In the previous few years, non-alcoholic beers have definitely come a very long way. Don’t get us wrong, there are some truly awful ones out there. However, there are numerous brands that produce high-quality non-alcoholic beers and lagers, some of which are comparable in taste, aroma, and body to their higher-ABV counterparts.
So what makes a great stout? What are the characteristics? The yeasts are activated and act at a high temperature, around 20°-22°, which gives it distinctive qualities. The used malts contribute to coffee, chocolate, and liquorice aromas to the beer, while the malts in Stouts are treated to a long toasting process, which results in a dark colour ranging from dark brown to black, as well as a toasted, burned, and bitter flavour.
Non-alcoholic beer alternatives aren't new, but their popularity has soared in the last three years, especially since the pandemic. All of the beers listed below have an ABV of 0.5 percent or below meaning they are completely alcohol free. We wanted to share with you some of the best non-alcoholic stouts to drink this winter.
Big Drop Galactic Milk Stout
Next up on our list we have Big Drop Galactic Milk Stout. The World Beer Awards have awarded this beer multiple times for its great stout taste. 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 chocolate. That rich flavour that is worth savouring. This beer will not disappoint and even better, it is completely alcohol-free with only a mere 91 calories per serve. You can essentially now drink a stout beer with the same great taste while doing anything, you can go on a road trip with your mates and crack open a box of Big Drop non-alcoholic stouts. Big Drop also brews all of their beer locally here in Australia.
Upflow Stout
Second on our list of the best stouts this winter is Upflow stout which is also completely alcohol free. 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. It is best paired alongside a Sunday roast, salty oysters, and indulgent desserts for a delicious meal. Upflow is true to its taste and accurately replicates the stouts we know and love. If you are trying to cut back on your alcohol intake but you really love a great stout that is true to its flavour, then we highly suggest trying Upflow.
Road Runner Alcohol Free Coffee Stout
Finally, the top non-alcoholic stout beer on this list is the Road Runner Alcohol-free Coffee Stout. Road Runner is a premium alcohol-free coffee stout created in Hamburg by a professional craft brewer who previously created the award-winning ü.NN IPA. This stout is a delicious blend of coffee and non-alcoholic beer. During the brewing process, the yeast in Road Runner ferments for a short time before running out of carbohydrates and producing 0.4 percent ABV. The beans were purchased directly from coffee growers and roasted in Hamburg, resulting in a robust coffee flavour. This stout is best served cold, with a malty aroma and a hint of chocolate. This beer combines the best of both worlds, beer and coffee! If you are looking for something a little different while also being alcohol free then Road Runner coffee stout is a great place to start. Not only is it alcohol free but like many others on this list, it is low in calories with only 106 per serve, definitely not the lowest on this list but still impressive in comparison to your classic alcoholic stout.
And there you have it. Some of the best non-alcoholic Stout beers we highly recommend you give a try this winter. If you are a stout lover like us here over at Craftzero then these alcohol free alternatives will certainly not disappoint. It can be hard to find that same great taste you know and love in alcohol free options, with many tasting nothing like the real thing. These 3 stouts are the exception, they are classic yet unique in flavour. You can find all of these stouts for sale on our website.
Explore our range of non-alcoholic beer here.
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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.