Beer expert blind tastes low-alcohol lagers for Dry January

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

SEE THIS PEOPLE. THIS IS SACRIFICE. What's the best low alcohol beer you've ever had? I need to find more good ones!

[@IamHaunted52]

Some that i like a lot are "All Out" from Athletic brewing (Stout) and No Worries from Lerwig (IPA). Also enjoy an Erdinger every now and again to. I'd recommend Athletic brewing and Big drop as a whole.

[@indiekiduk]

Best I've had is Brulo's Lust For Life DDH IPA with Citra, Simcoe & Mosaic

[@edmundwhite9864]

Mash Gang's Stoop hits the spot. As does the Brooklyn Special Effects.

[@sammedd-sygrove6703]

Loah are great! Especially their peach lager

[@autonomica]

Rothaus' Hefeweizen is a pretty good effort I thought

[@ATocke]

In Germany there is a brewery "Clausthaler" just brewing low-alcohol beers! They are the gold standard for low-ABV beers in Germany for me! Especially the "Clausthaler Naturtrüb" is worth having a try, having such fresh hop- and near to perfection balanced malt character! If possible for you guys, try to get your hands on one 🙂

[@AndreyRubtsovRU]

Clausthaler is SO expensive in ex-ussr countries but... they don't live up to their brand. yes. v good. but there are some local n/a brands easily defeating them

[@nopenopenein8243]

Yeah, super weird that it is not included here. Clausthaler Naturtrub is probably the best alcohol beer out there.

[@tobbemann]

Taste like wort to me, I think Lucky Saint is miles better than Clausthaler!

[@tobbemann]

Although german Clausthaler might be better than the one we get in Norway

[@heindaddel7074]

Normal Clausthaler is quite boring to me, try Clausthaler Naturtrüb, far better.

[@GillesCatteeuw]

Great vid Johnny! Incidentally, Lucky Saint and Brooklyn Lager are my go-to AF mid week bevvies 👍

[@noobaccasolo]

I was positively surprised by Mash Gang first time I tried them, esp. the Stoop and the Stoop Dry (I think that's what it was called). Definitely my favourite low ABV beer I've tried thus far.

[@vincentr.6109]

What makes these blind taste tests interesting is the educational value. Sensory profiles vary from person to person, but watching this I'm eager to understand what autolysis is. I did not know what acetaldehyde was until I heard about it in a similar video. I usually keep Athletic Run Wild IPA in my fridge.

[@jasuindiloan]

Anything Lowtide makes is close to the same level of Mash Gang. Those two are the leaders in Non Alcoholic beer for the moment if you ask me. Many of what De Proef makes (for Mikkeller... but also for themselves like Boerbloem) has been decent! BRULO can be on the money too.

[@garethpotter]

Just cracked open a Beck’s that someone left in my fridge over Xmas. Despite your very poor score, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it, washing a delicious cheese and ham sandwich down. Lucky Saint though - really lives up to the hype, and I’m not really a lager drinker.

[@geographyinaction7814]

There is an excellent ISA in Canada, brewed by Partake. The beer has a true hoppy flavour and the bitterness you get with British beers like a proper English ISA or Bitter.Their beers in general are okay, but the ISA or IPA as they call it, the green tin, is amazing. 0-2 carbs as well!

[@BetmmaTipsUFC]

Came here to see if you hated Lucky Saint as much as me and it's your go-to 😆 Only had it once so wonder if I just had a duff one or a dirty glass but it smelled like sweat to me. I know it's not lager but if I have to go no alcohol, I usually go with Erdinger.

[@andrewpbarry]

Nice taste test. I would love to see a field trip / talk to the brewer video on L/A brewing. I think it's *really hard* to make good LA beer. We're spoiled for good options with craft beer these days, but this is where there is still some real innovation that's needed.

[@LP290792]

This is exactly the video I need! Big drop’s pine trail pale ale is really good so surprised their lager scored so poorly.

[@doctorsam1953]

I’ve had the lager - not a patch on Paradiso or Pine Trail.

[@willescott88]

Their milk stout is also really good

[@DanBowsher]

It is rank, to be fair.

