8 Best No or Low Alcohol Beers to Try This ChristmasBy Francesca Brooking
Christmas doesn’t have to be a time for heavy drinking. The trend in no or low booze options is set to be on the rise with 57.3m pints of low and no alcohol beer sold in the UK in 2018. So, whether you’re cutting back or ditching the booze this Christmas, here are 8 excellent no or low alcohol beers with delicious food pairings to inspire you this festive season:
1. For a Light Beer: Peroni Libera 0.0% ABV
What: Peroni Libera 0.0% ABV (£4.00 for 4x330ml)
The Lowdown: The rich and intense notes of citrus and hops in Peroni Libera are followed by a delicate fruity aroma which pleasantly engages your senses of taste and smell. Light-bodied, this no-alcohol beer delivers a crisp taste, fine bitterness and a fast and clean finish.
Pairings: Smoked salmon
Where to Buy: Amazon, Ocado and Tesco.
2. For a Hoppy Lager: Brooklyn Brewery Special Effects, 0.4% ABV
What: Brooklyn Brewery Special Effects, 0.4% ABV (£1.30 for 1x335ml)
The Lowdown: Special Effects is a hoppy lager with an unexpected piney aroma, pleasant bitter finish and a golden, bready sweetness from dry-hopping with Citra and Amarillo hops – a technique rarely used in alcohol-free brewing. It tastes just like a regular beer, but incredibly, it’s not! Special Effects is one of a favourite no or low alcohol beers this season.
Pairings: Cheese
Where to Buy: Ocado and Tesco.
3. For a Pale Ale: Adnams Ghost Ship, 0.5% ABV
What: Adnams Ghost Ship, 0.5% ABV (£1.30 for 1x500ml)
The Lowdown: Adnams Ghost Shio 0.5% is brewed with pale ale, rye crystal and cara malts, using Citra and a blend of other American hop varieties. It has a bold malty flavour with a hint of lemon and lime aromas. It’s one of our top no or low alcohol beers to enjoy with Christmas dinner.
Pairings: Turkey
Where to Buy: Waitrose, Amazon, Drydrinker and Tesco.
4. For a Sweet- Bitter Balance: Budvar B:Free, 0.5% ABV
What: Budvar B:Free, 0.5% ABV (£0.89 for 1x330ml)
The Lowdown: Budvar use celebrated Moravian barley to deliver a decadently toasted sweet malt palate and season the beer with the Saaz hops for an earthy spiced aroma and a hint of bitterness. Nothing is taken away from the delicious sweet-bitter equation except the alcohol. It’s one of the most celebrated no or low alcohol beers on the market!
Pairings: Sticky barbecue chicken and sausages
Where to Buy: Drink Supermarket
5. For a Refreshing Beer: Heineken 0.0, Alcohol-Free
What: Heineken 0.0, Alcohol-Free (no more than Alc. 0.05% Vol.) (£4.50 for 6x330ml)
The Lowdown: Heineken 0.0 is made from natural ingredients, brewed twice and fermented with Heineken’s unique yeast strain before the alcohol is gently removed. The finished beer is balanced, clean and refreshing with a fruity flavour and soft, malty notes. Divine.
Pairings: Grilled fish and prawns
Where to Buy: Amazon, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s and Asda.
6. For a Medium-Bodied Beer: Budweiser Prohibition Brew, Alcohol-Free
What: Budweiser Prohibition Brew, Alcohol-Free (no more than Alc. 0.05% Vol.) (£2.50 for 4x330ml)
The Lowdown: Brewed in the same way as a regular Budweiser, Prohibition Brew is a medium-bodied, flavourful, crisp American-style lager with a beautiful golden colour, a subtle honey aroma and a trace of citrus, punctuated by notes of malt and hops. A perfectly balanced, full-flavoured lager with a crisp, clean, fast finish.
Pairings: Italian antipasti
Where to Buy: Amazon, Sainsbury’s and Ocado.
7. For a Dark Ruby Ale: Harviestoun, Wheesht Dark Ale, Alc. 0.0%
What: Harviestoun, Wheesht Dark Ale, Alc. 0.0% (£1.15 for 1x330ml)
The Lowdown: Wheesht Dark Ale is a dark ruby ale rich in flavours of chocolate, biscuit and dried fruit. It has a velvety, smooth texture on the palate and a lingering bitterness which will have you doubting the zero-alcohol claim but it’s true, we promise!
Pairings: Christmas Pudding
Where to Buy: Harviestoun and Wise Bartender.
8. For a Winter Warmer: Harveys Old Ale, Low Alcohol 0.5% ABV
What: Harveys Old Ale, Low Alcohol 0.5% ABV (£1.19 for 1x275ml)
The Lowdown: The low alcohol version of Harvey’s favourite Winter warmer, Old Ale. Produced in an identical way to its parent product but with the alcohol removed prior to bottling. Rich and dark, it’s soft and full-bodied, with touches of toffee, dried fruits and smoke. You can’t go wrong with this if you’re looking for no or low alcohol beers this Christmas.
Pairings: Cheese
Where to Buy: Harvey’s, Light Drinks and Dry Drinker.
