We’ve tested the best non-alcoholic beers on the market to bring you a short list of beverages worth your time and money. With a surge in popularity, there are more low-alc beers on the market than ever before, but this increased competition hasn’t resulted in better zero beers. In fact, the original players are still our top choices: Heaps Normal, Nort, and Athletic Brewing Co., which stand head and shoulders above the rest. Still, we’ve found other great options on our list of the best non-alcoholic beers below. Let’s take a closer look!
Best Non Alcoholic Beers at a Glance
While you’d assume that most of these beers are similar in flavour, the variance we uncovered in our tastings was more than surface level. We found several trends related to the sugar, salt, carbohydrate levels and flavours of the most popular low-alcohol beers on the market. But before we get into the nitty-gritty details, let’s check out some of the highlights from our list:
- Best overall: Nort Beer
- For lager: Heineken 0.0
- For IPA: Athletic Brewing Co.
- For pale ale: Lightning Minds Pale Ale
Now you’ve read our favourites, let’s check out the complete list.
Table of Contents
- Best Non Alcoholic Beers at a Glance
- 1. Nort Beer Refreshing Ale
- 2. Heaps Normal Quiet XPA
- 3. Haitus Beers Pacific Ale
- 4. Heineken 0.0 Non Alcoholic Lager
- 5. Athletic Brewing Co. Run Wild IPA
- 6. Capital Brewing ALC-LESS Pacific Ale
- 7. Lightning Minds Non Alcoholic Pale Ale
- 8. Better Beer Zero Alcohol
- 9. Great Northern Brewing Co. Zero
- 10. Son of a Nun Zero Alcohol
- Alternatives to These Non-alcoholic Beers
- Why You Should Trust Our List
- More Non-Alcoholic Drinks Articles
RELATED: These are the best non alcoholic whiskies on the market right now.
1. Nort Beer Refreshing Ale
Price: from AU$43.99 / case of 24
- Pros: This is a great choice for craft beer fans due to the fruity, hoppy flavours. It’s also one of the best for your body because it’s not too high in sugar, sodium, or carbohydrates. For example, it has one-third of the carbs of Heaps Normal and one-fifth of the sugar.
- Cons: It doesn’t have that traditional ‘beer taste’ per se, and it won’t please the traditionalists who are better off choosing Great Northern or Heineken.
Owned by local heroes, Modus Operandi Brewing, Nort Beer Refreshing Ale was the biggest hit amongst the team here at Man of Many. It was closely followed by the crowd favourite Quiet XPA from Heaps Normal, but we found Nort to have a better balance of flavours and an overall stronger taste. This is especially true for those beer drinkers who prefer a hoppier, craft taste, but this remains true for anyone who wants a refreshing flavour that’s low in calories compared to most non-alcoholic beers.
If you don’t like the Refreshing Ale (similar to a lager), try some other options from their line-up. We’d rank them in this order: Refreshing Ale, XPA, IPA, and Pacific Ale.
- Calories: 49 cal (204kj)
- Carbohydrates: 4.7g
- Sodium: less than 5mg
- Fat total: 3g
- Sugars: less than 1g
2. Heaps Normal Quiet XPA
Price: from AU$64.95/ case of 24
- Pros: Similar to Nort, but with a more flavourful palate of citrus and tropical fruits. It would please a pale ale drinker and those who like hoppy and hazy beers.
- Cons: One of the higher carb options on our list. 15g of carbohydrates per can is on the high side when you consider your typical low-carb beer has one-third the amount.
Formed as a collaboration between four mates, Heaps Normal encouraged conversation around mindful drinking. Fast forward a few years, and the brand has become the most popular non-alcoholic beer in restaurants nationwide. If there’s a low-alcohol beer option on your local’s beer list, there’s a good chance it’s a Heaps Normal. We love the Quiet XPA for its full-flavoured citrus and tropical ale flavour profile, but the recently released Heaps Normal Lager is a great alternative if you prefer a crisper beverage.
- Calories: 63 cal (262kj)
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Sodium: 4mg
- Fat total: less than 1g
- Sugars: 5.2g
3. Haitus Beers Pacific Ale
Price: from AU$71.99/ case of 24
- Pros: The closest thing you’ll find to a hazy pale ale in the non-alcoholic beer world. Truthfully, if it wasn’t so expensive it might be our favourite! It ticks all the nutritional boxes; it’s not overly carb-loaded, sugary, or salty.
