The Non-Alcoholic (NA) beer space has really taken a turn for the better in the last few years. The choices have become broader and better quality. Every January brings an added focus on this group with Dry January; a time of year when many alcoholic beverage drinkers dedicate themselves to a month long stint of no alcohol. Personally I don\u2019t participate in this simply because I drink NA beers throughout the year. I\u2019ve made them a part of my lifestyle. I\u2019ve pretty much given up soft drinks and sweet tea (a near heresy for a Southerner like me) and I don\u2019t drink diet drinks. I\u2019ve happily discovered that NA beers are a tasty, satisfying more healthy substitute for those other beverages for times when I don\u2019t want alcohol, but want a beer.<\/p>\n
For the avid craft beer enthusiast, NA beer can be a real challenge because if you have not given up alcoholic beer, how do you fit them in and not be disappointed? I say this because I have yet to find one that tastes exactly like some of my favorite alcoholic beers. What\u2019s the key? I have found the key to incorporating them into your lifestyle is simply in your approach. It literally is a mindset. If you expect them to taste exactly like some of your favorite alcoholic beers, you are going to be disappointed. They don\u2019t. Some get very close, but as a whole they don\u2019t. If you approach them as they truly are \u2013 a separate category of beer \u2013 you will enjoy them for what they are. When you are trying these out, the question to ask yourself is not \u2013 does this taste like XYX Brewing IPA? but does this beer taste good? Once you\u2019re able to make that mental leap, it will open up a world of possibilities for you. These beers are also better for you than soft drinks and diet drinks. Think about it. They are made from all natural ingredients (water, barley and hops), no added sugars or artificial sweeteners, use a natural fermentation process and many are lower in calories. Additionally, when you a have a get together friends and family, it\u2019s important to offer a variety of options besides you traditional alcoholic favorites. Today\u2019s NA beers offer an additional alternative that can be a conversation piece.<\/p>\n
For Dry January, I thought it would be fun and helpful to evaluate a number of the available NA beers for a blog post. The styles have really broadened out from the dark ages of O\u2019Doul\u2019s but most still concentrate around Lager, Pale Ale, IPA, Stouts and Wheat varieties. What I\u2019ve done is divide them into a few broad categories: Pale Lagers, Blonde\/Pale Ale\/IPA and Wheat (includes Hefeweizen). I\u2019ve selected a Best Of and a Runner-Up for each category. I also have a Best Overall and Runner-Up Overall. Let\u2019s start with the Best Overall.<\/p>\n
Best Overall NA Beer: Rightside Citrus Wheat<\/h2>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/letusdrinkbeer.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20210129_1245327e2.jpg?w=723\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThis was not a hard choice but it really surprised me. I had my own scoring system that emphasized flavor and overall enjoyment. After all, when you sit down to have a beer, that\u2019s primarily what you are looking for. Having been a fan of Athletic Brewing, I fully expected the brewer score out the best. To my surprise, Rightside Citrus Wheat<\/a> tied or beat Athletic Brewing Run Wild in every category except aroma, where Run Wild had a slight edge. The difference really got down to I simply enjoyed drinking the Citrus Wheat and after I finished the first one, I was ready for the next. It\u2019s visually appealing, has pleasant aromas, tastes good, not too filling and has just enough bitterness to balance the sweet malt backbone but does not linger to long nor is it too harsh. Rightside Brewing also has an IPA but I have not had the opportunity to try it yet.<\/p>\nRunner-Up NA Beer: Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA<\/h2>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/letusdrinkbeer.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201230_1201417e3.jpg?w=723\")
Athletic Brewing Run Wild NA IPA Photo: Let Us Drink Beer Blog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nI\u2019ll admit that, as a mostly Lager drinker, I personally prefer Bitburger Drive and could have easily put it in this spot. But I realize with IPA\u2019s being so popular, many craft beer drinkers will be looking for a NA beer with bold aromas, flavors and some bitterness. Run Wild IPA<\/a> delivers on all three while still maintaining a pleasant drinking experience. Overall, they have the best lineup across multiple styles: Pale\/Golden Ale, IPA, Amber Lager and Stout. I have also enjoyed two other of their products \u2013 Upside Dawn Golden Ale and Cerveza Atletica. Athletic Brewing has definitely placed themselves at the front of the pack in terms of producing the best variety of drinkable NA beers.<\/p>\nPale Lager<\/h2>\n
