The Best Non-Alcoholic Beer in 2025
Phillip Jacobs
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After blind-testing 52 non-alcoholic beers with a panel of five tasters—including a certified cicerone—we’ve found the standouts that are redefining alcohol-free drinking in 2025.
Compared to just two years ago, the leap in quality is striking. Some brews were nearly indistinguishable from their alcoholic counterparts—others fell flat.
Here are the seven best non-alcoholic beers worth your money in 2025:
1. Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA
★ Reader's FavoriteAthletic Brewing’s Run Wild IPA dominated our blind taste tests, fooling three of five panelists who thought it contained alcohol. This West Coast-style IPA delivers aggressive pine and grapefruit notes with a properly bitter finish that lingers. What sets it apart is the mouthfeel—full-bodied and slightly resinous, avoiding the watery texture that plagued early NA beers.
During testing, we compared Run Wild directly against Stone IPA and Lagunitas, and it held its own. The 70-calorie count is a bonus, though you’d never guess it’s a “light” beer. Athletic’s proprietary brewing process remains secret, but whatever they’re doing works. Our only critique? The price has crept up to $13 in some markets, making it pricier than many craft IPAs.
Price: $11-13/six-pack
Rating: 9.7/10
Buy from: Amazon.com
New for 2024 and still gaining traction, Sam Adams' Just the Haze surprised our panel with its authentic New England IPA character. The tropical fruit explosion—think mango, passion fruit, and orange—tastes remarkably similar to their alcoholic Wicked Hazy. The cloudy appearance and creamy texture nail the style perfectly.
What impressed us most was the hop aroma that hits immediately upon opening. Many NA beers smell malty or sweet; this smells like a proper hazy IPA. One taster noted it was “dangerously sessionable” and kept reaching for another. The wider distribution than most craft NA options makes it our go-to recommendation for newcomers.
Price: $9-11/six-pack
Rating: 8.9/10
Buy from: Amazon.com
Yes, this is Tom Holland’s new NA beer brand, but don’t let celebrity involvement fool you—Bero’s Edge Hill Hazy IPA is legitimately excellent. Launched in late 2024, this English-style hazy brings subtle tea-like notes alongside classic citrus hops. The complete absence of alcohol (true 0.0%) appeals to those avoiding even trace amounts.
Our British taster noted it tastes like “a proper pint from a London pub,” with less aggressive hopping than American hazies. The elegant can design and premium positioning make it feel special, though the price reflects that. Limited availability remains frustrating—we could only find it consistently online.
Price: $14-15/four-pack
Rating: 8.5/10
Buy from: Amazon.com
4. Guinness 0.0
Guinness 0.0 achieves something remarkable: it tastes almost identical to regular Guinness. The nitrogen widget creates that signature cascading pour and creamy head, while cold filtration preserves the roasted barley and coffee notes. In blind testing, even our Guinness-devoted Irish taster struggled to identify it as non-alcoholic.
The mouthfeel is slightly thinner than original Guinness—inevitable when removing alcohol—but the difference is minimal. We tested it in both straight pours and Black and Tan combinations (with NA lagers), and it performed beautifully. The wide availability and reasonable price make it our dark beer champion.
Price: $9-10/four-pack
Rating: 8.2/10
Buy from: Walmart.com
5. Heineken 0.0
Sometimes you want a simple, refreshing beer without complexity—and Heineken 0.0 delivers exactly that. While craft beer enthusiasts might scoff, this mainstream option consistently impressed in our testing. It tastes remarkably close to regular Heineken, with that distinctive skunky-sweet profile intact.
The true 0.0% ABV and global availability make it perfect for travel or restaurants with limited NA options. We served it to skeptical friends at a BBQ, and nobody questioned its authenticity. The price point beats most craft alternatives, and you can find it literally anywhere—from gas stations to fine dining establishments.
Price: $8-10/six-pack
Rating: 7.9/10
Buy from: Amazon.com
Sour beer fans, rejoice—Go Brewing’s New School Sour proves NA brewers can nail complex fermentation profiles. This kettle sour delivers mouth-puckering tartness balanced by subtle fruit notes that vary by batch (we’ve tasted cherry, peach, and tropical versions). The acidity masks any “worty” flavors common in NA beers.
The Chicago-based brewery uses proprietary yeast strains that produce minimal alcohol while creating authentic sour character. Our sour-skeptic taster became a convert, noting it was “refreshing without being one-dimensional.” Limited distribution remains challenging, but it’s worth seeking out for sour enthusiasts.
