sat on a warm shelf for months. Lesson? Always check expiration dates – these brews spoil faster than regular beer.
Why People Actually Choose Non-Alcoholic Beer
When I quit drinking for health reasons, I figured I'd hate sober socializing. Surprisingly, holding a cold bottle of decent AF beer made things easier. Beyond my personal sob story:
Top Reasons People Hunt for the Best Dealcoholized Beer
- Health kick: Cutting calories (most have 30-70kcal per can) or avoiding alcohol's effects
- Designated drivers: Like my buddy Dave who brings 6-packs to BBQs
- Pregnancy: Shoutout to my sister who craved IPA during her third trimester
- Medication conflicts: Can't mix booze with antidepressants or antibiotics
Whatever your reason, you deserve better than flavorless swill.
How We Tested These Non-Alcoholic Brews
Over four months, I enlisted 9 beer nerds (and my skeptical brother-in-law) to blind-taste 32 brands. We ranked them on:
| Criterion | Why It Matters | Weight in Score |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor Authenticity | Does it taste like real beer or dirty water? | 40% |
| Mouthfeel | That satisfying weight on your tongue – thin beers failed instantly | 25% |
| Aroma | Skunky smells got automatic disqualification | 15% |
| Price & Availability | No unicorn beers that take 3 weeks to ship | 20% |
The Absolute Best Dealcoholized Beers You Can Buy Right Now
Overall Winner: Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA
This Connecticut brewery changed the game. Run Wild packs citrusy hops with a malt backbone that fools IPA lovers. My craft-beer-obsessed neighbor didn't believe it was alcohol-free. At $10.99/six-pack and available at Whole Foods, it's accessible excellence.
Downside: Their limited editions sell out faster than Taylor Swift tickets.
Best Dealcoholized Lager: Bitburger Drive
Germans know beer. Bitburger nailed the crisp, clean profile with subtle floral notes. Perfect for hot days – tastes like a premium import. Find it at Total Wine for around $11/six-pack.
Best Dealcoholized Stout: Guinness 0.0
Shockingly close to the original. Creamy nitro mouthfeel with coffee/chocolate notes. Served in actual pubs now! (~$9/4-pack). Drawback? Only comes in cans – no widget for home pours.
| Brand & Style | Price Range | Where to Buy | Calories (per 12oz) | Our Taste Rating (/10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletic Run Wild (IPA) | $10-$12/six-pack | Whole Foods, Target, athleticbrewing.com | 65 | 9.5 |
| Bitburger Drive (Lager) | $11-$13/six-pack | Total Wine, specialty stores | 75 | 9.0 |
| Guinness 0.0 (Stout) | $9-$11/four-pack | Most major supermarkets | 70 | 8.8 |
| BrewDog Punk AF (IPA) | $12-$14/six-pack | Online, liquor chains | 60 | 8.7 |
| Heineken 0.0 (Lager) | $7-$9/six-pack | Everywhere (gas stations too) | 69 | 8.0 |
Funny thing – Heineken 0.0 tastes better than regular Heineken to me. Less skunky.
Where These Best Dealcoholized Beers Actually Ship
Nothing's worse than craving something you can't find. Here's the real deal on availability:
- Athletic Brewing: Ships to 48 states. Subscriptions save 10% (I do this)
- Bitburger Drive: Spotty in Midwest. Use their store locator
- European brands (Clausthaler, Erdinger): Often cheaper on Amazon than specialty shops
- Local options: Check brewery websites – many now offer local delivery
Warning About Shipping
Heat kills dealcoholized beer faster than regular brews. Never ship in summer without ice packs. My July order from California arrived tasting like band-aids.
What Surprised Us During Testing
Beyond finding genuinely tasty options, we discovered:
- Temperature matters more: Serve IPA colder than usual (~38°F) to mask slight sweetness
- Glassware helps: Pour into a real pint glass – it improves aroma dramatically
- Freshness is critical: Always check "brewed on" dates. Old NA beer tastes metallic
Athletic Brewing's Upside Dawn disappointed me last year – turns out I'd bought expired stock. Fresh cans? Totally different experience.
Your Dealcoholized Beer Questions Answered
Does dealcoholized beer have ZERO alcohol?
Technically no – most contain 0.0% to 0.5% ABV. For comparison:
- Orange juice: 0.5% ABV
- Ripe banana: 0.4% ABV
- Sourdough bread: 1.2% ABV
You'd need 10 NA beers in an hour to equal one regular beer's alcohol content.
Why does some dealcoholized beer taste sweet?
Removing alcohol leaves residual sugars. Brewers add hops or tart flavors to compensate. Crappy brands don't bother.
Can I cook with it?
Absolutely! I use Guinness 0.0 in chili and Athletic IPA in beer-battered fish. Avoid cheap brands – they make food taste syrupy.
Dealcoholized Beer vs. Regular: Cost Breakdown
| Beer Type | Avg. Price per 12oz | Calorie Difference | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craft IPA (6% ABV) | $2.50-$3.50 | 220 calories | Weekend relaxing |
| Best Dealcoholized IPA | $1.80-$2.20 | 65 calories | Work nights, driving |
| Imported Lager (5% ABV) | $1.50-$2.00 | 180 calories | Parties, sports events |
| Best Dealcoholized Lager | $1.30-$1.80 | 70-80 calories | Lunch breaks, long drives |
Pro tip: Buying dealcoholized beer by the case saves 15-20%. Split with friends if storage is tight.
Final Thoughts From a Former Skeptic
I used to think non-alcoholic beer was pointless. Why not just drink soda? Then I realized it's not about getting drunk – it's about ritual, flavor, and belonging. Holding a proper IPA while grilling makes sobriety feel less like deprivation.
The best dealcoholized beer options today genuinely impress. Will they replicate that whiskey-barrel-aged imperial stout? No. But for refreshing lagers and hoppy IPAs? Absolutely. Start with Athletic or Bitburger if you're new – they're gateway brews to this world.
Still hesitant? Grab a single can at Whole Foods instead of committing to a six-pack. Worst case, you're out three bucks. Best case? You find your new weekday go-to. Cheers to that.
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