The short answer: Big Drop is a UK brewery that has made only alcohol-free beer since 2016. It brews to under 0.5% ABV without removing alcohol afterwards. Two Big Drop beers are in stock at Craft Zero right now: Pine Trail Pale Ale and Paradiso Citra IPA. Start with Pine Trail.
Disclosure: In the words of our own Big Drop FAQ, "Craftzero is proud to announce that it is the exclusive licensed brewer of Big Drop and produces Paradiso IPA, Reef Point, Milk Stout and Pine Trail non-alcoholic beers right here in Australia." We have tried to keep this guide factual, but you should know we have a direct commercial interest in these beers.
How we chose: brand history comes from Big Drop's own website and published press. ABV, stock and nutrition come from our product pages.
Who is Big Drop?
Big Drop Brewing Co was launched in 2016 by Rob Fink with his school friend and bandmate James Kindred. At the time Rob was a lawyer in the City of London; James is a designer and entrepreneur. According to Big Drop's own story, the idea came from Rob taking a break from alcohol as a new father and finding nothing worth drinking.
The pair brought in experimental brewer Johnny Clayton, formerly of Wild Beer Co, to work out how to brew full-flavoured beer to 0.5% ABV without stripping the alcohol out afterwards. Their first release was a milk stout. Big Drop says its range is now sold in more than twenty countries.
The brand has done well in competitions. In 2022 the Suffolk Live newspaper reported that Big Drop had been named "World's Best" seven times at the World Beer Awards. It also reported that Paradiso Citra IPA won the IPA category at the 2020 awards against full-strength beers.
You can also read our interview with co-founder James Kindred in Meet JK, co-founder of Big Drop Brewing Co.
How Big Drop brews alcohol-free beer
Many non-alcoholic beers are brewed to full strength and then have the alcohol removed. Big Drop takes a different route. It controls how much alcohol forms in the first place, so the finished beer never goes above 0.5% ABV.
Big Drop says it uses barley, rye, wheat and oats, with more than twenty speciality grains across its range, to build body and flavour. Our Big Drop FAQ page explains that the beers are low gluten rather than gluten free, so they are not a gluten-free choice. If you need gluten free, see our guide to gluten-free non-alcoholic beer.
The Big Drop range compared
| Beer | Style | ABV | Calories per 100ml | Stock | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Trail Pale Ale | Pale ale, 355ml | <0.5% | 17 | In stock | Shop now |
| Paradiso Citra IPA | IPA, 355ml | <0.5% | See can | In stock | Shop now |
| Reef Point Craft Lager | Lager, 355ml | <0.5% | See can | Out of stock | View |
| Galactic Milk Stout | Milk stout, 355ml | <0.5% | 31 | Out of stock | View |
| Poolside DDH IPA | Double dry-hopped IPA, 355ml | <0.5% | 27.2 | Out of stock | View |
Stock moves quickly on Big Drop, so check the Big Drop collection for the latest.
The beers in more detail
Pine Trail Pale Ale
Pine Trail is our best-selling Big Drop beer, with more than 2,500 sold. It opens with rosy, floral aromas and piney hops, then moves to light lime and citrus over a gentle malt sweetness before a clean, bitter finish. It lists 17 calories per 100ml. Best for: anyone who wants an easy-drinking, classic pale ale. Shop Pine Trail Pale Ale.
Paradiso Citra IPA
Paradiso is the punchier option. Citra hops bring grapefruit, lemon, passionfruit and tropical fruit over a light toffee malt base, with clean bitterness and a crisp finish. More than 1,000 have sold at Craft Zero. It is also vegan according to our listing. Best for: hop lovers who want a bright, citrusy IPA. Shop Paradiso Citra IPA.
Reef Point, Galactic Milk Stout and Poolside
These three are out of stock at the time of writing. Reef Point is a golden, malt-led lager with a honey aroma. Galactic Milk Stout is a rich cocoa, coffee and roasted malt stout (a stout was Big Drop's first release). Poolside is a hazy, double dry-hopped IPA with tropical fruit. We will update this guide when they return.
Best Big Drop starter picks
- New to Big Drop: Pine Trail Pale Ale. It is balanced and easy to like.
- Hop lover: Paradiso Citra IPA.
- Stocking the fridge: the Big Drop Brothers Bundle has eight Pine Trail and eight Paradiso.
- Comparing pale ales: the Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale Trio Sampler puts Pine Trail alongside pale ales from Heaps Normal and Bridge Road Brewers.
How Big Drop fits the wider range
Big Drop sits in the heart of the craft end of alcohol-free beer: full-flavoured pale ales and IPAs in 355ml cans. If you enjoy Big Drop, our guide to the best non-alcoholic beer in Australia covers other styles and brewers worth trying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Big Drop beer from?
Big Drop Brewing Co was founded in the UK in 2016. Craftzero is the exclusive licensed brewer of Big Drop in Australia and brews Paradiso IPA, Reef Point, Milk Stout and Pine Trail here, according to our Big Drop FAQ.
Is Big Drop beer alcohol free?
Big Drop beers are under 0.5% ABV rather than 0.0%. If you want 0.0%, check the ABV on each product page before you buy.
How is Big Drop made without removing alcohol?
Big Drop controls how much alcohol forms during brewing, so the beer stays under 0.5% ABV without a separate de-alcoholisation step.
Is Big Drop gluten free?
No. Big Drop uses barley, rye, wheat and oats. Our Big Drop FAQ describes the beers as low gluten.
Which Big Drop beer should I try first?
Pine Trail Pale Ale is our most popular Big Drop beer and the easiest place to start.
