As the festive season fades from mind, Brits across the nation are making new year's resolutions to kick off 2025 on a healthier note. For many, this means taking a hiatus from alcohol after the holiday indulgence.
Dry January, a public health initiative started by Alcohol Change in 2013, is expected to attract millions of participants again this year. The campaign, now in its 12th year, encourages people to abstain from alcohol for the entire month of January.
Organisers claim that a month-long break from booze can enhance sleep quality and improve mental wellbeing, among other benefits. However, for some, savouring a pint remains one of life's simple joys.
Zero and low-alcohol beers have become a booming industry, with virtually every major brand offering their own version. As January rolls around, supermarkets are dedicating whole aisles to these beverages.
In the UK, beer with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 0.05 percent or less is categorised as alcohol-free. Beers with 0.5pc or less are labelled as dealcoholised, while those with under 1.2pc ABV are considered low-alcohol, reports the Manchester Evening News. We sampled 12 different zero or low-alcohol beers from leading brands and rated them out of five..
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Initially, it's fizzy and refreshing. But much like its alcoholic counterpart, it isn't the best overall. After a few sips, my bottle started to emit a strange, slightly bitter aftertaste. It sadly reminded me of having a pint in a pub from a pump that hasn't been used or cleaned for a while. Quite disappointing.
Score: 1.5
In theory, this should work really well and was one of the first ones I added to my trolley. But for me, it was just all wrong. Very gassy and with a peculiar taste that was unpleasant for a reason I can't quite pinpoint. Not at all like regular Corona. Poor.
Score: 1
I've always been a fan of San Miguel and their zero percent effort was more than commendable. Although there was an ever so slight, understandable, sense of something being missing you could hardly tell the difference. I could certainly imagine happily drinking that on a warm summer's day. Whether it will hit the spot on a cold evening in January is perhaps another discussion.
Score: 3.5
This is the alcohol-free version of Brewdog's iconic Punk IPA, but it doesn't taste like it. Out of all the beers we tried, this is the one that probably tasted the most authentic. Of course, IPAs often feel heavier than lagers, but this was really enjoyable.
Score: 4
Another from Brewdog's range of alcohol-free beers, of which there are four. This Session IPA is lighter than Punk AF and has fruity vibes. Very decent.
Score: 3
This is a testament to Brewdog's knack for crafting alcohol-free beers that don't taste like they're missing the booze. This take on their New England IPA is another commendable attempt, boasting enjoyable fruity notes.
Score: 3
An alcohol-free version of the underrated Lost Lager, was somewhat disappointing, with a nearly sour taste at times.
Score: 2
A non-alcoholic variant of the popular German wheat beer, touts itself as 'isotonic' and vitamin-rich, promising to 'reduce tiredness and promote the normal functioning of the body's immune system. It also boasts 'reduced calories'. Despite these claims, it wasn't as bad as anticipated. Although finishing the large 500ml bottle became a bit of a chore, it was fairly enjoyable up until then.
Score: 3
This is riding high on the wave of Guinness's current popularity, with many outlets selling out in the lead-up to Christmas. After a recent trip to Ireland, I've become a convert. I predict their zero percent version will be a January bestseller. While drinking Guinness from a can isn't ideal, and they don't sell the 0.0 version in cans compatible with their Nitrosurge pouring device, it still managed to produce a satisfyingly creamy head and overall, it was top-notch.
Perhaps stout is naturally suited to being alcohol-free, but I wager a good number of people would struggle to distinguish it from the regular stuff in a blind taste test. Perfect for a cosy winter's night in front of the telly. Highly recommended.
Score: 5
Beyond the Pale Ale, being a pale ale, you'd expect a fair amount of bitterness, but this was so bitter it was almost undrinkable. It had a heavy, almost sour aftertaste that lingered after each sip. Probably the worst of the lot I sampled.
Score: 1
A brand specialising in alcohol-free beer, claims to have a 'clear head and a bold ambition – to finally reward those who aren't drinking with the beer they deserve.'. And truth be told, they're not far off. Perhaps it benefits from not having an alcoholic counterpart to compare it to, but this was genuinely enjoyable. Definitely a winner.
Score: 4.5
This beer falls short of the regular version of this Italian classic. However, it's decent enough and very drinkable.
Score: 2.5
2025-01-14T13:50:02Z