[@mrben6573]

Loved the video. Would it be possible for you to make a video about "less alcohol beers"? As I understand it, a few hundred years ago the most commonly drunk beer was "table beer" or "small beer", and these were usually around 2% alcohol. This was the kind of beer you'd drink for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Finnish home made "koti kalja" (cottage beer) is the same idea, a low alcohol beer that's drunk for breakfast lunch and dinner even by school children. I feel like this is a very overlooked kind of beer. People are familiar with the beers that are around 0.5% ABV, and beers that are around 5% ABV and above, but a 2% or 1.5% beer is not something most people would be familiar with. Those lower alcohol beers in the 1.5%-2% range are completely overlooked, despite historically being so ubiquitous and important.

[@HS-nh2bd]

Very useful video. Suggestion: For larger reviews, allocate 5 points (not 10) for aroma and 5 points for a new category “carbonation/refreshing”. The reason being when we drink larger we drink to quench thirst and for the flavour but not so much for the aroma. One additional general comment - given that carbonation is an important element of larger, I believe it’s best not to swirl it too much as carbonation gets reduced and changes the character of the larger - given refreshing nature is such an important aspect of a larger. Best regards

[@WeCanBeatTheSun]

Funny you mention the baked beans, I find I get that with a lot of witbiers, not sure what causes that kind of aftertaste and smell

[@Its__Good]

I went for the Peroni at my local this evening after your advice. Good stuff. Request for next time - could you throw in some of the aldi/Lidl stuff as I guess a lot of us drink it.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Interesting idea! Not got one near me but I should include it in things like this

[@prycedavies4828]

Thank you, I was waiting for this video! I have tried a few NA beers so far and I think Guinness NA is the best!

[@TheVindalloo]

Rothaus is my go to low alc beer here. Just got some from the garden brewery, croatia. Quite good

[@mrougelot]

Finally someone else tastes geraniums in alcohol free beers! I thought I was the only one who gets that vibe.

[@laurencefromLondon]

I was in Slovakia last month. Unlike the Czech republic the spirts section of the supermarket was much bigger than the beer section and most of the beers were low alcohol. The ones I tried were very supermalt like. I mainly stuck to the Pilsner Urquell. I think Wheat beer works best for low alcohol recommend the Andechts.

[@gogista]

Beerwise, Slovakia is really bad when compared to Czech Republic. For non/low alco beers as well. There is one very good Slovak one though. It's called Nilio. Not sure if you can get it in Supermarkets.

[@leehaseley2164]

The best no-alcohol beer I ever had was a wheat beer made by Est33, owned by Singh, here in Thailand. It was full-ish in body and tasted a little like fruit on breakfast cereal. Wheatbix specifically. 🤣🤣

[@tjnkins]

Great video. Have ordered some Lucky Saint and Brooklyn to get me through the month as a result! Wondering if it’s worth another tasting video reviewing low ABV beers around the 2-3% mark. Thinking Kernel Table Beer, Small Beer etc. It would be good to get your thoughts on the middle ground between standard strength beer and 0.5 for when we get out of Jan and want a tasty beer but limiting alcohol intake.

[@adamrobinson3929]

Also thanks for the video - I love to balance it out with some 0% beers from time to time. They never taste as good as the real thing - but like you say, it's good to have a quality alternative in case you're driving or taking a break from alcohol 👍🏼

[@bishbosh4815]

Where does that soapyness come from? Also the baked bean taste? Coz I get that a lot, especially from more metallic lagers

[@adamrobinson3929]

You're spot on about the Big Drop. Their lager is really disappointing, but their Paradiso Citra IPA and their Pine Trail pale ale are banging. Their Galactic milk stout is also pretty decent.

[@doctorsam1953]

Totally agree with this. They are great beers but the lager is not in the same class. The Porter is pretty good too.

[@heindaddel7074]

I do enjoy Clausthaler Naturtrüb, Störtebeker Atlantik Ale and Insel Brauerei Snorkelers Sea Salt IPA. A lot of Hefeweizen are really decent, if you find a Dunkles Hefeweizen you might even get used to it.

