We put alcohol-free beers to taste test
Sainsbury’s Low Alcohol Cider
Made in the lovelysounding Much Marcle by Westons Cider, it tastes and smells like the real thing. A bit too sweet for a medium-dry drink, this would suit a barbecue. Best for... non-beer drinkers
San Miguel
This full-tasting Spanish cerveza with a good, beery smell would have topped the lot if it hadn’t been for the odd, sweet aftertaste. But, served with lots of tapas you won’t notice that. Even better, you won’t get tipsy and try your olé jokes on the waiter. Best for... tapas
It has been a favourite British tipple for decades, but now our traditional beers are changing. Brewer Heineken has reported double-digit growth in sales of alcohol-free beers.
So, with more of us opting for low or zero alcohol tipples, which brands taste best?
Here is my sober assessment of the booze-free brews...
Another one with a whole 0.4% alcohol, which really helps with the taste. This pale, hoppy effort from a small, German brewer tastes like beer, looks like beer and, more importantly, gives that nice beery mouthfeel – and burps!
Best for... craft ale drinkers
Siobhan gives verdict
Brewdog Punk AF
One of the first craft brewers, Brewdog originated in Scotland but is now mainly owned by a faceless conglomerate. Its beers are still loved by trendy millennials, though, and this very pale and bitterly hoppy IPA will be right up their street. Best for... hipsters
Birra Moretti
The head fluffed up in a glass like a meringue and, for a while, I couldn’t place the smell. Then it hit me – it gives off a whiff of rainy car windows. Good flavour, but followed by a slightly bitter, saccharine taste. Best for... dudes
Franziskaner Weissbier
A German wheat beer with a chubby monk on the label – though he surely didn’t put on weight drinking this. Tastes a bit like Weetabix but is refreshing, fruity and won’t put the oompah in your joompah.
Best for... bierkellers