Non-Alcoholic Beer

We’ve had so many questions coming in about non-alcoholic beer, we have compiled a summary of FAQ's just for you curious lot. Here are all the answers to the nitty-gritty beer bits and bobs you’ve been wondering about:

What is non-alcoholic beer?

Non-alcoholic beer is just as it sounds, it is beer that’s contains 0.5% or less ABV (Alcohol by Volume). That's about the same as juice or Kombucha! The beer can be crafted this way by using a special yeast and limiting the alcohol production or it can be regular alcoholic-beer that has undergone a de-alcoholisation process which removes the alcohol before bottling, similar to how they make non-alcoholic wine.

What are the benefits of alcohol-free beer?

Also referred to as zero alcohol beer, it is the perfect substitute to regular beer and can be enjoyed by those who are off the wagon, for whatever reason.

Drinking alcohol-free beer comes with a wide array of benefits:

• No hangovers
• No drunken mistakes
• Ability to drive home after a night out
• Same great taste, minus the alcoholic effects
• Can be enjoyed by anyone including pregnant and breastfeeding women*
• Usually low in calories and carbs
• Some brews even have the additional benefits of B Vitamins, folic acid and even contain isotonic properties.

These are just a few of the many benefits of relinquishing your drinking prowess to a lifestyle sans alcohol. For more information on the benefits of drinking alcohol-free beer, you can read our article here which outlines the 5 top benefits of non-alcoholic beer

How is non-alcoholic beer made?

Much like regular beer, non-alcoholic beer is made in a multitude of different ways, depending on the brand, the type of beer and taste the brewer is trying to achieve.

The main steps are similar: making a mash, boiling the wort, blending the hops and fermentation. The difference between non-alcoholic vs regular beer is an additional step added in the non-alcoholic beer brewing process.

This step usually involves removing the ethanol (alcohol) from the brew, however some breweries have figured out how to brew a non-alcoholic beer from scratch by using a special yeast which stops fermenting prior to alcohol being developed.

How it’s done all depends on the brewery, the beer and the taste the consumer most desires.

What is the beer made of?

Non-alcoholic beer is made of the same basic ingredients as regular beer which should be a natural brew of is water, grain, yeast and hops.

It’s important to note that some modern mainstream beers can contain all sort of additives (here Sans Drinks we like to keep things natural though).

German beers legally need abide by the above strict ingredients list and must be crafted according to the German Beer Purity Law (the Reinheitsgebot). Meaning, beers made in Germany can only include the four main ingredients - water, grain, yeast and hops - and must only use barley or wheat grain.

What does non-alcoholic beer taste like?

It actually taste just like regular beer and just like regular beer, the taste depends on if the brew is a Pale Ale, IPA, Stout etc.

How does non-alcoholic beer taste vs soft drinks?

Some people try to compare the taste of non-alcoholic beer to drinks like coke, kombucha and other carbonated drinks, but doing this would only gives the same result as comparing the taste of regular beer to these same drinks. Because non-alcoholic beer tastes just like... beer.

How does non-alcoholic beer taste vs regular beer?

The reason it’s called non-alcoholic beer is because it tastes, smells and feels just like a regular beer. There may be a slight difference, depending on the brand, recipe or brewing process but all-in-all they taste virtually the same.

Are they healthy?

They can be considered quite healthy. In the case of German alcohol-free beer, this holds especially true due to two separate factors,

• The German Purity Law states that no extra ingredients can be added to a beer on top the basic water, grain, yeast and hops. This means a lower sugar content due to no additional sugars or preservatives, just pure and simple beer.
• Many German non-alcoholic beers are produced with sports players and the health conscious in mind. Take Erdinger for example; their beer tastes amazing, but more than that it contains healthy b9 and b12 vitamins, folic acid and polyphenols, as well as isotonic properties.
• This makes it a great sports recovery drink. It also quenches thirst quicker with the added benefit of helpful electrolytes. Folic acid also provides many health benefits for breastfeeding women.

Is Alcohol-Free Beer good for you?

Yes, non-alcoholic beers can be quite beneficial to your health, for the above reasons and also for the following:

1. Alcohol consumption can seriously damage your liver and take a toll on your mental health.
2. Alcohol addiction is prevalent in today’s society.
3. Drinking alcohol-free beer can help you stay hydrated vs alcohol which can dehydrate you.
4. Non-alcoholic beer has been known to provide health benefits for skin and hair.

Are non-alcoholic beers fattening?

Non-alcoholic beers are low-carb and contain fewer calories (sometimes up to half the amount) than their alcoholic counterparts. It’s safe to say that they generally contain fewer carbs than the average softdrink as well. You can always check the nutritional facts on the label of your non-alcoholic beer vs the label of an alcoholic beer to see the difference in calories, carbs and other ingredients and nutritional values.

Can you get drunk on non-alcoholic beer?

Although some non-alcoholic beers do contain a miniscule amount of alcohol, you’d have to drink an insane amount of it in the span of an hour to be considered legally drunk. Your bladder would likely give out before you could feel any side effects whatsoever.

Do you feel drunk when you drink non-alcoholic beer? I mean, if you were told that it was alcoholic beer, you may be subject to the effects of the “placebo effect”. Basically, your brain could be gullible enough to think it’s drunk when it’s not. So, in short, no. You cannot get drunk on non-alcoholic beer.

Are non-alcoholic beers safe to drink when pregnant?

Of course always talk to your healthcare professional about things like this but non-alcoholic beers are often enjoyed by pregnant women. Plus some beers contain folic acid which may even help increase milk production, among other things.

What are popular non-alcoholic beer brands in Australia?

Australia, along with the rest of the world, is slowly but surely opening up to the introduction of non-alcoholic beer. Intake has only been on the rise over the last few years as more and more people make the switch to a healthier, alcohol-free beer alternative.

Some of the most popular Aussie made non-alc brews include:

1. Upflow
2. Heaps Normal
3. Sobah
4. Carlton
5. NORT

But we are lucky to have access to some great imports including:

1. Heineken
2. Erdinger
3. Clausthaler
4. Budvar