Updated: August 13, 2023
After many years of traveling, I’ve come to the conclusion that countries are either wine countries or beer countries. Spain, France, and Argentina are wine countries, whereas Belgium, Ireland, and Germany are beer countries.
Not to dump on Belgium or Ireland, but Germany in particular stands out to me. With its centuries-long brewing traditions and strict purity laws, German brewing is as close as you can get to a religion without hosting weekly services.
Thankfully for us non-drinkers, Germans also know how to brew non-alcoholic beers with the best of them. To honor these tasty beverages, I’ve compiled a list of the 9 best non-alcoholic German beers you can try from the comfort of home.
Also Read: 9 Oktoberfest Non-Alcoholic Beers to Try This Fall
What Makes a German Non-Alcoholic Beer?
Aside from being made in Germany and containing less than or equal to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), non-alcoholic German beers have to abide by Germany’s strict Purity Law (referred to as Reinheitsgebot in German).
This law was introduced by Bavaria’s Duke Wilhelm IV in 1516 and was later adopted throughout the entire country. It stipulates that beer can only be brewed using three key ingredients: water, malted barley, and hops. These are still the main ingredients in German beer, but the law has relaxed a bit since the 16th century. Now brewers are allowed to brew using yeast, coriander, bay leaf, and wheat.
The primary goal of the Reinheitsgebot was to maintain the quality and purity of beer, ensuring consumers received a consistent product. It also aimed to prevent the use of additives, fostering a competitive and reliable brewing industry.
This law has not only become a symbol of German brewing tradition but also played a significant role in shaping the country’s beer culture, emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship and natural ingredients in brewing. Still, not everything is rosy. Many think the law should be abolished, as this would allow for more innovation and craft brewing in Germany.
10 Best Non-Alcoholic German Beers
Erdinger Brauerei Non-Alcoholic Weissbier Beer
Erdinger Alkoholfrei was one of the first non-alcoholic beers we sampled, so I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for it. But nostalgia aside, this wheat beer (weissbier) is one of the tastiest non-alcoholic beers I’ve tried.
It pours a beautiful yellow color and has a thick head that lingers. Aroma-wise, it doesn’t have much going on, but the medium body and unmistakable sweetness transported me back to Munich.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States) or Dry Drinker (UK).
Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Alkoholfrei
When a beer comes from the world’s oldest operating brewery, you know it’s got to be good. Weihenstephaner’s non-alcoholic wheat beer (hefeweissbier) lives up to its reputation. In fact, it’s won gold, silver, and bronze medals at the World Beer Awards.
What makes it so good is the brewing technique. Other breweries stop the fermentation process early when making non-alcoholic brews. This prevents alcohol from forming, but it also eliminates a lot of the flavor.
On the other hand, Weihenstephaner allows the fermentation process to do its thing, then removes the alcohol later. The result is a non-alcoholic beer with all the flavor of an alcoholic one.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States).
Beck’s Blue
Created in 1993, Beck’s Blue was one of the first non-alcoholic beers to hit the market in the United States. Like all German beers, this pilsner is brewed in compliance with German Purity Laws, meaning it contains only four natural ingredients: water, malted barley, and hops.
On the nose, Beck’s Blue has notes of malted barley and roasted grains. The flavor, which is clean and refreshing, won’t blow your mind, but it’s a solid non-alcoholic option you can find just about anywhere. You can read our full Beck’s Blue review here.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States).
Clausthaler Original
As its name suggests, Clausthaler Original is one of the non-alcoholic brewing OGs. The flagship product was launched in 1972 and has won a number of international awards, including gold medals at the World Beer Awards in 2013 and 2015. Like the other brews on this list, Clausthaler abides by German Purity Laws and contains only a few ingredients: water, hops, yeast, malted barley, and carbonic acid.
