Five years ago, NA beer was O'Doul's and nothing else. Today, dedicated NA breweries are producing IPAs, stouts, and sours that rival their alcoholic counterparts. The category has gone from joke to legitimate craft movement.
How NA Beer Is Made
Three primary methods: dealcoholization (brew normally, then remove alcohol via heat or vacuum), arrested fermentation (stop before alcohol develops), and simulated fermentation (skip fermentation entirely). Each produces different flavor profiles. The best breweries use vacuum dealcoholization to preserve hop character.
Best NA IPAs
IPAs are the strongest category in NA beer. The hop-forward flavor profile masks the absence of alcohol better than any other style. Athletic Brewing's Run Wild set the standard, but newcomers are pushing boundaries with hazy, double-dry-hopped, and West Coast styles.
Best NA Stouts & Dark Beers
Roasted malt flavors translate well to NA. Guinness 0.0 proved a major brand could do it right. Bravus Oatmeal Stout adds creamy body that doesn't feel watered down.
Best NA Lagers & Wheat Beers
These are the trickiest — lagers rely on clean, subtle flavors where missing alcohol is most noticeable. The best NA lagers compensate with superior water quality and German-style brewing precision.
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NA Beer vs. Other Alcohol Alternatives
Beer drinkers specifically may prefer NA beer over other alternatives because it fits the same rituals — six-packs, barbecues, game day. For broader options beyond beer, explore our complete non-alcoholic drinks guide. Want wine instead? See best non-alcoholic wine. For cocktail lovers, check best NA spirits for cocktails. Or browse everything on our alcohol alternatives directory.
Functional Benefits of NA Beer
NA beer is surprisingly functional — it's isotonic, contains B vitamins, and some studies suggest the hops promote relaxation (via the compound xanthohumol). For drinks specifically formulated for calm, see our best NA drinks for anxiety relief guide, or for sleep, NA drinks for better sleep.
NA Beer vs. THC Seltzers
Some beer lovers are gravitating toward THC seltzers — they offer a similar format (carbonated, can-based) with an added functional buzz. Curious about potency? See Are THC Seltzers Strong? and compare them side-by-side with alcohol in THC Drinks vs Alcohol.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best tasting non alcoholic beer?
Athletic Brewing's Run Wild IPA and Guinness 0.0 consistently top taste tests. Bravus and Partake also earn high marks for their craft-forward approach.
Is non alcoholic beer good for you?
NA beer is lower in calories than regular beer, contains B vitamins and polyphenols, and causes no liver damage. Some athletes use it as a post-workout recovery drink.
Does NA beer have any alcohol?
Most NA beers contain <0.5% ABV. Some brands (like Heineken 0.0 and Athletic Brewing) achieve true 0.0% ABV.
Can non alcoholic beer make you drunk?
No. The trace alcohol in NA beer (<0.5% ABV) is physiologically insignificant. You'd need to drink 10+ in an hour to approach the effect of one regular beer.
Is NA beer safe during pregnancy?
Most doctors consider 0.0% ABV options safe, but consult your healthcare provider. Many pregnant women choose NA beer as a social alternative.
How many calories are in non alcoholic beer?
Typically 50–100 calories per 12 oz serving — about half the calories of regular beer. Some ultra-light NA beers have as few as 25 calories.
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