When we both started our sober and sober-curious journeys respectively, the choice of non-alcoholic beers was not that exciting. They were malt beverages with a skunky taste masquerading as beers. Thankfully, non-alcoholic craft beers soon became a thing, and Athletic Brewery Company is a huge reason why non-alcoholic craft beers have taken off so quickly over the last couple of years.
Besides brewing amazing non-alcoholic beers, Athletic Brewery Company is also known for their wide selection of flavors, including their core lineup and seasonal beers. So which Athletic Brewing beer is the best? We put seven of their bestsellers to a test to find the best Athletic Brewing flavor.
- We tried 7 different Athletic Brewing Co. non-alcoholic beers
- Our favorite has to be Free Wave – the non-alcoholic Hazy IPA with lots of flavor and amazing mouthfeel
- All the flavors are really good though, so it was hard to rank them!
Also Read: The Complete Guide To Athletic Brewing Co: 13 Must-Know Facts
The Best Athletic Brewing Flavor
We went shopping on our favorite non-alcoholic drinks online retailer Proof No More and added to cart seven Athletic Brewing beers, including their most popular Run Wild IPA, Upside Dawn Golden, and our soon-to-be-favorite Free Wave Hazy IPA. Here’s what we thought (ranked from least favorite to favorite):
#7 – Athletic Brewing All Out Extra Dark (3.5/5 stars)
Athletic Brewing was one of the first to create a non-alcohol dark beer. This brew, aptly named Extra Dark, is between the porter and stout styles.
We were impressed by the intricate layers of flavors, the foam head retention, and the well-balanced flavors evident throughout Athletic Brewing’s All Out. The body and carbonation seemed tailor-made for this beer style, a departure from our usual experience with dark brews that often leaves us feeling heavy.
We must admit that dark beers aren’t our preference when it comes to beer choices, which might have somewhat clouded our objective judgment. Nonetheless, if we had to drink a non-alcoholic dark beer, we’d readily opt for Athletic Brewing’s All Out.
Read the full Athletic Brewing All Out review here.
#6 – Athletic Brewing Wit’s Peak (3.5/5 stars)
During Audrey’s early explorations into the world of beer, she held an insatiable fondness for mildly sweet witbiers like Allagash White and Hoegaarden White. These wheat-centric brews are recognized for their cloudiness, and traditionally incorporate coriander, citrus, and other flavor components.
We found Athletic Brewing Wit’s Peak to be flavorful and with a level of complexity that kept us intrigued. On the downside, the body teetered on the brink of being too light. While it’s characteristic for wheat beers to possess a lightweight nature, Wit’s Peak did feel a little too watery for our liking.
Additionally, the finish left a bit to be desired. The flavors offered an interesting and captivating journey, yet they seemed to vanish without any gradual fade-out.
Read the full Athletic Brewing Wit’s Peak review here.
#5 – Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA (3.5/5 stars)
Marketed as the “ultimate sessionable IPA for craft beer enthusiasts,” Athletic Brewing Company’s Run Wild IPA stands as one of the most acclaimed non-alcoholic beer options currently available.
The experience of consuming Run Wild was smooth and effortless, yet it didn’t quite attain the level of hoppiness or robustness I typically seek. The interplay between malt and hops results in a well-rounded beer imbued with piney and citrusy undertones. We think both IPA aficionados and those with a penchant for lighter lagers or ales will like this IPA.
Read the full Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA review here.
#4 – Athletic Brewing Cerveza Athletica (4/5 stars)
Crafted using Vienna and Munich malts, as well as the noble German Hersbrucker hop, this light copper beer draws inspiration from Mexican flavors. Although it boasts a light body, Cerveza Athletica doesn’t compromise on flavor.
The taste profile is characterized by a wide range of flavors, and you can definitely taste the mix of hops, malts, and florals. Overall, it feels more intricate than typical Mexican beers.
Read the full Athletic Brewing Cerveza Athletica review here.
#3 – Athletic Brewing Athletic Lite (4/5 stars)
Don’t confuse Athletic Lite with Coors Lite or Miller Light. While resembling a light beer akin to a pilsner or Helles lager, Athletic Lite impressively sidesteps the common pitfalls that often befall light brews. The flavor are gentle, the profile maintains simplicity without inducing monotony, and the body retains a lightweight quality but not watery.
Is this the best Athletic Brewing flavor? Not quite, but it undeniably stands as a commendable selection—one I would not hesitate to purchase again. I see myself drinking this regularly, particularly after a demanding jog or intense HIIT session.
Read the full Athletic Brewing Athletic Lite review here.
#2 – Athletic Brewing Upside Dawn Golden (4/5 stars)
You’ll likely find a lager or golden ale in a brewery’s core lineup because that’s what the average beer drinker consumes. Athletic Brewing takes a regular golden ale and turns it into an infusion of hoppy fruit notes, almost akin to a more subdued rendition of an IPA.
If you’re in search of the typical golden ale experience, the pronounced fruitiness and hoppy character might not align with your expectations of a golden. But I urge you to be open to exploration and try this crisp and refreshing non-alcoholic golden ale.
Read the full Athletic Brewing Upside Dawn review here.
#1 – Athletic Brewing Free Wave (4.5/5 stars)
Drum rolls, please, because we just found the best Athletic Brewing flavor and quite possibly our favorite non-alcoholic beer, period! This 2022 International Beer Challenge Gold medal winner is brewed with Amarillo, Citra, and Mosaic hops, giving it an incredibly strong juicy, floral, and citrus character.
Free Wave is one of the best-smelling non-alcoholic beers we’ve tasted, while the full-bodied character and hoppy bitterness make Free Wave taste about as close to an alcoholic beer as you can get. True to its 50 IBUs, Free Wave is extremely hoppy and bitter.
Read the full Athletic Brewing Free Wave review here.
Conclusion
We love Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic beers so much that we have them stocked up in the fridge (and that says a lot because we review all sorts of non-alcoholic beers for One Club Sober!). Athletic Brewing Co. is one of the best non-alcoholic breweries right now, and they are getting the flavors, styles, and nutrition right. This makes us very excited about the future of non-alcoholic beers!
You can purchase Athletic Brewing in the United States here, or here if you’re in the UK.