Compared to similar non-alcoholic lagers, Clausthaler Original is pretty sweet. Along with the sweetness, there are some hints of grassy hops. The body and mouthfeel are pretty light, but that’s to be expected from a beer of this type – read our full review of Clausthaler Original here.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States).
Clausthaler Dry-Hopped
Clausthaler Dry-Hopped brings together German brewing know-how and Cascade hops from the United States to create a truly delightful beer. This brew, which is the first non-alcoholic of its kind, is full-bodied and bursting with hops and malty caramel flavors. The aftertaste is distinctively citrusy, inviting you to take sip after sip.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States) or Dry Drinker (UK).
Clausthaler Grapefruit Non-Alcoholic
Whether you’re a fan of sweeter beers or are just looking for a refreshing summer drink, look no further than Clausthaler’s Grapefruit non-alcoholic brew. This tasty beverage mixes Clausther Original non-alcoholic beer with all-natural grapefruit juice to create a first-of-its-kind blended beer.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States).
Bitburger Brauerei Bitburger Drive Non-Alcoholic
Bitburger Drive is a 0.0% ABV pilsner brewed in compliance with German Purity Laws. It’s light, refreshing, and crisp — just what you’d expect from any great pilsner.
On the nose, it has a honey-like aroma that’s complemented by ripe grain and bitter hop notes. The flavor is a mixture of slight hop bitterness, sour fruitiness, and malt sweetness.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States) or Dry Drinker (within the UK).
Maisel’s Weisse Alkoholfrei
An acclaimed isotonic wheat beer, Maisel’s Weisse Alkoholfrei has received numerous beer awards as one of the best non-alcoholic wheat beers. In the German market, it is cleverly positioned as a sports drink due to its enriched vitamin content and lower calorie count (33% less compared to the company’s alcoholic wheat beer).
In our Maisel’s Weisse Alkoholfrei review, we marveled at the beautiful foam head, true-to-name grainy wheat flavor, and enjoyable mouthfeel.
Order from Amazon UK or non-alcoholic drinks retailers Wise Bartender or Dry Drinker (within the UK).
Einbecker Non-Alcoholic Pilsner
Hailing from northern Germany, Einbecker is a hoppy non-alcoholic pilsner that will please all of the hopheads out there. Still, the flavor is well-balanced. Those with sharp palates may be able to detect notes of grass and grain. The mouthfeel is pretty light, but that’s not out of line for this style of beer.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States).
Krombacher 0.0 Pilsner Non-Alcoholic
Brewed in Krombach, Germany, Krombacher’s non-alcoholic pilsner is a 0.0% ABV brew that’s refreshing and easy to drink. It’s made with naturally soft rock spring water, dried malt, and Hallertau Siegel hops.
On the nose, there’s a well-balanced blend of bready malts and bananas. When you take a sip, you’ll notice the malt backbone and gentle hop notes. The malt sweetness is quite strong in this Pilsner, giving Krombacher a sweet, malty flavor profile (read our full review here).
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailers Wise Bartender or Dry Drinker (within the UK).
Non-Alcoholic German Beers FAQs
What is the maximum alcohol content of alcohol-free beer in Germany?
Like in the US, German law requires that drinks contain less than 0.5% ABV to be considered non-alcoholic.
Is alcohol-free beer popular in Germany?
Germans love their alcoholic beers, but they’re almost equally fond of the non-alcoholic variety. In fact, Deutscher Brauer-Bund (DBB), the German brewers’ association, notes that non-alcoholic beer has been the fastest-growing category for the last 12 years running. Not only that, but DBB estimates that 10% of all beer consumed in the country will be non-alcoholic within a couple of years.
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I love Germany..and German beer. I have also quit drinking and was back in 2014 dec…and I don't look back..but I miss the taste of that German beer…I've had Paulianer beer n.a and it was ok.I can't wait to try what you have recommended. Thanks, and proud of your sobriety, it's not easy but worth it.
Let us know what you think of these non-alcoholic German beers! There are so many options these days, we are spoilt for choice.