12 Non-Alcoholic Summer Beers
It’s almost summer beer season, so get the kayak strapped to the roof, and we’ll help you pick up the right non-alcoholic suds.
It’s Memorial Day weekend, and you know what that means, right? Summer is officially here. The days have become longer, the temperatures warmer, and before we know it, the local pool will be packed out again. It’s not too early to be thinking about which non-alcoholic beers to stock up on for those outdoor occasions that are just around the corner. There are so many more options than existed in 2023 when we began tracking these, but fear not, we’ve got you covered to help you pair down the list. Below is an (updated) rundown of some of our favorite sunshine-friendly near beers that have made their way across our tasting bar, divided into groupings by style. Cheers to warmer days ahead.
The Yeastly Behemoths
No, we aren’t talking about hops, and since this is N/A, not alcohol-content, either. Rather, we’ll start with the non-alcoholic options that are easy to find in the wild at many major grocery stores, convenience stores, and even gas stations. Because sometimes when you’re on your way to the beach or the lake there’s not a Whole Foods or Total Wine & More to be found, and you just need something good to sip on while you stare at the open water. The good news is Athletic Brewing Company has widespread distribution across the U.S., and a handful of other larger craft breweries and even macro producers have come out with tasty options for the occasion.
Athletic Lite - the Miller/Bud Light of the craft N/A scene.
Athletic Cerveza Atletica - Crushable Mexican-style offering with malty flavors.
Blue Moon White Wheat - bonus points for packing an orange peel in the cooler.
Bero Brewing Kingston Golden Pils - Tell them Spiderman sent you.
The Beach Blondes
If there’s one style of beer that has many good N/A options to choose from, it’s the blondes, or as they’re sometimes called, golden ales. An embarrassment of riches in this category means a plethora of options for your next trip to the store, many with limited calories to boot. Here’s a list of four we’d keep handy in the fridge at least through September.
Busty Lush She’s Golden Blonde - a versatile N/A classic that’s built for summer.
Sierra Nevada Trail Pass Golden - also easy to find, this golden has the goods.
Gruvi Golden Lager - sparkly and crisp carbonation, perfect for a hot day.
Easy Man Golden Pale - this easy-drinker includes 3mg of THC for a relaxed buzz, but without the hangover.
The Patio Pounders
Why should blondes have all the fun? Lighter non-alcoholic offerings can come in plenty of other styles, including pilsners, wheats, and kolsches, all just begging for a patio on a sunny afternoon. Luckily there are great options available in these popular craft styles, too. Here’s a mix of lighter options that will help you maintain that beach bod through the summer.
Float House THC Lite - made with THC, this brew was made to chill by the pool.
Momentum Brewery Dry Run Pilsner - is there anything better than a crisp pilsner on a patio?
Best Day Brewing Kolsch - a lemony finish that follows a crisp, refreshing taste.
Untitled Arts Italian Pilsner - an N/A classic worthy of drinking along the Amalfi, you might even get lucky and find this one on draft.