Beer is considered to be one of the oldest beverages in the world and has been popular with crowds ever since. Over time, brewing has shifted to focusing on tastes and different fermentation processes to make companies stand out from each other. But in recent years, there has been a demand for non-alcoholic beverages, including beer. So how exactly is it made and should you consider making the switch?
What Is A Non-Alcoholic Beer?
First of all, non-alcoholic beer doesn’t mean that there is no alcohol content, so don’t think that there aren’t non-alcoholic beer calories present. According to regulations, beer needs to have a specific alcohol-by-volume range, usually above 2.5%. Non-alcoholic beer, on the other hand, has less than 0.5%, but it can vary between manufacturers. It is brewed in the same way as normal beer, but it goes through an additional process that removes or reduces the alcohol content. This can be done through a number of methods:
- Limited fermentation: the fermentation process is carefully controlled so that the amount of alcohol created in the process is limited. This can be done by using less yeast or fermenting at lower temperatures.
- Vacuum distillation: beer is heated within a vacuum where the alcohol is boiled off at a lower temperature.
- Reverse osmosis: beer is filtered through a membrane in order to remove the alcohol.
Non-alcoholic beer is a great alternative for those who enjoy the taste of beer but don’t want to deal with the effects of alcohol. And with modern technology, companies have been able to improve the flavor of beer and provide a wider variety of options for those who want something different.
Different Kinds of Non-Alcoholic Beers
Just like regular beer, there are different kinds of non-alcoholic beers too, from IPAs to stouts to porters. It really depends on what taste you’re going for. Here are the different kinds of non-alcoholic beers for you to consider.
Lagers
Lagers are created using bottom-fermenting yeast that works at colder temperatures. As a result, a cleaner, crisper beer is created that has a more subdued flavor for people to enjoy.
IPAs
IPAs have become the talk of the town when it comes to beers. IPA stands for Indian Pale Ale and is known for its strong bitter flavor. That’s because manufacturers use a lot of hops, as well as add floral or citrusy aromas. They tend to have higher alcohol content levels too because of the extra hops that are used.
Porters
Originating in London in the 18th Century, porters are a dark robust beer that has a malty flavour at the forefront. They are less intense than stouts and have a hint of sweetness to balance the mild bitterness from the hops.
Stouts
Stouts are dark, full-bodied beers that evolved from porters. They tend to have rich, roasted flavors such as coffee, but can also have other flavors like chocolate and caramel. They have a creamy texture and tend to be dark in appearance.
Wheat
You would think that all beer comes from wheat, but that’s not true. Wheat beer is light and cloudy in color, typically with barley added to create a creamy texture when drinking. It has a light flavor that most find refreshing. It is most popular in Germany and Belgium.
Pilsners
Pilsners are a type of pale ale that originated in a town called Pilsen. They are clear and golden, with a crisp refreshing taste that is also balanced with the sweetness of malt. There is always the slight bitterness that follows from the hops.
Ales
The opposite of lagers, ales are brewed using top-fermenting yeast that works at warmer temperatures. This results in the production of esters and other aromas that create a beer with more complex tastes to them. This is where ales really shine because manufacturers can tailor ales to have a signature flavor that’s unique to them.
Sours
Sour beers use wild yeast strains and bacteria that make beers more sour than in other production methods. Instead of using wild strains, manufacturers can add acids or other souring agents to achieve the same effect.
How To Choose The Best Non-Alcoholic Beer
Finding a non-alcoholic beer that you’ll like is going to be an exercise in experimentation and research. Because of the large types of beers that are out there, it might be some time before you find one that you really enjoy. Here are some ways you can find the best one.
- Doing a taste test: what better way to find out which ones you’re going to like other than tasting them for yourself? Most non-alcoholic beers are available at most restaurants and bars, allowing you to try out a variety of what they have available. Even if you don’t see any on a restaurant’s menu, you can still ask your waiter who can make a few recommendations.
- Trusting your palate: don’t go with the popular opinion; just because everyone is drinking it doesn’t mean you have to like it. Go with beers that you actually enjoy the flavor of, despite the peer pressure you might experience.
- Reading reviews: reviews of non-alcoholic beers can give you some idea of what flavor profiles you might be looking for. Some might be more fruity than others while some can have the strong hops bitterness that you may or may not enjoy. Read several reviews as well to compare, as one non-alcoholic beer with a positive review may also receive a negative review from someone else.
If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic beer that’s going to suit your tastes, consider getting some suggestions from friends, waiters at your local restaurant, or taking a trip to a liquor store to see what is available. Just be sure that you’re choosing wisely, doing proper research, and trusting your instincts. Be sure to drink responsibly. Even though the alcohol content of non-alcoholic beer isn’t high, drinking enough of them may be able to make you intoxicated, and that’s not a good thing if you plan on driving.
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