For those who enjoy the taste of beer but don’t want to consume alcohol, the rise of alcohol free beer has been a godsend. These beverages offer all the taste of regular beer without the negative side effects of alcohol. But the question remains: do they actually taste good? Let’s find out.
What Is Alcohol Free Beer?
Before we dive into whether or not alcohol free beer tastes good, let’s first define what it is. Alcohol free beer is beer that has undergone a process to remove the alcohol. This can be achieved through various methods, including vacuum distillation, reverse osmosis, and non-alcoholic fermentation. The result is a beverage with less than 0.5% alcohol by volume.
The Taste Test
So, how does alcohol free beer taste? The answer is: it depends. Just like regular beer, alcohol free beer or any alcohol free drinks come in a variety of flavours and styles. Some brands use the same ingredients and brewing methods as regular beer, while others use alternative ingredients to create unique flavour profiles.
One of the ways that non-alcoholic beer has evolved is through the use of alternative ingredients to create unique flavour profiles. Traditionally, beer is made from four main ingredients: water, hops, malted barley, and yeast. However, with the growing popularity of non alcoholic beer, brewers are exploring different combinations of ingredients to create unique and interesting flavours. Here are some of the alternative ingredients being used in non alcoholic beer:
- Fruits & Vegetables: Many brewers are adding fruits and vegetables to their non-alcoholic beers to give them a unique flavour profile. For example, adding citrus fruits like lemon, lime, and grapefruit can add a refreshing twist to a non alcoholic beer. Vegetables like cucumber, carrot, and beetroot are also being used to create interesting flavour combinations.
- Herbs & Spices: Adding herbs and spices to non alcoholic beer can give it a more complex flavour profile. For example, adding coriander and orange peel can give a non alcoholic beer a Belgian witbier flavour. Adding cinnamon and nutmeg can create a pumpkin spice flavour, and adding ginger can create a spicy kick.
- Tea & Coffee: Tea and coffee can also be used to create unique non alcoholic beer flavours. For example, adding Earl Grey tea to a non alcoholic beer can create a bergamot flavour, and adding coffee can create a rich, roasted flavour.
- Alternative Grains: Instead of using traditional malted barley, brewers are using alternative grains like quinoa, oats, and wheat to create interesting flavour profiles. These grains can give non alcoholic beer a nutty, earthy flavour.
- Hops Alternatives: Hops are an essential ingredient in traditional beer, but many non alcoholic brewers are using hops alternatives like botanicals, flowers, and spices. These alternatives can add a unique flavour profile to non alcoholic beer without the bitterness that hops can bring.
The Bottom Line
While taste is subjective, there are definitely some alcohol free beers that are worth trying. Many brands have put a lot of effort into creating non alcoholic beer that tastes just as good as the real thing. And with the added benefit of no hangover or negative side effects, it’s no wonder that more people are turning to alcohol free beer.
If you’re a beer lover looking to cut back on your alcohol intake or if you’re sober curious and want to explore the world of alcohol free drinks, give alcohol free beer a try. With a wide variety of flavours and styles available, there’s bound to be an alcohol free beer that suits your taste buds. And who knows, you may just find a new favourite.