From college parties to summer barbecues, beer has long held a cherished place in American culture. A growing trend has paved the way for non-alcoholic craft beer alternatives, with American breweries redefining the art of brewing and showcasing the essence of American brewing excellence without the alcohol (sorry, not you O’Doul’s).
Whether you’re seeking a health-conscious option, a designated driver delight, or want to avoid alcohol, here is our curated list of the best non-alcoholic American beer brands that everyone should undoubtedly try.
Also Read: 10 Best Non-Alcoholic German Beers To Try
13 Best Non-Alcoholic American Beer
Athletic Brewing Co.
I can’t talk about the best non-alcoholic American beers without introducing Athletic Brewing Co. Possibly the largest alcohol-free brewery in the United States right now, Athletic Brewing is doing lots of things right with their brews.
We’ve tasted and reviewed all of their core lines (check out all the reviews here), and one thing all of their brews have in common is the quality in its flavor complexity. Even the “basic” Lite is more than just a one-note light beer. Instead, you can taste the quality and quantity of the ingredients.
I’m a huge fan of Athletic Brewing, and I’ll leave you with one advice: go try the Free Wave Hazy IPA.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States)
Bravus Brewing Co.
As America’s first non-alcoholic craft brewery, California’s Bravus has been brewing delicious non-alcoholic craft beers before it was even a cool thing. I thought the Bravus Oatmeal Dark was a well-brewed non-alcoholic stout, while the Blood Orange IPA was crisp, refreshing, and citrusy.
Besides non-alcoholic beers, Bravus has also recently launched hop waters, a non-alcoholic Sparkling Rosé, energy tea, and CBD and Delta-8 hop waters.
Order direct from Bravus (within the United States)
Grüvi
Founded by a pair of enterprising Canadian siblings in collaboration with a Denver brewery, Grüvi’s journey has traversed a remarkable evolution — ascending from its humble origins of selling at local farmers’ markets to securing a robust presence across an expansive network of over 3,500 retail establishments throughout North America.
Their core non-alcoholic beer lineup includes a 2022 World Beer Cup Gold-Medal-winning non-alcoholic lager, plus a stout, juicy IPA, pale ale, witbier, and more.
I suggest trying the Golden lager, a non-alcoholic lager that outshone 130 competing non-alcoholic breweries at the renowned World Beer Cup, often referred to as the “Olympics of beer.” This lager boasts a delightful lightness and crispness and the added distinction of being both vegan and thoughtfully reduced in gluten content.
Order direct from Grüvi (within the United States)
Untitled Art
Wisconsin’s Untitled Art brews two of my favorite non-alcoholic American beers – the Juicy IPA and the Lychee Sherbet. In fact, every Untitled Art non-alcoholic beer I’ve tried have impressed me with the flavor complexity and mouthfeel.
Although not a 100% non-alcoholic brewery, Untitled Art has a rather large selection of alcohol-free beers. The non-alcoholic beers are brewed to full fermentation before the alcohol is removed through filtration.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States)
Woodland Farms Brewery
Brewed in a strip mall in Kittery, Maine, Woodland Farms Brewery takes its name from the family farm owned by the founder’s grandfather. Woodland Farms Brewery is actually Maine’s first non-alcoholic beer brewery, although they also brew regular alcoholic beers.
There are several highlights from the core range, such as the Pointer IPA – also known as Maine’s first non-alcoholic IPA! This juicy IPA is brewed with Amarillo, Cascade, Mosaic and Galaxy hops – sans booze. The Ruby Sour Ale is another of my favorites, and I’ll recommend it if you like fruity and sour beers.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States)
Atmos Brewing Co.
From the mountains of Hailey, Idaho, comes Atmos Brewing Co. – a non-alcoholic craft beer brewery founded in 2020 as part of Sawtooth Brewery. Atmos Brewing uses ingredients close to Idaho and untreated water from the Big Wood River in central Idaho.
There’s a lot to love about Atmos Brewing: from the small batch brewing they follow to the different beer styles available. I like the Cosmos Peanut Butter Stout for its roasty, chocolatey coffee notes, plus who doesn’t like the taste of peanut butter?
