Craving a non-alcoholic dark beer with the familiar rich, full-bodied flavor?
With advancements in non-alcoholic brewing techniques, many breweries have begun producing non-alcoholic stout beers that are just as flavorful and satisfying as their alcoholic counterparts.
From velvety chocolate notes to a smooth coffee finish, I share the best non-alcoholic stout beers that offer the rich, smooth flavor you’d would expect from a traditional stout.
- My favorite non-alcoholic stout is Bravus Oatmeal Dark, because it has all the aroma and flavor notes you’d expect from a stout.
- If you’re looking for a sweet NA milk stout, I like the taste of UNTITLED ART Chocolate Milk Stout.
- But if you prefer drier stouts, I like the dryness of Grüvi Stout.
- If you’re in the UK, I have enjoyed Big Drop Galactic Milk Stout and Drop Bear Bonfire Stout.
How I Judge A Non-Alcoholic Stout
Traditionally, stouts come in different varieties, and we’re seeing these varieties with non-alcoholic stouts as well.
An oatmeal stout has a softer mouthfeel, while a milk stout feels smoother. I like chocolate stouts because they taste like chocolate milk.
A good alcohol free stout should have a heavy, creamy body, balanced roasted malt sweetness and hop bitterness, and flavor notes of dark cacao, coffee, and caramel.
Some non-alcoholic stouts I’ve tasted have a light body and thin mouthfeel, so I’ve eliminated those from this list.
I also favor non-alcoholic stouts with a strong, dark roasted malt taste, which is the backbone of any stout.
My Favorite NA Stout: Bravus Oatmeal Dark
When it comes to a non-alcoholic oatmeal stout, Bravus Oatmeal Dark checks all the boxes with its creaminess and dark toffee notes. I enjoy that it pours black and has all the aroma and flavor notes you’d expect from a stout.
This non-alcoholic version is perfect for those who enjoy the taste of Guinness.
It features subtle notes of chocolate, caramel, and roasted coffee, along with a stout-like mouthfeel that’s sure to satisfy.
Its exceptional taste was even recognized at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival, where it won the Silver medal.
Check out our full review of the Bravus Oatmeal Dark here.
Order from Bravus directly (within the United States).
Best Non-Alcoholic Porter: Athletic Brewing All Out Extra Dark Stout
Athletic Brewing was one of the first to create a non-alcohol dark beer and it has already taken the world by storm, selling out of stores and winning major awards.
Originally called All Out Stout, Extra Dark is a porter/stout-style non-alcoholic beer.
During our tasting review of the Athletic Brewing All Out Stout, we tasted flavor notes of roasted grains, followed by coffee, and a hint of dark chocolate.
There is some bitterness (IBUs 20), but it’s short-lived and quickly transitions to a smooth milkiness. The finish is smooth, although slightly bitter.
If you’re looking for a real stout, it’s important to know that Extra Dark is more of a porter.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States) and Dry Drinker (UK).
Best Non-Alcoholic Dark Beer: Woodland Farms Dark Stout
Straight out of Maine, USA, this non-alcoholic dark stout pours a deep black color and boasts a thick, light brown foam head.
If you’re a fan of the dark, bold flavor of stout beer, this one won’t disappoint, as it features a complex blend of deep-roasted and toasted notes that lend it a rich, full-bodied character.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States).
Best Irish Stout Alternative: Grüvi Stout
Grüvi’s non-alcoholic stout is crafted in Denver, USA, and it has a traditional, roasted stout flavor and aroma.
This NA stout uses a blend of abbey malt, which gives it a taste of nuttiness and subtle hints of honey. On the nose, I also get scents of coffee and nuts.
If you enjoy a dry, Irish stout, you’ll love this well-bodied non-alcoholic stout beer.
Order from Grüvi directly (within the United States).
Best Affordable Stout: Guinness 0.0
We can’t talk about the best non-alcoholic stout beers without talking about the drink that inspired all stouts: Guinness.
For those who crave the taste of the beloved dark stout, Guinness 0.0 offers a non-alcoholic dark stout alternative with a remarkably similar flavor profile.
While the body may be slightly less dense than its alcoholic counterpart, I like that it still manages to deliver a satisfying drinking experience that comes pretty close to the original.
So, if you’re a fan of Guinness and looking for an alcohol-free option, Guinness 0.0 is definitely worth a try. Check out our Guinness 0.0 review here.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States) and Dry Drinker (UK).
Best Milk Stout: UNTITLED ART Chocolate Milk Stout
This non-alcoholic milk stout from Wisconsin is as decadent as it sounds.
Infused with cacao nibs and milk sugar (lactose), I like that this chocolate milk stout features notes of dark chocolate/cacao, roasted grains, and milk chocolate.
Another thing that I should commend is the velvety mouthfeel, which is a perfect complement to the rich chocolate notes.
The sweet, luscious finish will satisfy any sweet tooth (such as mine).
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States).
UNTITLED ART S’mores Dark Brew
Here’s another non-alcoholic dark beer from UNTITLED ART.
The S’mores Dark Brew is a sweet chocolatey dessert beer with aroma notes of marshmallows and chocolate – imagine how s’mores smell.
When I drink this, it feels like I’m drinking s’mores mixed with thick and sweet chocolate milk.
I love the smooth, rich mouthfeel with flavors of marshmallow, graham cracker, and toasted malts.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States).
For Those In The UK: Big Drop Galactic Milk Stout
With multiple awards to its name, this non-alcoholic milk stout has a luxurious, creamy mouthfeel that’s complemented by a thick, frothy head.
This stout has a rich, dark taste with hints of honeycomb flavor, balanced by bitter chocolate and dark-brewed coffee notes.
I like that it has a fuller, richer body that many other non-alcoholic stouts don’t, probably due to its use of lactose during brewing.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer ZeroZilchZip (UK).
Drop Bear Bonfire Stout
This non-alcoholic dark beer from Wales reminds me of a traditional Irish stout meets German Rauchbier.
It uses specialty malts, giving it a flavor mix of roasted coffee and smoky notes. I also like that the subtle hints of dark chocolate lend an added layer of richness to the overall flavor profile.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Dry Drinker (UK).
Nirvana Brewery Dark & Rich Stout
Nirvana Brewery was launched in 2017 in the UK, and their dark stout is known to be one of the better-tasting NA dark beers in the UK.
I love its chocolatey richness and strong notes of black malt and bread. A hint of coffee adds the perfect finishing touch to its complex taste.
For those who appreciate the bold flavor of dark roasted malts, I think you’ll love this non-alcoholic stout beer.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Dry Drinker (UK).
Nøgne Ø Svart Hvit Non-Alcoholic Milk Stout
Brewed in Norway, the Nøgne ø Svart Hvit non-alcoholic milk stout is crafted from malted barley, hops, yeast, water, and a healthy dose of lactose for a full-bodied creaminess.
The flavor profile of this milk stout is dominated by rich coffee notes, with just a hint of toffee and caramel to round it out.
With its thick, velvety mouthfeel and notes of toffee, caramel, and milk chocolate, I think it is a well-brewed non-alcoholic milk stout that’s not to be missed.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Dry Drinker (UK).
Jump Ship Stoker’s Stout
Scottish Jump Ship Brewery takes it’s inspiration from the stokers who used to fuel the coal fires of a ship’s engine to create the Stoker’s Stout.
I love how creamy and decadent it feels, with aromas of roasted coffee and chocolate.
The use of oats instead of lactose gives it a fuller body, and the addition of cacao and vanilla adds richness to the flavor.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Dry Drinker (UK).
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