Not so long ago, non-alcoholic beer was rarely ordered in pubs and bars and often left untouched on supermarket shelves.
However, in recent years, a change in mindset from many consumers, along with new brewing techniques and a focus on craftsmanship, has increased its popularity.
Today, many companies (including top Australian craft breweries) have found innovative ways to create zero-alcohol beers that still have the delicious taste of traditional beer but without the capability of getting you trollied.
As we approach Dry July, you may wonder what options are available to order or buy in the zero-alcohol beer range. To help you out, here is a list of 21 of the best and most exciting brands that are just as tasty as their alcoholic counterparts.
Try any of these, and you’ll barely notice the difference.
Garage Project Fizz Palace Low Alcohol Phantasm Sour
This Kiwi brand is absolutely delicious. A mouthful in both name and taste, the beer is aromatic, crisp, effervescent, and refreshing.
It is also naturally sourced and fermented, with New Zealand-grown malts, hops and wheat, giving it gooseberry, passionfruit, feijoa, and fresh citrus acidity flavours. It’s a top choice for those seeking a low-alcohol beer.
Coopers Birell Ultra Light
You may have noticed Coopers-brewed malt liquor and alcohol-free beers at the Bottle-O.
It is the first attempt by Adelaide-based brewery Birell Ultra Light to create a non-alcoholic beverage that truly mimics the taste and refreshment of regular beer.
On the first indication, it is a beverage that punters find refreshing and easy to drink.
UpFlow Stout Alcohol Free
Are you wanting a delicious non-alcoholic beer as an alternative drink for when you are driving? Then keep UpFlow on your radar.
This brewery differentiates itself from others by offering microbrewery-level flavours in its zero-alcohol beers.
If you are not convinced, then check out their alcohol-free Pavlova pale ale or their surprising Alcohol-Free Stout. It is made from pure malt and packed with rich flavours of espresso, roasted malt and bittersweet chocolate.
Think of it like an espresso martini in beer form – complex, balanced and highly drinkable. If you try
UpFlow, you’ll undoubtedly taste a difference.
Beneficial Beer Co. Stone Cold Lager
At the top of many beer enthusiasts’ non-alcoholic lists is Beneficial Beer’s Stone Cold Lager.
Created by Bruce Peachey, this non-alcoholic beer won the Royal Bronze Melbourne at the Australian International Beer Awards. So it is a top-class choice for those who want to try something new.
Offering a traditional yeast and malt flavour with a subtle hop taste, it has a balanced, soft bitterness, refreshing traditional flavours and low-key hops that make it a delicious option.
Mornington Peninsula Free Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale
The Mornington Peninsula is an excellent choice for those looking for somewhere in Victoria to try out some new beer, especially if they want it to have a very low alcohol content.
It is home to the Mornington Peninsula Brewery, which has created the delightful Mornington Free Pale Ale.
Brewed using a special recipe that restricts fermentation to no more than 0.5% ABV while maintaining the full flavour, the beer is a fresh and approachable craft ale.
When you try it out, you’ll taste a mix of citrus aromas and bold passionfruit, which are poured into a light-golden, smooth, and unexpected brew.
NORT
Jaz Wearin, the founder of the Modus Operandi brewing company in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, is the brainchild behind Australia’s first female-led non-alcoholic beer company.
As a parent company, it owns NORT, one of Australia’s up-and-coming beer brands in the alcohol-free category.
They have developed a superb range of diverse and tasty zero-alcohol beers, including Refreshing Ale, Pacific Ale, Tropical XPA, and All Day IPA.
The most popular choice is the Refreshing Ale, a well-crafted non-alcoholic beer with a golden hue, fruity scent, and a clean, refreshing taste.
It, as well as the others, is available to all across Australia.
Big Drop Pine Trail Low Alcohol Pale Ale
Big Drop, the first company to introduce non-alcoholic craft ales to Australia, has reinvented three classic Australian beers – a lager, a pale ale, and an IPA – all with extensive hop notes.
The Big Drop Pine Trail Pale Ale stands out as the best among the Australian low-alcohol beers on this list. It is brewed in the American pale ale style, offering floral aromas, a light citrusy bite, and a crisp bitter finish.
This award-winning craft beer was named the World’s Best Low Alcohol Ale at the World Beer Awards 2020. It is the kind of beer you will really enjoy with a group of mates around a warm campfire.
Surreal Brewing
Surreal is an accomplished craft brewer specialising in producing high-quality, alcohol-free beer.
They take a traditional approach and create low-alcohol versions of popular Australian beer types, such as IPA and Porter. If you try them today, you’ll see what makes them stand out against their competitors.
Bridge Road Free Time Alcohol-Free Pale Ale
Beechworth pale ale, made by Bridge Road, has been a popular craft beer in Australia for a few years. But with the launch of their zero-alcohol version, you can enjoy somewhat of a similar experience.
