What does non-alcoholic beer taste like?

If you’ve found yourself wondering, “what does non alcoholic beer taste like?”, have we got good news for you. There's never been a better time to give non alcoholic beer a go. 

Newer brewing techniques mean that non alcoholic beer is tasting better than ever, with some beer lovers unable to taste the difference between alcoholic and non-alc beers in blind tastings.

The bitter, hoppy, fruity or malty taste we love is back in, without the alcohol we may want to avoid.

What makes beer taste like beer?

While individual beers may note flavour and aroma descriptions as varied as citrusy and fresh, spicy and caramelised, dark and roasty or sweet and delicate, there is usually one overarching thing that makes beer taste like beer. 

And it's usually a bitterness created by the hops used in the brewing process. Hops are the green cone shaped flowers of the Humulus Lupulus plant.

Yeast also has a role to play, as does the grain used (malted barley, wheat or maize) and of course the bubbles that make up the characteristic beer drinking experience. 

But it always comes back to those hops. Without them the drink is just technically “gruit”.

So, does non-alcoholic beer taste like beer?

The fact that non alcoholic beer is no longer just for those of us who don't drink at all, is telling. 

A growing part of the market is now made up of regular beer drinkers, who occasionally change it up and drink alcohol-free beer because, for whatever reason they're looking for the beer taste they love without the alcohol. 

Perhaps they're on call for work, or have an early flight to catch and don't want to risk a hangover. Maybe they're simply taking part in their annual Dry January challenge. 

Some years ago, non-alcoholic beer was, well… non-nice.

Luckily times have changed.

Non alcoholic beer is good enough now that it no longer feels like a poor substitute. It's just a substitute. Full stop.

Most of the reviews you may find online slamming non alcoholic beer are unlikely to be recent. New technology and techniques have come to save the day.

Part of this ale-aissance is due to craft beer brewers entering the fray in recent years. Their inspiration and creativity is pushing the boundaries of what we have come to expect of an alcohol free or low alcohol beer.

How is non alcoholic beer made?

Non alcoholic beer is almost always made with the same ingredients as the old fashioned favourite. Water, grain, hops and yeast all make a comeback in the NA version.

As with all beer, water makes it wet and the grain brings the sugar to the table. This sugar is then turned into alcohol by the yeast during the fermentation process. 

The hops provide that recognisable bitterness and taste, as well as that distinctive beery aroma. Everything else is a matter of seasoning with each manufacturer adding in their own flavourful extras. We can split NA beer production into two main arms.

Arrested development. 

Through what is sometimes called arrested fermentation or controlled fermentation, NA beer producers stop the fermentation process before the yeast begins to produce alcohol. 

This is done by carefully controlling the temperature of the beer or preparing a wort base with less fermentable sugars so that the yeast can’t produce high amounts of alcohol.

Similarly some beer makers eliminate the yeast altogether to prevent even trace amounts of alcohol which can result in a much sweeter product.

Science is also coming to the party and working to develop different strains of yeast which can produce a non alcoholic product.

Dealcoholisation.

This involves simply taking a fully-brewed and fully alcoholic beer and removing the booze.

This has historically been done through a process of heating the beer to high temperatures in an effort to burn off the alcohol, or alternatively by using a specialised alcohol removal filtration system.

Effective as this method is at nixing the buzz factor, it can also nix the deliciousness at the same time.

Enter vacuum evaporation. This process is able to remove the ethanol, ie the alcohol, at lower temperatures, which means that much of that distinctive beer-y flavour gets to stay

Some companies make use of a specialised membrane and/or reverse osmosis to remove the water in the beer, allowing the alcohol to be distilled off at which point the water is popped back in. 

Some of these filtration methods can leave the beer without bubbles though and because no one likes a flat beer, carbon dioxide is slipped back in at the end.

5 Taste-approved non-alcoholic beers.

Although much of what we group together as non alcoholic beer actually does contain small amounts of alcohol, it is usually less than 0.5% ABV. This tiny amount of alcohol is actually comparable to that found in some foods and fruit juices. 

These levels are so low that your body can process this small alcohol content quickly enough that you are unlikely to experience any of the usual unpleasant effects of traditional alcoholic drinks. Win win.

Just as regular beer flavour profiles and styles differ, so too do those of these so-called zero alcohol beers. Let's take a look at some of the market leaders to get you started.

• Lucky Saint Unfiltered Lager (0.5% ABV)

This non alcoholic beer is touted to contain, “as much alcohol as a banana”.

Amusingly shaped fruit aside, one of the common complaints of non alcoholic beer has always been the thinner mouthfeel that often results when the alcohol is filtered out. No one likes a watery drink. 

Part of Lucky Saints appeal is that it really is a full bodied lager, unfiltered for best beer flavour.

• Guinness 0 (less than 0.5% ABV)

If stout is your bag, look no further than this iconic brand. This NA stout delivers that distinctive Guinness flavour without the alcohol. 

Brewed in the same way as always, but with a specialised cold filtration method to gently remove the alcohol, this beer comes with the same “dark ruby red liquid and creamy head, hints of chocolate and coffee, smoothly balanced with bitter, sweet and roasted notes”. 

Sounds right on the money.

• Corona Non-Alcoholic (less than 0.5% ABV)

If it's summer time easy drinking you're after, this alcohol-free lager is light with a delicate malt and fruit flavour. 

Topped off with lemony notes and a slight bitterness, it pairs well with the traditional lime of its alcoholic counterpart and is equally refreshing.

• Athletic Brewing Run Wild (less than 0.5% ABV)

One of the top selling non alcoholic beers and a must try for craft beer lovers, this IPA or Indian Pale Ale, combines a gentle bitterness with its malty body. 

With citrus and pine coming through, this is another beer that avoids the watery trap thanks to their special proprietary brewing process.

• Heineken 0.0 (less than 0.03% ABV)

Another classic, well loved brand has done the seemingly impossible here and brought us a non alcoholic beer that can stand alongside its iconic siblings.

Made with the same water, malted barley, hop and A-yeast Heineken is famous for, their NA offering is enhanced with natural flavourings and is similarly fruity but with a soft malty body.

That may be enough to whet your appetite, but if you’re keen for more, have a read here. We break down Doom Bar Zero, Galactic Milk Stout, Weissbier Alkoholfrei and Nanny State for the connoisseur.

The rise of non alcoholic beer.

As many of us move towards a healthier lifestyle the rise of non alcoholic beer is unlikely to stall. In fact, it's on the up.

There is, after all, a lot to recommend non alcoholic beer.

Firstly there are the purported health benefits. Of course we all know that excess alcohol is connected to many serious health conditions. But did you know that non alcoholic beer is not only lower in calories, it also contains polyphenols. These compounds have been shown to reduce inflammation in this study review.

At the very least, with alcohol free beer you're looking at fewer trips to the bathroom. Alcohol is the diuretic in the drinks that sends you to the loo.

And that's even before we’ve considered that non alcoholic beer can and does taste good. 

Now you can enjoy all the flavour and body you enjoy from a traditional beer, without the alcoholic kick.

Give it a try today. You may be pleasantly surprised.

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