[@audiencepleasepodcast]

I would also recommend Signature Brewery’s Lo-Fi. It is my favourite right now. Loads of flavour.

[@unklestu]

Would have been difficult to do the Guinness zero blind. But that’s a belter.

[@ethangriffiths7802]

I started drinking a lot of that as it was so cheap for cans of it in one of my local shops. Really enjoyed it and when I had a proper Guinness (only usually drink on weekends) it was even better

[@ScottReviewsThings]

Another great video Johnny. Cheers.

[@RavconRecords]

Wish you would do a blind taste test of traditional Brit macro ales (w/alcohol). Not much access where I'm at in the states, but it would be good to know the best bottled/canned representations in case I ever run across them.

[@Lezel62]

My current favorite is Bravus blood orange IPA. I also like Clausthaler dry hopped and Guinness 0. Saint Paulie NA will do in a pinch.

[@jmounce50]

Here in the USA low alcohol beers that I drink (4% or less) are Dog Fish Head Slightly Mighty IPA, Corona Platinum with a Lime (summertime pool beer) Ultra Gold and Amstel Light sometimes. If I can find a low ABV lower calorie micro I’ll choose it any day over Ultra or Amstel. If I’m going no alcohol it’s a simple choice, anything by Athletic Brewing Company (impressive)as someone mentioned above and Samuel Adams just the Haze.

[@sh4dowchas3r]

Mash Gang are absolute wizards. Nearly all no/low alcohol things I try once and decide not again. I will look out for Mash Gang stuff. The recent(ish) Vault City & Mash Gang collabs were brilliant. "Only In Dreams" and "To the Stars" and going further back "The Schoff".

[@davidferrett9848]

Thank you for enduring that so we can cut to the chase if ever needed... And as ever, great entertainment

[@jameshill80]

I was very surprised by Leffe's AF and have bought a few 6 packs. Really was a roll of the dice as it was either going to be nice or a car crash. No idea how they get that typical Belgian flavour to come through. I'm sure it's got some adjuncts in like vanilla and clove. It actually tastes like a 2.5-3% session version of Leffe 👌

[@mcnichollsdj]

Now that sounds like it's worth a punt. Cheers!

[@pauldee1577]

"who committed these crimes against beer" gave me a hearty chuckle haha

[@richharper8159]

Thanks for ensuring I won’t bother trying those macro ones. Lucky Saint also always in the fridge. Was Rothaus prior to that. Going to try some Mashgang after hearing good things. I’m guessing a jump in price from £1.50-£2 for first two.

[@willescott88]

Yeah, had a Google and it’s selling for around £3.40.

[@Neil1977]

Have you tried Drop Bear? They are a small brewery based in Swansea, they are getting me through dry January🍻

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

I have! Enjoyed some of theirs especially a Porter I forget the name of

[@Neil1977]

@@TheCraftBeerChannel Bonfire Stout

[@yannbeersom]

I’m from Spain, I’m surprised by what you said about the non-alcoholic spanish beers, drumstick loolies?

[@tenchman4526]

Thanks again. Very much enjoyed it. Would like to see a blind taste testing of zero alcohol beers sometime. Are they worthwhile or pointless?

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

You mean ales like IPAs and such? Might do it next year

[@tenchman4526]

I was just thinking of macro breweries but if you’re generally calling low alcohol beers mostly pointless I’m thinking that zero alcohol is almost certainly pointless?! Although you do have good things to say about some low alcohol ones…. Maybe there’s a beer or two that do serve a purpose?? May as well order lemon, lime and bitters?!…..

[@leehaseley2164]

Would the baked beans be a sulphur compound which occurs due to an incomplete or stressed lager yeast fermentation?

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Could be! I think perhaps it is DMS presenting slightly different due to all the other process going (or indeed not going) on

[@jakehiom7214]

I often get DMS as baked beans or tinned tomato soup. The morning after a coolship brew the whole cellar would smell like it.

[@st4ndaman]

I stopped drinking beer a few years ago and switched to zero alcohol alternatives. My favourites are Paulaner helles and Sam Smith's brown ale.

[@JoelMitchell1]

I noticed you tried Mash Gang's pilsner "Stoop" but not their *actual lager* which is called "cheap lager" - any reflections on how they compare?

