If you are having trouble breastfeeding, you might have already heard the rumor that beer is believed to help increase milk production.
Yet if you’re a sober or sober-curious mom, consuming alcoholic beers for breast milk supply is not an ideal solution. Chronic or heavy drinking can negatively impact milk production as well.
Thankfully, non-alcoholic beers may help increase milk production without the harmful effects of alcohol. I share the seven best non-alcoholic beers for breastfeeding and breast milk production in this article.
Is Non-Alcoholic Beer Safe For Breastfeeding?
If you’re worried about drinking non-alcoholic beers while breastfeeding, don’t be. According to the US CDC and the UK NHS, moderate alcohol consumption is not known to be harmful to the baby.
According to a conducted study, moderate consumption of non-alcoholic beer is considered safe and unlikely to harm a breastfed infant.
Nonetheless, it is advisable to exercise caution and avoid excessive intake, such as consuming up to 1.5 liters of non-alcoholic beer, as this level of consumption was associated with the detection of ethanol in breast milk in two women out of fifteen in the study.
The recommendation for alcoholic beer stands at up to 1 drink/day of a 5% beer or 5 ounces of a 12% wine, and to wait at least 2 hours after a single alcoholic drink before nursing.
Since non-alcoholic beers have zero alcohol or less than 0.5% ABV, a moderate consumption of non-alcoholic beer is safe for nursing mothers.
If you want to learn more about non-alcoholic beer and breastfeeding, check out our other article here: Can I Drink Non-Alcoholic Beer While Breastfeeding?
7 Best Non-Alcoholic Beers for Breastfeeding
With so many non-alcoholic beers available, I’ve narrowed the options to non-alcoholic beers with as few traces of alcohol, are made with natural ingredients, and are ideally available in multiple countries. I’ve also prioritized the ones I’ve tried and liked.
Here are seven best non-alcoholic beers for breastfeeding, ranked according to the trace amount of alcohol listed on the labels:
Guinness 0.0 (0.0% ABV)
Stouts are known for being the best beer for breastfeeding, and Guinness is probably one of my favorite stouts. If you’re a fan of Guinness stouts, the Guinness 0.0 is the non-alcoholic version of its famed stout.
I think the Guinness 0.0 closely resemble the original alcoholic version in its flavor and even the mouthfeel. Since it doesn’t contain traces of alcohol, the body is little more watery and doesn’t have that “full-fat” mouthfeel. I still think it tastes amazing though!
Milk stouts are known for breast milk production, so I recommend this non-alcoholic stout if you’re thinking of drinking stout when breastfeeding.
You can read our full Guinness 0.0 review here.
Order online from non-alcoholic drinks retailers Proof No More (within the United States) and Dry Drinker (within the UK).
Bitburger Drive 0.0 (0.0% ABV)
Here’s a German non-alcoholic beer that is great for breastfeeding mothers. With completely zero traces of alcohol and brewed with natural ingredients, you can safely drink Bitburger Drive 0.0 while enjoying the classic German lager taste.
I find that it has a crisp malt aroma and taste and a presence of sour fruitiness. On palate, it has a light carbonation and medium body that is satisfying and refreshing.
I’m not sure if it will help with breast milk production like a milk stout, but it is a tasty drink companion when you’re breastfeeding.
Order online from non-alcoholic drinks retailers Proof No More (within the United States) and Dry Drinker (within the UK).
Heineken 0.0 (0.0% ABV)
What I like about Heineken 0.0 is that it is easily found in many supermarkets around the world and contains zero traces of alcohol.
Taste-wise, you won’t be blown away by the flavor notes, but it is perfect as a nice sober beer when you’re craving one.
It tastes close enough to the alcoholic Heineken, which is another plus when you’re skipping the alcohol but keeping the experience. There’s a reason why it is the best-selling non-alcoholic beer in the United States.
I’ve also reviewed the Heineken 0.0 here, so check that out if you want the full review.
Order online from non-alcoholic drinks retailers Proof No More (within the United States) and Dry Drinker (within the UK).
Erdinger Alkoholfrei (0.4% ABV)
You can read our full review of Erdinger Alkoholfrei, but here’s a summary: This is a damn tasty non-alcoholic German beer.
Erdinger Alkoholfrei is the non-alcoholic version of Erdinger Weissbräu’s famous wheat beer. This non-alcoholic lager has the taste and looks of a German beer, with a nice mouthfeel and a well-rounded flavor profile.
At 0.4% alcohol, you can relax and have a cold beer while not having to worry about any side effects on the baby. Plus, Erdinger Alkoholfrei contains vitamins B9 and B12, which contribute to the normal functioning of the body’s immune system and improve energy metabolism.
In terms of ingredients, it is brewed following the Bavarian purity law and only contains the following natural ingredients – water, wheat malt, barley malt, hops, yeast, and carbon dioxide.
Order online from non-alcoholic drinks retailers Proof No More (within the United States) and Dry Drinker (within the UK).
Bravus Oatmeal Dark (0.5% ABV)
Here’s another Guinness alternative if you like a good stout beer for breastfeeding.
With hints of chocolate, caramel, and roasted coffee, Bravus Oatmeal Dark is extremely smooth and delightfully refreshing. It was also the Silver medal winner at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival.
Taste-wise, I find the chocolate flavor not too overpowering, and the beer has an earthy flavor profile. It goes down smoothly, and I think it is simply one of the best non-alcoholic stout on the market (read our full review here).
Order online from Bravus directly (within the United States).
Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA (0.5% ABV)
We’ve done a full review of Athletic Brewing’s Run Wild IPA, and I think it is great for IPA lovers and those who enjoy lighter lagers or ales.
Athletic Brewing is making waves in the non-alcoholic beer scene, and for a good reason. They were the first non-alcoholic craft brewery in the United States, and their NA beers actually taste pretty darn good.
The Run Wild IPA is a well-balanced beer that’s piney and citrusy, although I think it could be hoppier and more full-bodied as an IPA.
Order online from non-alcoholic drinks retailers Proof No More (within the United States) and Dry Drinker (within the UK).
Clausthaler Original (0.5% ABV)
Clausthaler Original is Germany’s most highly awarded non-alcoholic beer, and has won several awards on a national and an international level. It even won the gold medal at the World Beer Awards in 2013 and 2015.
While the taste is as average as mass-available non-alcoholic beers go, it does satisfy a beer craving.
Read our full review of the Clausthaler Original for the full scope, but here’s a light and sweet-tasting lager for those who prefer their beer light and sweet while you are lactating.
Order online from non-alcoholic drinks retailers Proof No More (within the United States) and Dry Drinker (within the UK).
Conclusion
With these seven non-alcoholic beers, you don’t need to give up drinking while you’re breastfeeding. From IPAs to Pilsners to stouts, there are many non-alcoholic beer options to satisfy any cravings.