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Athletic Brewing Variety Pack
Run Wild IPA, Upside Dawn, Free Wave — from ~$26/24-pack
Bottom Line
Athletic Brewing is the best non-alcoholic beer brand in the United States. Not the best NA beer you can get at a specialist — the best full stop. If you only try one NA beer, make it Run Wild IPA. If you want to explore the full range, you won't be disappointed by any of it.
About Athletic Brewing
Athletic Brewing Company was founded in 2017 in Milford, Connecticut, by Bill Shufelt and John Walker. Shufelt, a hedge fund analyst who had given up alcohol, couldn't find a non-alcoholic beer he actually wanted to drink. So he partnered with Walker, an experienced brewer, to build one from scratch — a brewery dedicated entirely to making great non-alcoholic beer, not as an afterthought.
The approach was different from day one. Most NA beers are made by brewing regular beer and then removing the alcohol — a process that strips flavor along with the ABV. Athletic developed proprietary brewing processes that produce craft-quality beer without ever generating significant alcohol in the first place.
The result launched a category. Athletic became the best-selling craft NA beer in America, expanded to a second brewery in San Diego, and has partnered with trail running events, triathlons, and pro athletes who use their beers as genuine recovery drinks. By 2025, they were one of the fastest-growing beverage brands in the country.
Every Core Beer, Reviewed
⭐ Run Wild IPA
The flagship. Hoppy, complex, and genuinely satisfying. Citrus and pine aromas, a real bitterness backbone, clean finish. The gold standard of NA beer.
Upside Dawn Golden Ale
Lighter and more approachable than Run Wild. Subtle citrus, gentle malt sweetness, ultra-refreshing. Perfect entry point for NA beer skeptics.
Free Wave Hazy IPA
Their most complex beer. Hazy, juicy, tropical fruit-forward. Tastes indistinguishable from a premium hazy IPA to most drinkers.
Cerveza Athletica
Light, clean, refreshing lager with a squeeze of lime. Made for warm weather. Not complex but doesn't try to be.
Athletic Lite
Genuinely impressive at 25 calories. Light and watery as expected for the style, but it hits the brief for low-cal drinkers.
What We Love
- Run Wild IPA is genuinely indistinguishable from craft IPA for most drinkers
- Wide distribution — Whole Foods, Target, Costco, Amazon
- Purpose-built NA brewery (not an afterthought)
- Range covers every major beer style
- Used by pro athletes as a real recovery drink
- Consistent quality across every SKU
Worth Knowing
- —Not true 0.0% ABV (up to 0.5%) — Heineken 0.0 if you need zero
- —Priced like premium craft beer ($12–$16/6-pack)
- —Limited-edition All Out series sells out fast
- —Some seasonal beers are hit-or-miss vs. the core range
Who Athletic Brewing Is For
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Athletic Brewing actually alcohol-free?
Athletic Brewing beers contain less than 0.5% ABV, which legally classifies them as "non-alcoholic" in the U.S. They are not 0.0% ABV. For most people this is negligible — a ripe banana has roughly the same alcohol content — but if you need true 0.0%, look for Heineken 0.0 instead.
Where can I buy Athletic Brewing?
Athletic Brewing has become one of the most widely distributed NA beers in the U.S. You can find it at Whole Foods, Target, Costco, Total Wine, and most grocery chains. It's also available on their website (athleticbrewing.com) and Amazon.
Is Athletic Brewing good for you?
Athletic Brewing beers are significantly lower in calories than regular beer — Run Wild IPA has about 70 calories compared to 150+ for a standard IPA. They're also a source of B vitamins and electrolytes, which is why many athletes use them as recovery drinks. They're not a health food, but they're considerably better for you than alcoholic beer.
What is the best Athletic Brewing beer?
For hop lovers, Run Wild IPA is the flagship and still the best. For something lighter and more approachable, Upside Dawn Golden Ale is excellent. Free Wave Hazy IPA is their most complex option. All Outs are limited-edition beers that often match or exceed full-proof craft equivalents in complexity.
Is Athletic Brewing worth the price?
At $12–$16 for a 6-pack, Athletic Brewing is priced like premium craft beer. Given the quality — genuinely comparable to many alcoholic craft beers — we think it's worth it. If you're drinking it daily and cost is a concern, Heineken 0.0 at $10/6-pack is the best value alternative.
Ready to try Athletic Brewing?
Best value is the variety 24-pack on Amazon — usually 25–35% cheaper per can than grocery stores.