No & low alcohol beer: from zingy refresher to cold brewed coffee

A few weeks ago, I judged a 3-day beer competition in the UK. As always, it’s a surprise to the judges what beer styles we will judge when we sit down at the table. There’s anticipation in the air. A category which tends to come first is no & low alcohol beer (and the day usually ends with rich imperial stouts or complex barrel-aged beers). Whilst some judges sigh deeply and can’t wait to move on to the next flight of beers, I find no & low alcohol beer quite fascinating. I’m curious to see what the brewers are currently doing, what’s new on the scene so to speak, but also how the quality has improved over the years (or not).

These days, no & low alcohol beer can be all colours of the rainbow, as also in this competition. Often they are crisp lagers, I’ve had some delicious dry-hopped ones recently, but they can also be flavoured with exotic fruits, red berries, cherries or herbs you’ve never heard of. And even dark, with notes of roasted coffee and dark chocolate. I’ve judged alcohol-free stouts that taste like cold-brew coffee – I could easily have one of those in a glass with some ice and a splash of milk. But are they still beers? Yes of course, they are often brewed in the same way as standard-strength beers, with the same ingredients, and added steps at the end to remove the alcohol.

Having lived in Spain for a few years, I’ve seen how no & low alcohol beer can be a natural part of society. It’s common to see people there ordering an Estrella Galicia 0.0%, not a bad beer by the way, without anyone raising an eyebrow. So what I’m trying to say is, let’s embrace no & low alcohol beer as a good option. Whether you’re the designated driver, intending to exercise later on in the evening, or perhaps just on a break from work (or alcohol), this is a great alternative if you want a refreshing beer but without the alcohol – and it can be tasty too.