As its name suggests, the Free Time pale ale is brewed in the charming town of Beechworth in Victoria’s northeast. It offers a refreshing taste with a crisp finish resulting from a low bitterness and juicy hops aroma.
This non-alcoholic beer is perfect for any occasion and can be chilled in the fridge. In terms of sales, it is one of the best non-alcoholic beers available in Australia.
Holgate Love All Pale Ale
Holgate Brewhouse, a family-owned brewery just outside of Melbourne, has produced high-quality beers for over two decades.
Their non-alcoholic option is no exception, boasting a full and fruity flavour that makes it the perfect refreshing beverage for a sunny afternoon at the cricket, in the park for a picnic or down by the South Yarra.
Heaps Normal Quiet Ultra-Low Alcohol XPA
This particular brew from Heaps Normal Brewery tastes like any other Extra Pale Ale, but it’s ultra-low on alcohol, making it a unique option in today’s world.
Despite the absence of alcohol, the Quiet XPA is bursting with tropical and citrus aromas. It’s unfiltered, with a balanced bitterness and subtle malt sweetness, and tastes just like old times.
Heaps Normal’s mission is to make drinking non-alcoholic beer feel normal, and the fruity and refreshing taste of their Quiet XPA is a testament to their success in achieving this goal. We’d even say it’s one of the best low-alcohol beers made in Australia right now.
James Squire Zero
James Squire is known for its delicious pale ales and lagers, and it’s no surprise that they also make a tremendous non-alcoholic beer.
With all the flavour and none of the alcohol, it’s precisely what you’d want in a non-alcoholic beer. Once you try it, you are sure to be impressed.
Hop Nation Mind Ya Head Alcohol Free
Hop Nation, a brewery based in Melbourne, has significantly impacted Australia’s alcohol-free industry since 2014.
Their non-alcoholic beer, Mind Ya Head, stands out from others as it is entirely free of alcohol while still providing a hoppy taste.
Additionally, Hop Nation not only offers a flavorful XPA but also supports a native tree-planting fund that allows Australians to contribute to a good cause while enjoying their beer.
The brewery donates every dollar from the first 100 cases sold to the Sunshine Reserve Committee and Planet Ark’s Seedling Bank. Let’s raise a glass to that!
Peroni Libera 0.0%
Peroni’s Libera 0.0% beer, a clean European lager, is a great choice for those seeking a non-alcoholic option.
Many online reviews, including those on Dan Murphy, have praised its taste, claiming it to be the best non-alcoholic beer they’ve ever had.
While this praise is undoubtedly subjective, if the number of people who have commented favourably about it is anything to go by, these claims are not an over-exaggeration.
Erdinger Alkoholfrei
If you’re after a tasty beer that won’t give you a hangover, Erdinger’s ‘Alkoholfrei ‘Is what you need.
This ultra-low-alcohol option has become quite popular, with many enthusiasts noting its full-bodied taste.
As non-alcoholic beers go, this one is right out of the top drawer.
Athletic Brewing co.
Athletic Brewing, a US import, has gained over 50% of the craft non-alcoholic beer market in the States by using sport-first branding and receiving support from influential figures like Lance Armstrong and David Chang.
They are now expanding their reach to Australia by launching their non-alcoholic IPA and Golden Ale. Whether it enjoys the same success here as it does in America, time will tell. But the company has given themselves every chance of achieving this by producing a wonderful brew.
Range Brewing Non Alcoholic Low-Key Pale Ale
Searching for a non-alcoholic beer with a bold taste? Try Range Brewing’s Low-Key Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale from Queensland.
This 330mL can is packed with the flavours of two popular fruits, making it the perfect on-the-go beverage.
Despite its lack of alcohol, it still has the delicious taste of a pale ale, thanks to the use of Citra hops. Best of all, you won’t have to deal with any hangovers after enjoying this beverage.
Corona Cero non-alcoholic beer
Fans of Corona beer can now enjoy a new option in the non-alcoholic beer market from the well-known Mexican brand.
This beverage offers a refreshing taste without any alcohol content. Just remember to add lime for that classic Corona taste!
Heineken 0.0%
Heineken Zero is a popular zero-alcohol lager from the famous brewery. It is highly regarded for its fruity taste, which is achieved by brewing it in the same way as full-strength beer, using special yeast.
The alcohol is then gently removed to ensure a clean, crisp taste. Just like their more famous alcoholic version, this beer is a delight to drink.
Sobah
Sobah Brewing Co. in West Burleigh, Australia, is renowned for creating non-alcoholic craft beer using traditional bush tucker ingredients.
It’s a First Nations-owned and led company, and its beers are delicious, whether or not they contain alcohol. Try them today, and prepare to be blown away!
Great Northern Brewing Co. Zero
Great Northern is known for producing beer suitable for the hottest climates. The alcohol content is purposely kept low so the beer can be consumed quickly while remaining cold.
It has made their mid-strength beers very popular in Australia. Additionally, they have mastered the art of making delicious non-alcoholic beer without the need for reverse osmosis, which is cool if you ask us.