Six Winter Brews Without The Booze

With Dry January just around the corner, why not get a head-start on finding those cold-weather N/A brews?

If the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks is the official prophet of Fall’s arrival in late August or early September, then certainly its departure must be seen as a harbinger for the end. Alas, the beverage that’s more popular than Hot Apple Cider and a Hot Toddy combined has gone back into hibernation, which means it’s time to put those Oktoberfests and pumpkin ales in the rearview and get ready for some winter drinking. Don’t worry, if the thought of cold air and dry skin leaves you shivering, at least there’s plenty of non-alcoholic beer options out there to help warm you up.

With the landscape of winter-friendly N/A beers exploding, we felt the need to bring in some extra help to make our recommended provisions. After all, this list of brews may have to get you through Dry January, and as such these are decisions we need to take pretty seriously. Without further adieu, here then, are our humble recommendations for your jack frost brews.

Athletic Brewing Company First Ride (Milford, CT)

Athletic Brewing Company Lodge Life (Milford, CT), both recommended by Tyler McMahon, Reducaholic

Our first expert, Tyler McMahon, hails from Colorado, a state with plenty of experience in both winter weather and beer, so with that in mind we let him select two to start us off. Tyler’s high on a pair of Athletic brews, starting with First Ride, a porter-style selection, and Lodge Life, a seasonal, stout-inspired offering also from the largest craft N/A brewer in the U.S. Both conjure vibes of cold days spent hiking or skiing in the mountains, and either would clearly make for a perfect apres-ski.

“Athletic First Ride is a nice coffee porter great for the early afternoons in the fall and winter. Lodge Life, which comes out soon, is a great complement. A rich, flavorful evening beer that’s perfect for winter. Both are favorites of mine.”

– Tyler, Reducaholic (IG: @reducaholic)

Bravus Peanut Butter Dark (Anaheim, CA), recommended by NA Brewskey

We head east to Philadelphia for our next expert picker, NA Brewskey, and he has made a selection that would make Homer Simpson jealous. You can practically taste Bravus Brewing’s Peanut Butter Dark without even being in a room with one, and as he explains, once you do crack one open, the juice is certainly worth the squeeze.

This incredibly smooth brew is one of the best dark NAs you can find on the market. It is crafted with roasted peanuts, hazelnut, and chocolate, and they come together perfectly in every sip from start to finish. The creamy texture and nutty aromas keep you eager to pick it back up, and when it’s all done you’ll want to grab another one!

– NA Brewskey (IG: @na.brewskey)

War Chief Collection Yakima Chief Hops Dark (Walters, OK), recommended by Chi Jennings, mysoberaflife

We stay on the east coast for our next expert picker, who has selected a fantastically interesting, 100% Native-woman owned non-alcoholic brand called the War Chief Collection. Supporting indigenous communities with all beers sourced from Yakima hops grown on native lands, their new label aims to help combat alcoholism that is common in their communities.

“This War Chief non-alcoholic dark beer is like your favorite dark roast coffee—bold without the caffeine buzz. It’s light on its feet with a mild fizz, and it doesn’t crowd your mouth with froth when you pour it out. The taste is like a bite of a slightly burnt toast or a savory char, with the bitterness winning over sweetness. The finish is clean and smooth, a hallmark of the War Chief Collection brews I’ve tried. In short, it’s an unpretentious dark beer that’s straightforward and hits the spot.”

– Chi, mysoberaflife (IG: @mysoberaflife)

Nonny Dark Lager (Vancouver, BC)

Bravus Blood Orange IPA (Anaheim, CA), both recommended by the team at Soberish, an alternative spirit shop located in the heart of Atlanta’s Kirkwood neighborhood.

For our last two selections we consulted our friends at Atlanta’s newest AF bottle shop, and their picks tell us two important things. One, don’t forget about the Canadians when thinking about winter beers, and two, the best cold-weather brews don’t always have to be all dark and toasty, as full bodied styles like the right IPA can also be up to the task.

“The Nonny Dark is a silky sip with roasted coffee and biscuit notes, with a floral and spicy finish. Pairs nicely with pizza or grilled meat. The Bravus Blood Orange IPA is tangy, with notes of bitter orange peel and a light malty sweetness. Pairs well with winter salads and shellfish.”

– The team at Soberish (IG: @besoberish)

So there you have it. Regardless of your tastes, there’s bound to be something for you on this list. Just don’t wait too long to get these brews, and enjoy those cold winter days and nights on the horizon.