[@stefanmccurley5951]

What a palette you have absolute pro there

[@SpiegelDasKaetzchen]

I love your channel. Weird thing is, I don't even drink beer that often.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Glad you still find it all entertaining!

[@doctorsam1953]

As soon as you picked up the Heineken I thought ‘he’s going to smell bananas!’

[@shoreline4]

I like "Upside Dawn" brewed by the Athletic Brewing Co., Stratford, Conn and San Diego, California, USA

[@danielpreston5044]

Great video this. Would have been good to see how Erdinger alcohol free would sit in this. One of my favourite supermarket af lagers, edges out lucky saint (for me anyway). Glad mash gang came out so well in this

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Do Erdinger have an AF lager or do you mean the Weissbier (which is excellent)?

[@jameshill80]

@@TheCraftBeerChannel They do. Strangely they don't call it a beer though. It says "Isotonic drink" on the label which has put me off buying a bottle...

[@alexandraengland3274]

​@@TheCraftBeerChannel I second the recommendation of Erdinger. It's one of the only ones I've had that I will go out of my way to buy.

[@albahathri]

Good to see the Brooklyn score well. We try to keep a few of those in the fridge for non drinking days of the week 🙂.It has the mouth feel of a proper beer. I find most of these "beers" really unbalanced and you are better off drinking water tbh

[@johnp8131]

Interresting to hear what you say about the Jever and the Budva? They tend to be our go to standard 'Macro Pilsners' for me and my German mates. So now at least I now know that the Jever still retains its extra bitterness. Shame about the real Czech Budweiser (not the Yank rubbish). Surely none of it can be as bad as Clausthaler and Kaliber are/were? It would be interesting to see something similar with darker beers?

[@CicadaMania]

Congratulations Mash Gang!

[@adsfisher]

Would like to have seen how Clausthaler compared which is on my list to get

[@jimbrennan1181]

Thanks for doing this Jonny; I certainly don't want to do it! - I'm only kidding. If my doctor told me I couldn't drink alcohol anymore I'd go for NA beers over water most of the time. 😉

[@f.lapointe4343]

I found out lately that many macro low-alcohol "beer" don't use yeast ... so no fermentation I presume... so can we call them beer?

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

So they must be the 0.0% ones. And in that case, no. They should be called malt beverages.

[@7paintboy]

Hilarious. The Tube cued up a Corona 0% ad right after the bad review reveal. Haha

[@oliverhemmings1978]

Lucky Saint is decent, when I learnt that they use weihenstephan's yeast I appreciated it even more!

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Well it is the most popular lager yeast in the world!

[@benjaminboswijk9091]

Before even watching I hoped you liked stoop from mash gang that’s my favourite 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@justina.6769]

I love when soda companies use the same phrases "if you love Dr. Pepper than you'll love Diet Dr. Pepper."

[@NatsuMatto]

Favorite moment -- Jonny says "zero malt character, zero flavor, zero bitterness" and then proceeds to give the beer all 4's 😅

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

it was carbed, and looked like beer, and didn't kill me. That's 4 in my book

[@oscarosullivan4513]

@@TheCraftBeerChannel I’m not doing Dry January I am doing damp January like every month of the year.

[@NatsuMatto]

@@TheCraftBeerChannel fair. 😂

[@MichaelAndersen_DK]

Regarding getting the alcohol out: aren't there a few yeasts that don't generate that much alcohol during fermentation? And I'll stick to my trusted Jever - cheers!

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

There are yeasts that don't ferment all of the sugars easily, though lots needs to be done to ensure that and make the beer stable.

[@thekentishpilgrim]

I’ll continue to welcome low to no ABV beers that taste really, really good! I hope i can say that for more and more as time goes on.

[@ae333]

Got to get some Athletic Brewing, best NAs in the game!

[@Rabash90]

... and you even found out the clear bottled Corona was skunky... well played sir... well tasted!

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Thanks! You you drink as much bad lager as I do, skunk and corn stick out like a sore thumb

[@neilbowers6956]

LowTide makes some great AF or Low ABV beers. Hammerton make a good one called Zed. Oh, and worth searching out BRULO.