- Cons: Preventatively expensive at more than $70 per case. If you were thinking of picking up a few for a quiet night with your mate, think again. This is dedicated to those who are going to quit drinking altogether.
Haitus Beer has created a tangy, fruity, craft-style, non-alcoholic beer that you’ll love for its passionfruit, guava, and mango flavours. This is the closest thing we’ve tried to a zero-alc Stone and Wood. This is best enjoyed in ice-cold by the ocean with a few Smiths Original potato chips. If you’re an expert, you’ll notice the use of galaxy hops and a fun blend of Veloria, Vienna, and Munich malts.
- Calories: 64 cal (266kj)
- Carbohydrates: 11.2g
- Sodium: 4.9mg
- Fat total: less than 0.4g
- Sugars: 5.6g
4. Heineken 0.0 Non Alcoholic Lager
Price: from AU$45.95/ case of 24
- Pros: Alongside Great Northern Zero, Heineken 0.0 is the most ‘sessionable’ non-alcoholic beer of them all. The clean, crisp, refreshing taste is backed up by quality ingredients and a fair balance of sodium, sugar, and fat on the nutrition scale.
- Cons: That being said, it’s relatively high in carbs at more than 15g per bottle.
When perusing the non-alcoholic beer selection at any of your favourite retailers, you can do no wrong in picking up a case of Heineken 0.0. The brand crafts this drop like a normal lager before evaporating the alcohol, resulting in a crisp, clean, and thoroughly reliable taste. We remember trying this one for the first time at the Australian Grand Prix on a stinking hot day, and it was deliciously refreshing. It remains one of our favourites for summer to this day.
- Calories: 69.3 cal (297kj)
- Carbohydrates: 15.84g
- Sodium: less than 0.01mg
- Fat total: less than 0.1g
- Sugars: less than 4.29g
5. Athletic Brewing Co. Run Wild IPA
Price: from AU$63.99/ case of 24
- Pros: Similar to Heineken 0.0 in flavour and mouthfeel, but with a fruitier composition. If you regularly drink pale ales, XPAs, and hazies, you’ll find this to be a great alternative.
- Cons: It’s high in carbohydrates and sugar compared to some of the options on our list.
Athletic Brewing Co. hit the Australian market runnings with their Run Wild IPA. It combines the best of the NA and craft beer worlds with full-bodied flavours across the range. Our favourite is the staple ‘Run Wild’ IPA, but all experiment with the rules in the name of the taste.
To figure out how on earth they achieve this, we asked founders Bill Shufelt and John Walker what they love about these fully-fermented drops. “What I enjoy about ‘fully fermented’ non-alcoholic beers is the body, the mouthfeel and the vibrant expression of the incredible ingredients in their original state – there is a harmony that these ingredients embody when left to their own devices.”
“When creating hazy brews, there is a myriad of ‘tricks’ we can deploy from less flocculant yeast strains to different filtration or centrifugation techniques to hops and malts that can impart more haze – we like to design backwards, thinking about the mouthfeel, the aroma and the flavours and use that to guide us in selecting the best ingredients and processes for the job.”
These beers don’t just taste “good for a zero beer”. They taste good, full stop. Start filling those beer glasses for a great clean taste.
- Calories: 70 cal (297kj)
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Sodium: less than 10mg
- Fat total: less than 0.1g
- Sugars: less than 4g
6. Capital Brewing ALC-LESS Pacific Ale
Price: from AU$46/ case of 16
- Pros: If you love Capital Brewing Coast Ale, you’ll love the flavours in this one. The can design is also one of our favourites.
- Cons: It’s low in fat and sugar but remarkably high in carbs and sodium, which knocks it down on our list. After drinking one can, you’ll reach for the water because it has nearly 30mg of sodium inside. That’s more than seven times the amount of Heaps Normal.
