Best Non-Alcoholic Beer 2026
We tasted 30+ NA beers from lagers to IPAs to wheat beers. These are the ones worth buying — ranked by taste, value, and availability.
Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA
Athletic Brewing Company · Est. 2017, Milford CT
The gold standard of NA beer. Founded in 2017, Athletic Brewing has single-handedly legitimized the entire NA beer category. Run Wild IPA is hoppy, complex, and genuinely satisfying in a way that earlier NA beers never achieved. Available everywhere from Whole Foods to Target.
Why We Like It:
- Genuinely hoppy IPA character
- Widely available nationwide
- Wide variety of styles
- Clean finish with no odd aftertaste
Where to Buy:
Target, Whole Foods, Amazon
BERO Golden Hour Lager
BERO (Tom Holland) · Est. 2024, USA
Spider-Man actor Tom Holland launched BERO after opening up about his decision to stop drinking. The Golden Hour Lager is a clean, crisp NA beer that punches well above its celebrity-brand expectations. Available at Target.
Why We Like It:
- Crisp, clean lager profile
- Available at Target
- Great branding and packaging
- Backed by a genuine personal story
Where to Buy:
Target
Heineken 0.0
Heineken · Est. Netherlands, launched 2017
The most widely distributed NA beer on this list. Heineken 0.0 is genuinely 0.0% ABV, making it appropriate for those who need to avoid even trace amounts of alcohol. The taste is recognizably Heineken — mild malt sweetness, balanced bitterness, and clean finish.
Why We Like It:
- True 0.0% ABV
- Available everywhere globally
- Affordable
- Recognizable taste profile
Where to Buy:
Available everywhere
Athletic Brewing Upside Dawn
Athletic Brewing Company · Est. 2017, Milford CT
Athletic's golden ale is lighter and easier-drinking than Run Wild. Perfect for those who find IPAs too intense. Subtle citrus notes, gentle malt, and a refreshing finish make this one of the most approachable NA beers on the market.
Why We Like It:
- Light and refreshing
- Easy to drink
- No strong hop bitterness
- Great for NA beer newcomers
Where to Buy:
Target, Whole Foods, Amazon
Clausthaler Original
Clausthaler · Est. 1979, Frankfurt Germany
One of the original NA beers, Clausthaler has been brewing alcohol-free lager since 1979. While newer brands have raised the bar, Clausthaler's Original remains a solid, budget-friendly option with genuine German lager character.
Why We Like It:
- 44+ years of NA brewing experience
- Budget-friendly
- German brewing credentials
- Clean, traditional lager taste
Where to Buy:
Total Wine, BevMo, specialty stores
Erdinger Alkoholfrei
Erdinger · Est. Erding, Bavaria, Germany
A genuine Bavarian wheat beer with zero alcohol. Erdinger Alkoholfrei is one of the few NA beers that's actually marketed as an isotonic sports drink — it's loaded with B vitamins and electrolytes. Athletes love it as a recovery drink. The banana and clove notes are authentic.
Why We Like It:
- Authentic Bavarian wheat beer character
- Rich in B vitamins and electrolytes
- Popular as a sports recovery drink
- Complex flavor profile
Where to Buy:
Specialty beer stores, Amazon
Lagunitas IPNA
Lagunitas Brewing · Est. Petaluma, CA
Lagunitas is one of America's most beloved craft breweries and their IPNA delivers the hoppy character their fans expect. Tropical fruit aromas, citrusy bitterness, and a decent malt backbone. Not quite Athletic Brewing's level, but a solid craft NA IPA.
Why We Like It:
- Genuine craft brewery credibility
- Strong hop aroma
- Tropical fruit notes
- Widely available in craft beer stores
Where to Buy:
Craft beer stores, Total Wine
Big Drop Brewing Pale Ale
Big Drop Brewing · Est. 2016, London UK
Big Drop is a UK brand that brews exclusively NA beers — it's not an afterthought for them. Their Pale Ale is one of the most sophisticated NA beers available, with genuine hop character and a slightly hazy appearance. Worth the slight premium.
Why We Like It:
- Brews exclusively NA beer
- Sophisticated hop profile
- Hazy, premium appearance
- Wide variety of styles
Where to Buy:
Specialty stores, Total Wine
Frequently Asked Questions
Does non-alcoholic beer really have no alcohol?
Most "non-alcoholic" beers contain up to 0.5% ABV by U.S. law. This is significantly less than standard beer (4-7% ABV). Products labeled "alcohol-free" are 0.0% ABV. For most people, 0.5% ABV is equivalent to a ripe banana or a glass of orange juice. If you need to be absolutely sure, look for Heineken 0.0 or other certified 0.0% products.
Which NA beer tastes most like real beer?
Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA is consistently rated as the most similar to its alcoholic counterpart. Erdinger Alkoholfrei is the best match for wheat beer drinkers, and Heineken 0.0 most closely replicates mainstream lager.
Is non-alcoholic beer good for you?
NA beer is generally lower in calories than regular beer (around 40-80 calories vs 150+) and contains no meaningful alcohol. Some NA beers like Erdinger Alkoholfrei are actively marketed as sports recovery drinks due to their B vitamin and electrolyte content. That said, most NA beers are still carbonated beverages — they're not a health food.
Can pregnant women drink non-alcoholic beer?
This is a personal medical decision. Most medical guidelines recommend avoiding all alcohol during pregnancy, and since most NA beers contain trace amounts (up to 0.5%), some doctors advise against them. For truly 0.0% options during pregnancy, Heineken 0.0 and several other certified alcohol-free beers are available. Always consult your healthcare provider.