[@Mikkogram]

If you can get it Störtebeker Atlantic Ale (alcohol free) is somewhat decent

[@gth]

Thanks Jonny! Another infesting insight to low-alcohol beers. But please, for the love of all that is security, update your Google Chrome browser! 🤣

[@kbrichmo8547]

The Golden from Athletic is quite good

[@danieltaylor3737]

German non-alcoholic wheat beers are about the only half decent non-alcoholic beers I've tried (Paulaner and the like). Think it's the wheat giving it some half-decent mouth feel and texture. They are still sweet as heck though and don't really hold a candle to full alcohol versions. If I'm having a no-drinky day, or I'm sober driver, I tend to just resign myself to my fate and order a ginger beer.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Indeed - wheat beers are the perfect vessel for low alcohol. But some of these were really very good.

[@mikeslostworld5178]

They keep searching for the Unicorn.

[@whytester]

Have to recommend goram ipa zero to anyone missing ipa hoppiness this dry january

[@alexwatts2941]

I believe the baked beans smell is Mercaptan

[@soccerphyico]

"I'm the beer expert." Really stirring the hornet's nest with that one, eh? But I dig it, keep up the good work.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

I live to poke trolls.

[@andrewsteer8860]

I’ve been sticking to Lucky Saint so far, does a decent job. My issue with Mash Gang is the price. What I’ve been doing to support my bottle shops is to buy a few beers ready for February 1st!

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Good man! And yes it is the issue with craft low alcohol - not much cheaper than the full strength stuff. But it's a really excellent beer!

[@bradleyzdroik7237]

Hofbrau Session Lager is amazing

[@TheRogueDM]

I've tried a couple of brands that specialise in AF beer and Athlete beer is really good... when it's not green. Apple juicy as hell. Green AF craft beers are something I've been getting a lot so for me they're really hit and miss unfortunately.

[@jameshill80]

I was pleasantly surprised at how good Athlete's Run Wild IPA was. I was hoping it wasn't as dull as the can "art". Up their with Lucky Saint and Brooklyn's Special Effects in my opinion 👌

[@helpfulcommenter]

Is "Athlete" the same as Athletic Brewing Company? From Austin TX

[@jameshill80]

@@helpfulcommenter yes, that was a typo 😄👍

[@Cakeashake]

Brulo is the best one I've come across by a mile

[@zeveroarerules]

Energibajer missing? Last year Northern Monk had a patreons project collab with a skate shop. That was a 0% hop-bomb. I'd drink that just over some regular beers.

[@dapotatoboy4066]

johnny’s upgraded from beer expert to beer geek 😅

[@Slycockney]

One question, why are low/non alcohol beers so expensive?

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Great question. So in terms of ingredients and time they cost the same to the brewery - no shortcuts there. But you do need VERY expensive equipment for the osmosis and distillation methods. They are also less shelf stable and usually made in much smaller batches which adds to cost. However, you also pay now alcohol duty on them. So in summary... not 100% sure. They should be a little cheaper.

[@Slycockney]

@@TheCraftBeerChannel Thank you for replying. I appreciate that you are effectively going through a similar brewing process to an alcoholic beer, but there doesn't seem to be a great incentive to get you to buy them. Didn't realise there was now excise duty on them, that's a bit mean.

[@davidellis6468]

Non alcoholic beers that actually taste like beer I can get behind but I still can't wrap my head around why people drink it. If you can't drink beer because you're driving or going dry for some time etc. that people would go for a poor facsimile of the real thing, just drink juice or water. Or am I missing a point here? Brilliant thought provoking infotainment, loving your work.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

I used to feel the same but these days I drink a lot of low alcohol beer. The good ones really deliver the flavours I'm looking for and love - malt sweetness, hop aroma and bitterness. The lack of body means they will never be the same but they can fill that role on dry days.

[@lewismarriott2468]

Because some people enjoy beer for the flavour, the occasion and experience. Unfortunately alcohol comes with poor physical and mental health. Hangovers etc.

[@timmoss8510]

San Miguel is from Philippines...