Our friends at Capital Brewing have been making some of the best beers in the craft beer scene for years, and we’d struggle to find someone who hasn’t tucked into their XPA. But when the market asked for a great non-alcoholic beer, they didn’t rush to the stage to deliver a subpar drink. Instead, they spent months trying, testing, and creating their version of the best on the market. We aren’t going to argue with the flavours here with their ALC-LESS. The overall taste is a little salty to stand head and shoulders above the top few, but you’ll love the full-flavoured tropical Pacific Ale burst that’s here in full effect.
- Calories: 57 cal (237kj)
- Carbohydrates: 13.2g
- Sodium: 29mg
- Fat total: less than 0.4g
- Sugars: less than 0.8g
7. Lightning Minds Non Alcoholic Pale Ale
Price: from AU$69.95/ case of 24 (330ml)
- Pros: Flavour-wise, these are up there with the best of them. Closely related to Heaps Normal in taste but with half the carbohydrates. They might be higher up our list if they weren’t so expensive.
- Cons: Similar to Haitus Beers Pacific Ale, the price point clearly targets those drinkers who have permanently switched to an alcohol-free lifestyle. It’s also a bit cheeky to package your beer in 330ml cans these days, particularly at this price point.
This is the non-alcoholic beer we go for in between sessions. It might be Aussie as all get out. However, we reckon Lightning Minds Pale Ale has a little American influence with its flavour. Most importantly, it’s not too sweet, whereas some NA drinks can taste like fruity cordial.
- Calories: 40 cal (165kj)
- Carbohydrates: 8.9g
- Sodium: 9.9mg
- Fat total: less than 0.7g
- Sugars: less than 2.5g
8. Better Beer Zero Alcohol
Price: from AU$49.99/ case of 24
- Pros: One of the healthier options on our list, the balance of carbohydrates, sodium, fat, and sugars is great across the board.
- Cons: That ‘healthier’ lean has definitely knocked this one down a few points when it comes to outright flavour. It’s a balancing act, after all, and with less sugar and salt compared to the competition, it’s bound to taste unremarkable.
When one of our favourite low-carb beers goes zero alcohol, only good things can come out of it. Fast becoming one of the biggest beer brands in Australia, Better Beer Zero Alcohol is as refreshing as it gets, with vastly lower salt content than the majority of ‘craft style’ beers on this list (7mg per can). The result is a beer that’s better for you but doesn’t taste as strong as the saltier options on the market (Athletic Brewing, Capital, Nort).
- Calories: 55 cal (231kj)
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Sodium: 7mg
- Fat total: less than 0.1g
- Sugars: less than 1.8g
9. Great Northern Brewing Co. Zero
Price: from AU$46.99 / case of 24
- Pros: Similar to Heineken 0.0, Great Northern Zero has a traditional beer taste and is sessionable with a great mouthfeel. Call us crazy, but we prefer the taste of the non-alc over the original.
- Cons: Oddly, the original alcoholic Great Northern has half the amount of carbohydrates (6g). It’s also not much cheaper than the original.
The old ‘Black Fish’ has gone blue for a non-alcoholic option that’s great for hot summer days in Northern Australia. About as crisp as any option on our list, we appreciate the lack of chemical aftertaste or any funky aromas. When you’re looking for a great beer to session minus the headaches, get your hands on a blue fish or two.
- Calories: 68 cal (286kj)
- Carbohydrates: 15.4g
- Sodium: 8mg
- Fat total: less than 0.1g
- Sugars: less than 1.7g
10. Son of a Nun Zero Alcohol
Price: from AU$49.95/ case of 24
- Pros: Traditional beer taste that will please most palates without trying anything too experimental. Funny name.
- Cons: In saying that, we found the palate a little dry both figuratively and literally. It lacks any character, and although the mouthfeel is pleasant and the carbonation is good, it just doesn’t taste as good as the other options on our list. Also quite high in sodium.
One of the new kids on the block, ‘Sons of a Nun’ is a hilarious name for a zero-alcohol beer brand, but the product itself is comparatively safe in its execution. Flavours are smooth and crispy in classic lager style with a touch of caramel and carbonation as the beer sits on the palate. If you’re a straight shooter who wants to try something different to Heineken 0.0 and Great Northern Brewing Co. Zero, this is the best choice.