Beers Reviewed: Coors Edge, Heineken 0.0, Beck\u2019s NA, and Bitburger Drive<\/p>\n
Best of Pale lager: Bitburger drive<\/h4>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/letusdrinkbeer.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201230_1034287e2.jpg?w=723\")
Bitburger NA Pils Photo: Let Us Drink Beer Blog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nOf the four in this group, Bitburger Drive<\/a> stood out the most. It is a clear, brilliant gold color. Exhibits good head retention with floral and grainy aromas. Flavors are grainy and of biscuit. The beer is visually attractive, full-bodied and sweet but well balanced with bitterness. It tastes good and it\u2019s the closest to an alcoholic version of a Pilsner as you can get. It will have more bitterness than say a Heineken or Coors Edge, but it\u2019s got more flavor and aroma. <\/p>\nrunner-up pale lager: Heineken 0.0<\/h4>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/letusdrinkbeer.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201230_1050467e2.jpg?w=723\")
Heineken 0.0 NA Beer Photo: Let Us Drink Beer Blog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThis was very close between Heineken 0.0 and Coors Edge. Bitburger was easily above both of these in aroma, flavor and balance. The Heineken and Coors products will remind you of their \u201cBig Beer\u201d heritages. They are low on flavor and character plus on the sweet side. But neither tastes bad. By contrast, the Beck\u2019s NA didn\u2019t taste good at all to me. I gave Heineken the edge because it had a little more floral aroma and bitterness for balance. I would choose either one of Heineken or Coors over a soft drink while sitting poolside on a hot, humid summer afternoon in Georgia.<\/p>\n
Blonde\/Pale Ale\/IPA<\/h2>\n
Beers evaluated: Athletic Run Wild IPA, Athletic Upside Dawn Golden Ale, Bravus IPA, Partake Blonde, and Partake Pale.<\/p>\n
This was a surprisingly competitive category. The only reason I didn\u2019t split these up is, frankly, I would have had to add more brands for evaluation and it would have taken a lot more time and money to evaluate each separately. There are some good solid choices in this group.<\/p>\n
Best of Blonde\/pale ale\/ipa: Athletic Run wild IPA<\/h4>\n\nAthletic Brewing Run Wild NA IPA Photo: Let Us Drink Beer Blog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nBy now, many craft beer drinkers have discovered Athletic Brewing out of Connecticut. This brewery has busted open the NA beer IPA category with a aromatic, flavorful IPA with a bitterness that is approachable and provides balance. And 70 calories to boot. Run Wild IPA <\/a>provided citrus and pine aromas and flavors on a medium bodied backbone of sweet malt. They have grown distribution, but supply can be short, as it flies off the shelves as quickly as it hits them.<\/p>\nrunner up blonde\/pale\/ipa: bravus IPA<\/h4>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/letusdrinkbeer.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20210131_1248207e2.jpg?w=723\")
Bravus NA IPA Photo: Let Us Drink Beer Blog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nI\u2019ve had Bravus IPA<\/a> before and a really like it as a contrast to the Athletic Run Wild IPA. Bravus is a lighter pale yellow color (note the two pictures). Simcoe, Amarillo, Citra and Mosaic hops provide a plethora of citrus and pine notes but it has lighter body than Run Wild IPA and less bitterness. It drinks very easy. Between these two IPA\u2019s, you have a nice contrast in body and mouth-feel. Bravus was establish in 2015 and is located in Newport Beach, CA.<\/p>\nWheat<\/h2>\n
Beers evaluated: Krombacher Weizen Alkoholfrei, Rightside Brewing Citrus Wheat, Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen, and Erdinger Non-Alcoholic Weizenbrau.<\/p>\n
This category is tricky because it used to be dominated mostly by Hefeweizen versions; but now you are finding other wheat styles. Frankly, some of the worst tasting NA beers I\u2019ve had are in this category. Surprisingly these two stand outs. Wellbeing Brewing has Victory Citrus Wheat<\/a> that I had months ago that I recall was pretty good, but I could not track any down for this session.<\/p>\nbest of wheat: Rightside brewing citrus wheat<\/h4>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThis was not a hard choice but it really surprised me. I had my own scoring system that emphasized flavor and overall enjoyment. After all, when you sit down to have a beer, that\u2019s primarily what you are looking for. Having been a fan of Athletic Brewing, I fully expected the brewer score out the best. To my surprise, Rightside Citrus Wheat<\/a> tied or beat Athletic Brewing Run Wild in every category except aroma, where Run Wild had a slight edge. The difference really got down to I simply enjoyed drinking the Citrus Wheat and after I finished the first one, I was ready for the next. It\u2019s visually appealing, has pleasant aromas, tastes good, not too filling and has just enough bitterness to balance the sweet malt backbone but does not linger to long nor is it too harsh. Rightside Brewing also has an IPA but I have not had the opportunity to try it yet.