7 Non-Alcoholic Beers To Smash This Summer
There’s nothing better than kicking back with mates and smashing a few cold brews on a hot summer’s day — except maybe doing it hangover-free! Non-alcoholic beer has come a long way in the past few years and the benefits of incorporating non-alcoholic beer into rotation are significant. What was once watery tasteless swill, is now a like-for-like, beautiful, crafty, beery drinking experience. In most cases, you can’t even taste the difference between the best non-alcoholic beer and an alcoholic beer. Technology has come a long way and both the big commercial breweries, and the smaller craft boys are constantly working on ways to create the best-tasting non-alcoholic beer.
So whether you are after a straight-up commercial lager, a super hoppy IPA, or a chocolatey stout, we have a non-alcoholic beer for you. In no particular order, here are our top picks of the best non-alcoholic beers to enjoy this summer.
1. Lager Day Saints
The brand
Lager Day Saints is the brainchild of dedicated low and non-alcoholic brewers Sheep in Wolf's Clothing.
The taste
Highly sessionable, Lager Day Saints is a super refreshing Munich Helles style non-alcoholic beer fit for all you lager fans. This non-alcoholic lager is crisp, refreshing and delivers on flavour as a traditional lager.
Worth noting
SiWC are based in the UK but saw the demand here in Australia and started brewing here too. That means only the freshest cans for you!
What beer fans are saying
“Lager Day Saints is a great thirst-quenching, non-alcoholic beer for long Summer afternoon sessions. Very light and fresh in flavour, with a satisfying golden colour, it's easy to keep drinking this beer.”
2. Mash Gang Chug XPA
The brand
Mash Gang are one of the fastest-growing Gypsy Brewers in the UK and are bringing their unique brand of fun and craziness to Australian non-alcoholic beer. Some of their crazier concoctions to date have included cereal and candy profiles.
The taste
Mash Gang Chug is a non-alcoholic XPA that features hazy, juicy new world hops, medium bitterness with a soft and fluffy body.
Worth noting
Mash Gang Chugg features Galaxy, Citra, El Dorado, Amaillo and Vic Secret hops.
What beer fans are saying
“This XPA has everything you would expect. A bang of fruitiness. A bitterness that hits with just the right amount of punch and a crispness that is refreshingly easy to drink.”
3. Heaps Normal Quiet XPA
The brand
Heaps Normal is one of Australia’s fastest-growing dedicated non-alcoholic breweries. Their range includes the Another Lager and a soon to be released Hazy Pale Ale. It all began in 2020 with the Heaps Normal Quiet XPA.
The taste
A favourite among many non-alcoholic beer drinkers, the Quiet XPA’s unfiltered body carries tropical and citrus aromas, completed by a subtle flavour of malt sweetness and a well-balanced bitter finish.
Worth noting
Heaps Normal was founded by a crew of four beer-loving mates who wanted great options for when they were choosing to not drink. The lineup included pro-surfer Jordy Smith.
What beer fans are saying
“This is a great beer! You can’t tell by taste that it’s non-alcoholic, which is why we love it!”
4. Wellbeing Hellraiser Dark Amber
The brand
Wellbeing Hellraiser Dark Amber is a non-alcoholic amber ale that comes to us from the USA. Wellbeing is a dedicated non-alcoholic brewery with a focus on quality craft beers.
The taste
This hop-forward amber has the perfect balance of floral aroma and spicy hops to delight the palate of all non-alcoholic craft beer enthusiasts. There is a brilliant caramel richness to it that gives you a well-rounded drinking experience.
Worth noting
Wellbeing founder Jeff Stevens considers himself to be a ‘non-alcoholic’ and after years off the booze, is passionate about reframing the stigma around not drinking alcohol.
What beer fans are saying
“I got this as part of a mixed package a while ago and it was, for me, the standout. The biggest problem is that I prefer this to the other non-alcoholic beers I've ordered and I'm going through it a bit fast!”
5. Big Drop Pine Trail Pale Ale
The brand
Big Drop are a UK based, dedicated non-alcoholic brewery who have been at the forefront of the non-alcoholic beer scene since 2016. They have a core range of 6 award winning beers and regularly add in seasonal releases.
The taste
Big Drop Pine Trail Pale Ale is everything you want in a pale ale, alcoholic or not. Rosy floral aromas develop immediately as you pour it, with a light and limey citrus bite on the palate that’s nicely balanced but obvious bitterness to finish. Bright and zesty, it will satisfy the fussiest pale ale lover.
Worth noting
Big Drop Pine Trail Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale has won the World Beer Awards — twice. Also, in the UK where Big Drop are based, they are commonly found on tap in pubs!
What beer fans are saying
“Best non-alcoholic beer I've tried so far”
6. Mornington Free Non-Alc Pale Ale
The brand
The Mornington Free Non-Alc Pale Ale is the first non-alcoholic beer offering from Melbourne craft brewers Mornington Peninsula Brewery. Made using a unique recipe to slow ferment the beer to less than 0.5% ABV, this non-alcoholic beer delivers on flavour.
The taste
The Mornington Free Non-Alc Pale Ale has a full-bodied taste that features bold passionfruit and citrus aromas. It’s an easy-going, crisp, refreshing non-alcoholic beer that is highly sessionable.
Worth noting
Though primarily an alcoholic brewery, Mornington Peninsula has two in their non-alcoholic beer range. If tropical fruit notes are your thing you can also try their excellent Non-Alc XPA.
What beer fans are saying
“This easy-drinking pale ale pours beautifully, is refreshing and very sessionable. Extremely good value.”
7. Upflow Pale Lager - Hypotonic Hydration
The brand
Upflow is an Australian based, dedicated non-alcoholic brewery that is striving to make the world's best tasting non-alcoholic beer. Founder Julian Sanders has worked in the beer technology space for many years and in 2019, founded Upflow in a bid to be more socially conscious.
The taste
The Upflow Pale Lager is a pale, delicately flavoured lager that is clean, crisp and ultimately refreshing. Ever so slightly hoppy and bitter, it’s also super dry and satisfying.
Worth noting
This one is for all the sports fans! Not only is the Upflow Pale Lager a refreshing non-alcoholic beer, but it has also added magnesium and vitamins that aid post-workout recovery. You can now enjoy an icy cold beer after your training session or run without feeling guilty!
What beer fans are saying
“Great post-exercise for those who are keen on beer but not the alcohol. Rehydrate with this for a satisfying post-workout drink rather than boring water all the time.”
Ready to crack a cold one open?
With Craftzero’s extensive range of the best non-alcoholic beer in Australia and the world, you can enjoy a good summer session without any of the alcohol downsides. If you’re not sure where to start, suss out our epic Seasonal Beer Box, where we select the best non-alcoholic beers to get you started!
