7 Best Non-Alcoholic Beers That Will Satisfy the Pickiest Palates
These non-alcoholic IPAs, stouts, and wheat beers taste just like the real deal.
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Beer connoisseurs have their pick of a seemingly endless variety of options to satisfy their taste for suds. There are old standbys, like Budweiser and Heineken, craft beers, and even nitrogen-infused options that offer smaller bubbles and a smoother finish. But what if drinking alcohol isn't your style, or perhaps you're in training mode for a race and looking to enjoy the taste of your favorite beer, but not the headache the following day?
Luckily, just because you choose not to imbibe doesn't mean you can't enjoy a refreshing brewski with your buds. In fact, non-alcoholic beer has improved by leaps and bounds in the past few years, with delicious options for every type of beer lover. We've gathered some of the tastiest alcohol-free beer options out there, from IPAs to stouts to hoppy beverages for those who prefer a lighter—or gluten-free—option.
Whether you're choosing to stay sober for your health, or are looking for a post-run beer that won't interfere with recovery, these alcohol-free beers are a delicious alternative to traditional beer—and we're pretty sure that if we didn't tell you, you wouldn't be able t0 tell the difference.
Heavenly Body tasted more like its alcoholic peers than any other alcohol-free beer in our testing. The minimally-hopped ale reminded us of craft beer classics Blue Moon Belgian White and Widmer Hefe, thanks to its soft, doughy wheat flavor.
While Heavenly Body is more American in style, lacking the Belgian-style spice notes of the aforementioned brews, it will still satisfy any wheat beer fan.
Brewed with Mosaic and Citra hops—both darlings in the IPA world—Run Wild nails the taste and smell of a session IPA or well-hopped pale ale. However, like most non-alcoholic beers, the malt is a little sweeter and the body is a little lighter.
That said, most beer lovers wouldn't be able to tell this apart from a full-strength IPA—and at just 70 calories per can, it won't compromise your weight loss goals if consumed in moderation.
Bravus nails the full-body feel of a great stout. It's exceedingly smooth and lands on the sweeter side of the stout style, though it lacks the familiar roast of a Guinness or Samuel Smith. Instead, it features more caramel and nutty malt flavors.
If you love the taste of Heineken, you're sure to love the brand's 0.0 version, which has all the flavor you're accustomed to without any of the alcohol. It tastes almost identical to traditional Heineken, and won't raise any eyebrows if you are concerned about people asking why you aren't drinking.
IPA fans will love this juicy, fruity beer. It has the fresh fullness of a typical IPA in both taste and its orange-hued appearance. Brewed right up until the point of alcohol formation, it contains less than 0.5% alcohol, and has only 37 calories per can, making it possibly the lightest IPA in existence.
Ceria Brewing Co. was created by Keith Villa, the founder of Blue Moon, so it's no surprise this non-alcoholic beer has a robust and satisfying flavor profile. Ceria makes an IPA and a Belgian-style witbier, both of which contain 0% alcohol and have half the calories of similar traditional beers.
Thanks to their rich flavor, you wouldn't know that these are alcohol-free if you didn't read the label. In addition to alcohol-free brews, Ceria also makes THC-infused beers that can be found at licensed dispensaries.
This beverage is truly alcohol-free at 0% alcohol content. Though not technically a beer, it is a "beer inspired beverage"—think beer-flavored seltzer.
Don't let that deter you if you're typically a beer purist, however: It's actually refreshing, highly carbonated, and flavored with malt barley and hops. Plus, there are no artificial flavors or sweeteners, so it's easy on the stomach.
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.
Matt Allyn has written and edited for Men's Health, Men's Journal, Men's Fitness, Bicycling, Popular Mechanics, and Runner's World magazines. He's run 10 marathons and come heartbreakingly close to BQing three times. In addition to running, cycling, and never skipping leg day, he's also covered beer for almost two decades and is a certified beer judge.
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