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll admit that, as a mostly Lager drinker, I personally prefer Bitburger Drive and could have easily put it in this spot. But I realize with IPA\u2019s being so popular, many craft beer drinkers will be looking for a NA beer with bold aromas, flavors and some bitterness. Run Wild IPA<\/a> delivers on all three while still maintaining a pleasant drinking experience. Overall, they have the best lineup across multiple styles: Pale\/Golden Ale, IPA, Amber Lager and Stout. I have also enjoyed two other of their products \u2013 Upside Dawn Golden Ale and Cerveza Atletica. Athletic Brewing has definitely placed themselves at the front of the pack in terms of producing the best variety of drinkable NA beers.<\/p>\n Beers Reviewed: Coors Edge, Heineken 0.0, Beck\u2019s NA, and Bitburger Drive<\/p>\n Of the four in this group, Bitburger Drive<\/a> stood out the most. It is a clear, brilliant gold color. Exhibits good head retention with floral and grainy aromas. Flavors are grainy and of biscuit. The beer is visually attractive, full-bodied and sweet but well balanced with bitterness. It tastes good and it\u2019s the closest to an alcoholic version of a Pilsner as you can get. It will have more bitterness than say a Heineken or Coors Edge, but it\u2019s got more flavor and aroma. <\/p>\n This was very close between Heineken 0.0 and Coors Edge. Bitburger was easily above both of these in aroma, flavor and balance. The Heineken and Coors products will remind you of their \u201cBig Beer\u201d heritages. They are low on flavor and character plus on the sweet side. But neither tastes bad. By contrast, the Beck\u2019s NA didn\u2019t taste good at all to me. I gave Heineken the edge because it had a little more floral aroma and bitterness for balance. I would choose either one of Heineken or Coors over a soft drink while sitting poolside on a hot, humid summer afternoon in Georgia.<\/p>\n Beers evaluated: Athletic Run Wild IPA, Athletic Upside Dawn Golden Ale, Bravus IPA, Partake Blonde, and Partake Pale.<\/p>\n This was a surprisingly competitive category. The only reason I didn\u2019t split these up is, frankly, I would have had to add more brands for evaluation and it would have taken a lot more time and money to evaluate each separately. There are some good solid choices in this group.<\/p>\n By now, many craft beer drinkers have discovered Athletic Brewing out of Connecticut. This brewery has busted open the NA beer IPA category with a aromatic, flavorful IPA with a bitterness that is approachable and provides balance. And 70 calories to boot. Run Wild IPA <\/a>provided citrus and pine aromas and flavors on a medium bodied backbone of sweet malt. They have grown distribution, but supply can be short, as it flies off the shelves as quickly as it hits them.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve had Bravus IPA<\/a> before and a really like it as a contrast to the Athletic Run Wild IPA. Bravus is a lighter pale yellow color (note the two pictures). Simcoe, Amarillo, Citra and Mosaic hops provide a plethora of citrus and pine notes but it has lighter body than Run Wild IPA and less bitterness. It drinks very easy. Between these two IPA\u2019s, you have a nice contrast in body and mouth-feel. Bravus was establish in 2015 and is located in Newport Beach, CA.<\/p>\n Beers evaluated: Krombacher Weizen Alkoholfrei, Rightside Brewing Citrus Wheat, Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen, and Erdinger Non-Alcoholic Weizenbrau.<\/p>\n This category is tricky because it used to be dominated mostly by Hefeweizen versions; but now you are finding other wheat styles. Frankly, some of the worst tasting NA beers I\u2019ve had are in this category. Surprisingly these two stand outs. Wellbeing Brewing has Victory Citrus Wheat<\/a> that I had months ago that I recall was pretty good, but I could not track any down for this session.<\/p>\nRunner-Up NA Beer: Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA<\/h2>\n
Pale Lager<\/h2>\n
Best of Pale lager: Bitburger drive<\/h4>\n
runner-up pale lager: Heineken 0.0<\/h4>\n
Blonde\/Pale Ale\/IPA<\/h2>\n
Best of Blonde\/pale ale\/ipa: Athletic Run wild IPA<\/h4>\n
runner up blonde\/pale\/ipa: bravus IPA<\/h4>\n
Wheat<\/h2>\n
best of wheat: Rightside brewing citrus wheat<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/letusdrinkbeer.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20210129_1244487e2.jpg?w=723\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/letusdrinkbeer.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20201230_1104427e2.jpg?w=723\")