Beer advertising is nothing new during the Super Bowl. But this year, eyebrows raised when Heineken used the medium to promote its non-alcoholic brew. The placement of Heineken 0.0 is part of a campaign for the upcoming Marvel Studios Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania with the clever tagline of “don’t shrink and drink.”
But Heineken’s movie partnership and the Super Bowl buy points to a larger trend: the U.S. market has entered into a new phase of its relationship with non-alcoholic beers.
Once upon a time, not long ago, drinking non-alcoholic beers could be construed as a punishment as they were often poor in flavor—not to mention there weren’t that many choices available.
But times have definitely changed. Here’s a look at some of the best non-alcoholic beers to try.
The 5 Best Non-Alcoholic Beers
As an avid beer drinker, I’ve been tasting the bevy of non-alcoholic beers in the marketplace. Here are five that are in the fridge and ready for consumption.
1. Heineken 0.0
How can Ant-Man be wrong? But seriously, Heineken is a refreshing, easy-drinking lager that fits into happy hour, spectator sports and backyard barbecues. The non-alcoholic version tastes remarkably close to the full-strength version and is a worthy substitute.
$9 (per 6-pack) Total Wine & More
2. Guinness 0.0
The ubiquitous dry Irish stout but without the booze. With the nitrogen widget in the can, it pours similar to its full-strength forbearer. The rich malt flavors of coffee and chocolate are present along with a slight hop bite on the finish, just like the real thing. Still pairs well with a stew.
$9 (per 4-Pack) Total Wine & More
3. Industrial Arts Safety Glasses
The brewery in New York’s Hudson Valley is a new entrant to the non-alcoholic space, having made its bones on full-flavored and nuanced India pale ales. The Safety Glasses line has two beers on the market. The first is a pilsner that is vibrant with herbal and citrus characteristics. The other is an IPA that manages to keep citrus and juicy tropical hop flavors in the mix without muting them.
4. Samuel Adams Just the Haze
From the brewery that brought craft lager into the drinking consciousness nearly 40 years ago, but has rarely had success with hop-forward beers, this hazy IPA hits all the right notes for a hoppy kick without the alcohol. Pillowy and full-bodied it combines floral, fruity, and citrusy hops with a light biscuity malt bill.
$11 (per 6-pack) Total Wine & More
5. Untitled Art Mango Dragonfruit Fruited Sour
Kettle-soured beers, with tart expressive profiles, are popular among brewers who use the base style as a canvas for fruit flavoring. Untitled Art in Wisconsin has been making non-alcoholic beers of note for a while now, including a lively crisp Italian pilsner. The mango dragon fruit sour is fizzy and full-bodied without being too heavy. Juice-forward and tropical, it retains its beer soul amid the nectar.