Price: $13-15/four-pack
Rating: 7.3/10
Buy from: Amazon.com
While Weihenstephaner’s NA wheat beer has its fans, Athletic’s Wit’s Peak emerged as our wheat beer winner. This Belgian-style witbier showcases coriander and orange peel without tasting artificially spiced. The cloudy appearance and fluffy head retention match traditional witbiers perfectly.
We tested it against Blue Moon’s NA version (disappointing) and several German imports (good but pricey), and Wit’s Peak offered the best balance of authenticity, availability, and value. The subtle complexity makes it food-friendly—we loved it with seafood and salads. Some tasters wanted more pronounced citrus notes, but the restraint feels intentional and sophisticated.
Price: $11-13/six-pack
Rating: 6.9/10
Buy from: Amazon.com
Notable Disappointments
Not every NA beer deserves your money. O’Doul’s remains watery and metallic—skip it entirely. Budweiser Zero tastes artificial despite the marketing push. Clausthaler Original disappointed with cardboard notes, though their grapefruit version shows promise. Most surprisingly, Brooklyn Special Effects fell flat despite the brewery’s reputation, tasting overly sweet and unbalanced.
Key Features to Consider
When selecting non-alcoholic beer, focus on these crucial aspects:
1. ABV Level
Non-alcoholic beers come in two categories: <0.5% ABV and true 0.0% ABV. The difference matters for those avoiding alcohol completely for health, religious, or recovery reasons.
What to Look For: Check labels carefully—“non-alcoholic” allows up to 0.5% ABV, while “alcohol-free” typically means 0.0%.
2. Brewing Method
The production method significantly impacts flavor. Arrested fermentation, vacuum distillation, and special yeasts each create different taste profiles.
What to Look For: Brands that specify their method often produce better-tasting beers. Avoid those that taste “worty” or overly sweet.
3. Price Point
NA beers typically cost 20-40% more than regular beer due to specialized equipment and smaller production runs.
What to Look For: Mainstream options like Heineken 0.0 offer value, while craft options justify higher prices with superior taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does non-alcoholic beer cost compared to regular beer?
Expect to pay 20-40% more than equivalent alcoholic beers. NA brewing requires specialized equipment and processes, plus the market remains smaller. Mainstream options like Heineken 0.0 match regular beer prices, while craft NA beers run $10-16 per six-pack.
Can I drink non-alcoholic beer while taking medications?
Most medications are fine with <0.5% ABV beverages, but always check with your healthcare provider. True 0.0% options like Heineken 0.0 or Bero eliminate any concerns. Some antibiotics specifically prohibit any alcohol consumption.
Do non-alcoholic beers trigger alcohol cravings in recovery?
This varies dramatically by individual. Some in recovery find NA beers helpful for social situations, while others avoid them entirely. The smell and taste can be triggering. Consult your support system and consider starting with hop waters or kombucha instead.
Why do some NA beers taste worty or sweet?
Without alcohol fermentation, residual sugars remain in the beer. Better breweries use special yeasts or remove alcohol post-fermentation to avoid this. If a beer tastes like “liquid bread,” it’s poorly made—plenty of excellent options exist.
Which NA beers are best for beer cocktails?
For shandies and radlers, use lighter beers like Heineken 0.0 or Athletic Lite. For micheladas, Bravus’s Mexican lager works perfectly. Guinness 0.0 makes excellent “Baby Guinness” shots with coffee liqueur alternatives.
Conclusion
The non-alcoholic beer revolution is real, and 2025’s options prove you needn’t sacrifice flavor for sobriety. Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA remains our top pick for its universal appeal and wide availability, while Samuel Adams Just the Haze offers the best value from a mainstream brewer. For special occasions, splurge on Bero’s premium offerings.
Most importantly, ignore outdated stereotypes about NA beer. Today’s best options satisfy discerning palates and social situations equally. With the market growing rapidly and innovation accelerating, we’re entering a golden age of mindful drinking. Whether you’re sober-curious, designated driving, or simply wanting a Tuesday night beer without Wednesday morning regret, there’s never been a better time to explore non-alcoholic options.
Summary of Top Picks
Our Pick: Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA – The gold standard for NA craft beer
Runner-Up: Samuel Adams Just the Haze – Best value with wide distribution
Premium Choice: Bero Edge Hill Hazy IPA – Celebrity-backed excellence worth the splurge
Note: Prices and availability accurate as of June 2025. Always check current pricing and consider trying variety packs to find your personal favorites.
Cheers—without the hangover.