[@tonybeatbutcher]

Did you guys tried Belgian Table beer (Tafelbier) yet it's around 2%.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

I have not! Is it a brand or a style?

[@Dlabanec64]

Do a Geuze blind tasting!

[@godsownatheist3675]

Jonny taking one for the team.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Waddya mean?! I took 20!

[@godsownatheist3675]

@@TheCraftBeerChannel I'm raising a beer to you, an alcoholic one, of course.

[@poofygoof]

IME age has a LOT to do with the freshness and flavor of NA beers -- they don't seem to have the shelf life that regular beer has, and I suspect that the age-related flavor compounds generated are different than than their alcoholic counterparts.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Oh absolutely! We made sure all these were relatively fresh (none of 3 months old) but even so I think some had been abused in that short time

[@toucantangodesign]

Zot Sport for the win

[@tobbemann]

The best low alcohol beer in the world for me is No Worries from Lervig!

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

great beer!

[@bishbosh4815]

I really want to do a blind taste test for my unfiltered truth

[@MaltAndPepper]

I'm often a bit disapointed after watching reviews like these - I already always get Jever (I like the dry bitterness) and Rothaus, apparently it doesn't get much better...(in lagers anyway). I hate wort flavors in low-alc beers. You skipped many Dutch versions - Bavaria is well known - but they all taste like wort.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Well it's worth tracking down Stoop for something very different, and Lucky Saint is brilliant... but yeah it doesn't get any better than Rothaus really.

[@MaltAndPepper]

@@TheCraftBeerChannel they sound great. But I do have the (dis) advantage of being close to Germany, so they might be hard to find. We do have specialized stores. I recommend Vandestreek for craft Dutch AF, they are getting pretty good at it and it is a core product.

[@adamg.manning6088]

Big Drop ran a mid-roll advert on this video. Maybe they should have watched it first.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Did they now?! Well to be fair I have enjoyed some of the IPAs but that lager was poor.

[@lukasjager2085]

It always blows my mind that those boring, normie-ass, television-commercial German Lagers like Jever and Krombacher actually do quite well in your tastings :D I love the tasting videos, keep them coming. As for recommendations on alcohol-free beers I have to fanboy out over our local Faust brewery again. Their alcohol-free pilsener is nice and the alcohol-free Hefeweizen is stellar. Still local unfortunately, so you have to take a trip to Germany eventually ;)

[@johnp8131]

The best alcohol free beer I ever had was 'Diebels Alt Alkoholfrei', on draught, back in the early nineties. In a couple of pubs around Mönchengladbach. I don't think it was actually alcohol free though and I'm pretty sure it only comes in bottles these days, unless you know otherwise?

[@Margarinetaylorgrease]

Just watched Charles Bamforth and he made the comment that to much DMS leads to a blackcurrant taste.

[@normlang1994]

I get that this a NA lager review, but Guinness 0 is easily the best NA Macro beer available.

[@andrewcornmesser6385]

Everything from Athletic Brewing Co. Period. Their IPA is amazing!

[@rhythmicallydivine]

Brooklyn's one is the only one that I have properly enjoyed out of the ones I've tried. I can never drink more than 2 of them though, lose interest

[@adventuresofnoodle]

Baked bean aroma, possibly DMS?

[@adventuresofnoodle]

Or Heinz adjuncts?

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Haha yeah I think DMS is the most likely offender. Just surprised to see it in beers by these breweries.

[@adammyren8279]

If 4-4-4 make you burst out like prime Michael Scott when Toby is back in The Office. What kind of reaction would you get if you tasted an even worse beer?

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Not sure I've tried any beers worse than that. Those scores are for "looks right", "has carbonation", "isn't poisonous".

[@adammyren8279]

@@TheCraftBeerChannel So you would probably die if you drank a beer rated 1-1-1

[@XxHMGrantxX]

Is it just me or maybe it’s my wallet telling me to stick to the coors and splurge on the higher abv beers

[@ScottReviewsThings]

Really good to see Mash Gang do well here.

[@beaudwayful]

Don't like Parma Ham and Melon?!?!? 4,4,4 is your rating. :) Great vid though!!!

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

I mean I love them now!