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States)
Rescue Club Brewing
Inspired by New England’s craft brewing roots and culture, Rescue Club Brewing is the first non-alcoholic brewery in Vermont. Its India Pale Ale is inspired by Vermont-style bright and hoppy IPAs (read our full review of the IPA here), while its Pils has the classic crisp and malt-forward characteristics you would expect from a Pilsner.
Rescue Club Brewing might be relatively new to the American non-alcoholic craft beer scene (it was founded in 2021), but its founders have been making beer in Burlington since 2004 under the umbrella of Zero Gravity Craft Brewery.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States)
Brooklyn Brewery
Brooklyn Brewery was established in 1988 by the collaborative efforts of Steve Hindy and Tom Potter. The duo decided to set up their craft brewery in Brooklyn, driven by a desire to revive the city’s historical significance as a hub for brewing excellence.
Fast forward to 2019, and they dropped a game-changer: Special Effects Hoppy Amber, their first crack at alcohol-free beer. That brew opened the door for more AF goodness – think pilsner, IPA, and hazy IPA, all under the Special Effects banner. They called it “Special Effects” because they taste like the real deal, even with zero alcohol vibes.
To achieve this, Brooklyn Brewery employs an innovative technique known as vacuum distillation, a process characterized by gentle heating that effectively removes alcohol while preserving the beer’s distinctive flavors and aromas.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States)
WellBeing Brewing
Produced within the heart of St. Louis, Missouri, WellBeing Brewery is an entirely alcohol-free brewery. The WellBeing Intentional IPA is a non-alcoholic IPA beer with delightful fruity characteristics of the Mosaic and Citra hops used to brew this beer.
Founded by an enterprising husband and wife team fueled by a desire to spark meaningful and enriched lifestyles, WellBeing Brewing has risen to prominence in the realm of non-alcoholic beer. Rooted in time-honored brewing methods of traditional beer brewing, all WellBeing Brewing’s beers are brewed like traditional beer before the alcohol is removed using vacuum distillation.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States)
Samuel Adams
Hailing from the vibrant city of Boston, Massachusetts, Samuel Adams has consistently held a special place as one of my favored choices among the mass-producted “craft” beers. The launch of their Just The Haze IPA into the realm of non-alcoholic brews sparked considerable buzz among my circle, with many friends noting its striking resemblance to a traditional beer flavor. After tasting and reviewing Sam Adams Just The Haze IPA, I can confirm they are right.
Samuel Adams Just The Haze IPA stands out as a non-alcoholic option, presenting a luscious and misty New England IPA profile. Its exceptional quality was acknowledged when it clinched the prestigious Gold Medal for Best Non-Alcoholic Beer in America during the 2022 Great American Beer Fest.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States)
Lord Hobo Brewing Company
First started as a Boston craft beer bar, Lord Hobo brings the New England style to its beers. Although not an alcohol-free brewery, Lord Hobo has jumped onto the NonAlc scene in 2022 with its Life non-alcoholic IPA.
I’ve not tried this Massachusetts-based brewery’s non-alcoholic IPA, but my friends have attested to its taste. Life is Lord Hobo’s first attempt at a non-alcoholic brew, and that’s surprising because of the good reviews it has gotten.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States)
Go Brewing
Illinois’ Go Brewing started in 2020 in a Chicagoland Garage but has quickly grown to become one of America’s top non-alcoholic breweries. Go Brewing is dedicated to crafting small-batch non-alcoholic beers using traditional brewing methods, and their brews have won both gold and silver medals at the prestigious Best of Craft Beer Awards.
They also have one of the widest ranges of non-alcoholic beers and have 11 to 12 rotating non-alcoholic brews ranging from the Gold Medal Award-Winning Pilsner to the New School Sour at any given time.
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Best Day Brewing
True to its name, Best Day specializes in crafting delectable non-alcoholic beverages to enhance every significant (and minor) occasion in life. Infused with a unique California flair, Best Day’s brews offer effortless enjoyment, whether you’re embarking on a hike, enthusiastically supporting your favorite team, or simply unwinding on your porch.
Not many breweries brew non-alcoholic Kölsch style beer, and Best Day Brewing’s Kölsch is one of the better-tasting alcohol-free Kölsch beers I’ve tasted.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States)