10 of the best low-alcohol beers in America

The 10 best low-alcohol beers in America have been identified in a new list that outlines which brands and styles are most admired.

Starting at number 10 and counting down, the analysts at the investment advisors Insider Monkey drew from their report of the ‘20 best low-alcohol beers in America’. Here are the results, counting down to the number one best low-alcohol beer of all.

10. Deschutes Brewery: Black Butte Non-Alcoholic

This 0.5% ABV beer is a non-alcoholic version of Black Butte Porter and has been said to deliver delicious flavours and balanced drinkability. Apparently, it is so similar to the popular original it was based on, many are surprised that it is not the same beer. The Portland-based Deschutes Brewery has always been family owned and operated, plus an employee stock ownership initiative was set up back in 2013, so employees can also now own a percentage of the company and support.

9. Untitled Art: NA Juicy IPA

Untitled Art, which was founded by Levi Funk of Madison, Wisconsin’s Funk Factory Geuzeria and Isaac Showaki of Octopi Brewing, just outside of Madison, in 2016, began because there were no hazy IPAs being brewed in the state at the time. TThis 0.5% ABV version of its mainstay Juicy IPA has been brewed as the full-strength Juicy IPA (with Citra & Mosaic hops) and then run through a reverse osmosis system that filters out its alcohol through high pressure and extremely fine membranes keeping in a lot of flavour.

8. Athletic Brewing: Cerveza Atletica

The 0.5% ABV Mexican-inspired beer Cerveza Atletica is made with a blend of Vienna and Munich malts that give it a beautiful copper colour and floral noble hop notes on the nose thanks to Hersbrucker featuring in the brew.

7. Brooklyn Brewery: Special Effects Hoppy Amber

An uncompromising beer when it comes to flavour, this 0.4% ABV hoppy brew uses a special fermentation method that develops the flavours, aromas, and character with generous dry hopping which give it supreme drinkability.

6. Athletic Brewing Company: Run Wild

A 0.5% ABV session IPA that has been brewed with a blend of five Northwest hops resulting in what is deemed an approachable bitterness and, additionally, this beer is only 65 calories. Win-win.

5. Dogfish Head Brewery: Lemon Quest

A 0.5% ABV wheat beer that has been brewed with lemon puree, blueberry juice, acai berries, monk fruit, sea salt, and Hopsteiner Polyphenol-Rich Hop Pellets. A distinctive and flavourful beer that has been positioned as a good refreshment option for those with an active lifestyle since it weighs in with only 90 calories per 12oz. can. Dogfish Head is part of The Boston Beer Company which bought it out in 2019.

4. Goose Island: So-Lo

Goose Island So-Lo is a full bodied 3% ABV IPA that is low on calories, big on hops and beautifully balanced. With a citrus and herbal aroma and along with a deftly drinkable bitterness it is also only 98 calories per serving. Goose Island is owned by AB InBev which acquired the Chicago-based Goose Island Brewery in 2011 for US$39 million.

3. Clausthaler: Dry Hopped

This 0.5% ABV beer is full-bodied, amber-coloured and has hints of malty caramel thanks to being dry-hopping with Cascade. Additionally, it is kept unfiltered to allow extra flavour.

2. Samuel Adams: Just The Haze

A 0.5% ABV IPA that has been brewed and then de-alcoholised to retain as much flavour as possible. Just the Haze recently won a Gold Medal for Best Non-Alcoholic in America at the Great American Beer Festival. Samuel Adams is owned by The Boston Beer Company.

1. Athletic Brewing Company: Free Wave

A hugely popular and yet still much-underrated beer. This 0.5% ABV Free Wave Hazy IPA is a beer that has been rumoured to not cut corners when it comes to flavour. Thanks to a mouthwatering blend of Amarillo, Citra, and Mosaic hops it’ll have you reaching for it time and time again. Plus, you can buy it online and a 6-pack will set you back just US$13.99.