New Series: Dry Always
Sharing my top reccos for non-alcoholic alternatives
In mid-2018, I was put a mediation that doesn’t mix well with alcohol. While the recommendations are “do your best to avoid,” one half of a glass of sparkling wine in Italy that fall showed me a total avoidance strategy was best, as it gave me a mega migraine within 24 hours. I’d been on medication like this and, you know, pregnant so it wasn’t a huge transition for me. At that time, there were more options available than even 5 years before, but we hadn’t yet hit the total explosion we have now. As a point of reference, my local Total Wine store when from a shelf, maybe two of N/A beer to five sections in the last 8 years and a shelf was a huge jump from having only O’douls when I was pregnant in 2013.
Now, lots of people are doing monthly challenges like Dry January or Sober October or deciding they’re done with hangovers and regrets so moving to a sober or “sober curious” (gag!) lifestyle. I’ve meant to share my recommendations in one place for years and am finally taking the time to do so in a way that’s more organized than me “here’s what you can get at <a store I know well> that’s worth drinking and isn’t insanely expensive.”
Over the next few posts, I’m going to share my favorite N/A versions of beer, wine, and liquor alternatives. I’m not going to recommend any pre-made mocktails as I find most are disappointing. Thankfully, others have shared their recommendations over on Reddit and The Kitchn.
Before I Begin
Let’s do a little FAQs before we really jump in, though I will be sharing my favorite N/A beers for I sign off.
Why Bother?
Let’s get it all off our chests before I go into my recommendations: Yes, there is a “point” to drinking non-alcoholic versions of normally alcoholic drinks. If you were drinking just for the alcoholic effects, then you’re not the market for anything I’m going to tell you about and you may want to evaluate your relationship to alcohol.
Why I choose to drink non-alcoholic alternatives:
I’m not truly sober, avoiding alcohol consumption because I’m an alcoholic or have a problematic relationship to alcohol, so it’s not a trigger for me.
It helps me feel more a part of a party or event. Yes, it’s not fun to be the only sober person around when people get past buzzed, but I can hang for much longer with a similar drink.
It’s more exciting than another soda, seltzer, or water. I love me some Diet Coke and water is always a good thing, but I get tired of them.
It’s the ritual of a cold drink after a hard day, to celebrate an occassion or goal being reached, or because I just feel like having one. I know that there is very little alcohol in any of these N/A drinks but just pouring an ice cold one into a glass and having a sip relaxes me.
They often taste very close to (what I remember of) the taste of the real thing.
How’s This Stuff Made?
Thankfully, people in the industry are happy to share all about the various processes they use. Boisson explains N/A beer and N/A wine; they’re also a great resource to actually get your hands on N/A products if you’d like to buy online. N/A alternatives to liquors are much more closely held as to the “how it’s made” side of things; most companies will tell you they craft the flavors to mimic the real thing rather than making an alcoholic version then removing the alcohol like most N/A beer and wine.
Why’s It Still Expensive?
See the “How’s This Stuff Made” answer. In short, there’s no less equipment, time, skill, or attention to detail required to make N/A versions. Sometimes, they even cost a smidge more because of the high cost of specialized equipment. The Zero Proof offers a much more elegant explanation here. Poke around their site for lots of recommendations on N/A alternatives though I will note their recommendations don’t trend to the cheaper side of things.
Non-Alcoholic Beer
The Original Craft N/A: Athletic Brewing Company
If your state sells alcohol in grocery stores/Target, you’ve probably seen one of their beer for sale. They’re the largest N/A only brewery in the world and one of the fastest growing, overall. Their two flagship beers are their IPA (Run Wild) and Golden Ale (Upside Dawn), but they’ve always got at least a dozen others for sale on their website. If you join the club for a nominal fee, you get a discount, access to member-only releases, and other fun things.
Note if you’re ordering this one out - I’ve often seen their offerings reduced to just the company name or the style, so be sure to ask to see the can or, if you’re familiar with their offerings, the color of the can before committing.
My favorites: Run Wild, Free Wave (Hazy IPA), Athletic Lite, and Witt’s Peak (Belgian Style White)
Others I Recommend
Well Being Brewery was another of the first craft breweries though this St. Louis-based company is far smaller than Athletic. I love everything they currently sell from their red ale to wheat beer. Use their store finder to see if you can pick some up near you, though they also ship to most states. Most Total Wine stores either regular carry it or can order for you.
Partake is a Canadian brewer who does only N/A beers. I’ve seen these for sale in my area (Mid-Atlantic) but also in Canada and places up near the border. Most of their beers tend to be a lighter flavor so great if you’re not into all sorts of hops or malt flavor. I like their Pale the best, especially on a hot summer day or as beer to drink without a meal.
Brewdog is a UK juggernaut that offers both leaded (alcoholic) and N/A beers world-wide. Most of their N/A beers have names that end with AF that always makes me giggle a little. Their selection changes some over time, so be sure to check in often if you like their stuff. My favorite is their Punk AF. Their Cold AF is entirely new to me, but I hope to check it out locally soon.
Finally, a big local favorite here in the DC area is Aslin that has made several N/A brews - a sour, an IPA, and a stout - though they tend to sell out fast. If your near one of their locations (DC area , VA Beach, and Pittsburgh), you can check out Pick Up to see what they’ve got. There’s also a general Distribution page for locating their offerings, in general. We go to their Alexandria location probably every two weeks as they have amazing food, are kid-friendly, and are happy to have folks hang out however long they’d like.
And Some More
I’ve had beers from most of these companies but they weren’t to my liking, though highly recommended by others. Worth checking out if they make styles you enjoy and you can get nearby.
Deschutes is a traditional brewery that also makes a handful of N/A beers
Best Day Brewing only makes N/A beers
Untitled Arts sell their N/As under a new FLVR! label
Clausthaler makes N/A beers from its home in Germany
What about Heineken 0.0? Or Bud Zero? Or ..?
Yes, almost every one of the giant (macro) breweries have their own non-alcoholic version and most are pretty similar in taste to the beers they're made from. Another Substacker (Substack writer? What do we call ourselves?) has his top five recommendations here. I’ll choose a macro when I want a beer and 1) they don’t have a craft beer I like, 2) I’m looking for something cheaper, or 3) I’ve not had it before.