So you've decided to go dry — or at least "dryish" – this July. Stick to your guns and keep dry for a good cause. But just because you're not drinking alcohol doesn't mean you have to sacrifice the great taste! And no, we're not talking about mocktails, we’re talking about non-alcoholic beer.
In today's culture, Dry July has become a cultural symbol. For those of us who are unfamiliar with the term, Dry July is a fundraising event in which participants are challenged to refrain from drinking alcohol (or go "dry") for the whole month of July in order to collect much-needed funds for cancer patients. In today's culture, Dry July has become a cultural symbol.
We wanted to share with you some of our personal favourites when it comes to non-alcoholic beer and what we will be sipping on this Dry July!
Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale
Non-alcoholic Pale Ale is similar to its alcoholic counterpart in that it is hop-forward with a malty flavour and golden in colour, but there is one difference: it is alcohol-free, as you can surely guess from the name. This implies you can drink as much beer as you want and not have a hangover. Isn't that a dream? Here are a few of our favourite alcohol free pale ales!
Big Drop Pine Trail Pale Ale
Bright and zesty, Big Drop Pale Ale delivers on taste and aroma with the alcohol removed. The beer has a light and limey citrus bite, balanced bitterness and dry aftertaste. Big Drop Pine Trail delivers on all levels with delightful rosy floral aromas. A winner at the World Beer Awards, this ultra-low alcohol pale ale is worth a second look. This beer is also only 64 calories per serve and is handcrafted here in Australia. You can’t get much better than that.
Mornington Free Pale Ale
With a taste that's like pure sunshine, Mornington Free Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale packs real beer flavour with none of the booze. Aromas of citrus and passionfruit brewed using a unique strain of yeast creates an unbelievable pale ale at only 0.5% ABV. Crisp and refreshing, crack one open on the job site or with the kids. Hits the spot any time of day.
Non-Alcoholic Lager
Whether it includes alcohol or not, this light and malty kind of beer is the same. We're talking about the larger version, which has had the alcohol removed, so you can drink as much as you want without getting that beer gut you're afraid of. Perhaps a non-alcoholic lager, which is typically a beginning point for new beer drinkers, may be your starting point on a sober exploratory journey? Here are some of our favorite lagers you need to try this Dry July.
Beneficial Beer Stone Cold Lager
Brewed for human kind, and we think you'll find it pretty damn delicious. This is a classic all malt lager, with traditional malt and estery yeast character, as well as some subtle noble hop character. It's got a lowish body, balanced with soft bitterness, making it highly drinkable and beery. In other words, exactly what you want in a beer.
Big Drop Uptown Craft Lager
Uptown Craft Lager is a flavorful brew. It's full-bodied but delicate, with subtle flowery hop scents, a hint of caramel, and peppered spice. It's gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and has a surprise orange hue to it at 0.5 percent ABV. It's ideal for balmy summer evenings.
Non-Alcoholic IPA
When you drink a non alcoholic IPA you will still be drinking the same hoppy, herbal, citrus, or fruity flavour that you usually get in your favourite full-strength IPA. This non-alcoholic craft beer will be sure to light up your senses and we promise you won’t even notice the difference. Now, let’s take a look at some of the best non-alcoholic IPA’s on the market.
Vandestreek Playground IPA
Created by brothers Ronald and Sander van de Streek, this low-alcohol beer is made with five different hop varieties. Its smooth and slightly fluffiness makes it an impressive non-alcoholic beer. It has a 0.4% ABV and was created all the way across the world in the Netherlands.
Athletic Brew Co. Run Wild IPA
The award-winning Athletic Brewery Run Wild IPA is a must-try for craft beer fans. The outcome is piney, citrusy, and well balanced, thanks to Organic Vienna malt and a mixture of five Northwest hop varieties. This easy IPA is incredibly non-alcoholic and meant to be enjoyed anywhere, at any time.
Non-Alcoholic XPA
If you're looking for a delicious, non-alcoholic beer that packing a flavour punch, XPA "Extra Pale Ale" is the perfect choice. In recent years, there has been a growing trend among beer drinkers towards XPA beers. Non alcoholic XPA beers are brewed using extra hops and malt to give them a fuller flavour. You will find most XPAs are low on bitterness, very aromatic and loaded with tropical hops.
Heaps Normal Quiet XPA
An unfiltered non-alcoholic XPA that carries tropical and citrus aromas. A subtle but noticeable malt sweetness with a well-balanced and refreshing bitterness finish. The Heaps Normal Quiet XPA is a delicious, full of flavour, refreshing beer without the downsides. Heaps Normal has created a non-alcoholic beer you can drink up to 11 and still perform at your best the next day.
Hop Nation Mind Your Head XPA
If you have been eagerly searching for a great alcohol-free beer that is still packed with delicious hops with a slight sweet yet sour taste, Hop Nation is for you! This beer cuts the alcohol content without sacrificing the hop flavour. With all the flavour of your favourite XPA just minus the booze, you'll be able to enjoy yourself without the horrible morning hangover. This beer is packed full of hops with a blend of citrus and tropical fruit flavours. It is both equally refreshing and delicious, perfect for the summer time.
Non-Alcoholic Stout
Stout, the dark, rich beer created with magnificent black patent malt that gives it its distinctive colour and flavour. When we talk about non-alcoholic or alcohol-free stout, we simply mean that it's the same stout you're used to, but with the alcohol removed. So we have a stout without the alcohol!
Upflow Stout
There's nothing like an Upflow Stout to make you feel confident and bold. The robust flavours of bittersweet chocolate and notes of espresso are brought out by the deep roasting of the malt. Combine with a Sunday roast, salty oysters, and indulgent desserts for a delicious meal. Take our word for it, or pick up a case and see for yourself. This is the perfect beer to enjoy while you go dry this July! Try it out for yourself.
Big Drop Galactic Milk Stout
The World Beer Awards have awarded this beer multiple times. This alcohol-free stout is a pleasant surprise. It's unabashedly chocolatey, with a luscious barley and hops mix that turns it into a delectable feast. Consider the taste of honeycomb dipped in dark rich chocolate. This taste is definitely worth saving and will have you covered during Dry July.
There you have it. Some of our personal favourite non-alcoholic beers here at Craftzero. When participating in Dry July or just anytime you are refraining from alcohol, you need to try these alcohol free beers. No more sacrificing the flavour of your favorite bottle or feeling out of place at a social gathering.
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Read our blog post THE TOP 10 REASONS WHY NON ALCOHOLIC BEER IS HERE TO STAY. Brewing developments and changes in how alcohol free beer is crafted have contributed to this much healthier & tastier alternative.