- Calories: 61 cal (255kj)
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Sodium: less than 15mg
- Fat total: less than 0.3g
- Sugars: less than 11g
Alternatives to These Non-alcoholic Beers
These are the zero beers that didn’t quite make the top of our list.
- Beneficial Beer Co. Stone Cold Lager (from $59.00/ case of 24): The perfect ‘inbeertweener’ with a full-bodied lager flavour brewed the traditional way. The Stone Cold Lager has all the ingredients you’d expect – barley grain, water, hops and yeast – imparting all the flavours you want.
- James Squire Zero (from $45.99/ case of 24): No stranger to a tap near you, James Squire entered the alcohol-free market with the launch of James Squire Zero. The launch brought their brewing heritage and credentials to an increasingly thirsty audience, and we couldn’t wait to get our greasy mitts on them. You’ll love these if you’re averse to the crafty ‘fruit beer’ trend.
- Carlton Zero (from $41/ case of 24): A perennial favourite amongst sober sippers here at Man of Many, Carlton’s non-alcoholic beer makes for the perfect summertime beverage in our books. Having been crafted with the same care, quality, and ingredients as the brand’s alcoholic output, it delivers a fruity aroma and robust, hoppy flavour.
- Mornington Peninsula Brewery Mornington Free (from $45.99/ case of 24 ): This was the first Pale Ale offering from an award-winning craft brewery. Just like a number of the best non-alcoholic beers on this list, Mornington Peninsula Brewery starts the brewing process from scratch. Forget stripping the alcohol and flavour out of full strength. The brand starts from the beginning and creates a delicious and refreshing bevvy with less than 0.5% ABV.
- Holsten Alcohol-Free (from $35.99/ case of 24): Holsten is one of the most popular brands in Germany, and with good reason. It’s zero beer and has everything you can ask for in a German pilsner…unless you’re asking for alcohol. If you’re looking for a healthier option, you’ll love this beer with 40 calories per bottle.
- Coopers Birell Ultra Light (from $32.99): Coopers have been making this beer for years, and being one of the most popular beer brands in Australia, they know how to craft some delicious suds. Here, you’ll find a vibrant colour, full-bodied maltiness, and a clean finish.
- Big Drop Brewing Uptown Craft Lager (from $70.99/ case of 24): We think the legends over at Big Drop have mastered a brew that tastes just like the real thing. The brewer uses lazy yeast, which is not very good at converting sugar to alcohol and brews at slightly higher temperatures at various points to inhibit alcohol production further. Additionally, this non-alcoholic beer uses less grain, which means less sugar. The result is a happy medium between dark lager and traditional lager. It’s not your typical ‘heavy beer’ because it doesn’t have that alcoholic bite. However, it remains refreshing and easy to drink. Above all, it’s very low in sugar, which makes it a healthier option.
- BrewDog Nanny State Pale Ale (from $51.95/ case of 16): Amongst BrewDog’s slate of steady sippers is Nanny State Pale Ale, a no-alcohol beer of considerable quality. It’s brewed with a full spectrum of hops and malts and then dry-hopped with Centennial and Amarillo.
- Erdinger Alcohol-Free (from $54.99/ case of 24): A number of non-alcoholic beer drinkers simply swear by this wheat-based brew, which goes big on flavour and texture alike. With its ABV of 0.5%, some might call it low alcohol as opposed to no alcohol. Either way, you won’t be getting drunk.
- Sobah #3 Pepperberry IPA (from $80/ case of 24): With a name like Pepperberry IPA, you know this zero-alcohol beer from Sobah is something special. Infused with fruit from the Australian Native Pepperberry tree, it delivers a citrusy hop flavour along with a spicy kick.
If you think there’s a beer we should test for a spot on this list, please contact us via our contact form.
Why You Should Trust Our List
Trust is the backbone of our independent publication, and unlike most of the lists you’ve read online, we’re only recommending products that we’ve independently tested ourselves. We’re not claiming to do so either, providing original photography to demonstrate that we’ve gone hands-on with these products before sharing an opinion that’s backed up by thorough online research and cross-checking with our wider team of beer drinkers. Our conclusions are decided upon by our editorial team and take into account the smell, price, and availability of each inclusion. Ultimately, the final list was decided upon by author Ben McKimm, who personally curated every beer on this list.
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