Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA Review (<0.5% ABV): Worth Trying?

Updated: April 19 2023

Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA is a malty IPA made with five types of hops. The brand has a huge following in the US but is starting to expand abroad.

As a huge IPA fan, I was very excited to try this and see if it meets my IPA needs. Check out my Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA review to see if this beer is worth the hype.

Described as the “ultimate sessionable IPA for craft beer lovers,” Athletic Brewing Company’s Run Wild IPA is one of the most decorated non-alcoholic brews available on the market today. Some of its awards include:

• 2022 Gold Winner European Beer Challenge
• 2022 Gold Winner U.S. Open Beer Championship
• 2022 Gold Winner World Beer Awards

If these awards are any proof, Athletic Brewing Company is doing something right. That something is a closely-guarded proprietary method of brewing beer with plenty of taste and no alcohol.

The result is an impressive lineup of NA beers that let craft beer lovers indulge in the tastes they love without sacrificing their performance, passions, or health.

As a testament to their commitment to providing athletes with delicious non-alcoholic beer options, Athletic Brewing Company is the official non-alcoholic beer partner to the USA Triathalon and Ironman.

Related: The Best Non-Alcoholic IPAs: 20 Non-Alcoholic IPAs You Should Try

Where is Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA brewed?

Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA is brewed in two locations: one on the East Coast of the United States and one on the West Coast.

The East Coast brewery is located in Milford, Connecticut, while the West Coast brewery is located in San Diego, California. 

Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA ingredients

Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA is made from water, organic Vienna malt, malted barley, oats, hops, wheat, and yeast.

Athletic uses a blend of five varieties of Northwest hops in its IPA, with Citra and Mosaic at the forefront (presumably).

I say presumably because Athletic Brewing doesn’t divulge its secret hop blend. However, there are notes of citrus and pine in both the aroma and the taste indicating the presence of these hop varieties.

Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA nutrition

With 65 calories per 12-oz/355-ml serving, Athletic Brewing Run Wild’s calorie count is pretty standard for a non-alcoholic beer.  One serving has 14 grams of carbohydrates, of which about a third is sugar. While this is a normal amount of an NA beer, it’s a bit high for an everyday drink in my opinion.

Here are some more nutrition facts to check out:

Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA Review

Looks & Aroma

Athletic Brewing Run Wild pours a dark amber color and has the slightest bit of haze. The white head was almost non-existent except for a slight bit of lacing around the edges of the glass.

The aroma was a lovely blend of light, citrusy (grapefruit and orange) hops, bready pale malt, pine, and a hint of pine.

Taste

This beer has a medium body and feels silky smooth going down. As the lack of head indicated, the carbonation was minimal and the bubbles went down smoothly.

Flavors that came up included grapefruit, citrus, lightly-roasted barley, and a touch of pine at the finish.

Verdict – Is Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA worth it?

The balance of the malt and the hops creates a well-balanced beer that’s piney and citrusy. It’s an approachable beer both for IPA lovers and those who enjoy lighter lagers or ales.

Despite the promising reviews and flavor profile, I was disappointed with this beer. Maybe it’s because I had such high expectations given all of the awards. Or maybe it’s because I was hoping this would be a solid replacement for the NEIPAs I used to love so much.

Either way, Athletic Brewing Run Wild just didn’t live up to the hype for me. Don’t get me wrong, Run Wild was easy to drink and went down smoothly, but it wasn’t as hoppy or full-bodied as I would have liked.

That said, I’d be happy to give it another try (perhaps poolside on a hot summer day) but I’m pretty sure the search for my holy grail non-alcoholic IPA will continue.

I will point out that I’m pretty particular about my beers, so I don’t want to deter others from trying what seems to be a universally enjoyed drink.

It’s well-priced and readily available at a number of online retailers, so definitely give it a shot if you’re curious.

Where to Buy Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA?

Beer lovers in the United States can buy Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA from online retailer Proof No More. Proof No More offers several size options including single cans, 4-packs, 6-packs, 12-packs, and 24-packs.

In the UK, you can purchase Run Wild IPA from ZeroZilchZip.

Other key FAQs about Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA

Is Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA vegan?

This beer does not contain any animal products and therefore is vegan. It’s also worth noting that the plant-based ingredients used to make Run Wild come from non-GMO sources.

Is Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA gluten-free?

Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA contains several ingredients that are not safe for those following a gluten-free diet. These ingredients include wheat, barley, and malts.

If you’re looking for some delicious, non-alcoholic beers that are gluten-free, check out our Ultimate Guide To Gluten-Free Non-Alcoholic Beer.

Is Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA suitable for diabetics?

With more than 4 grams of sugar per can, we don’t recommend Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA for diabetics. This amount of sugar will spike blood sugar for those with either Type I or Type II diabetes.

Thankfully, there are a number of sugar-free non-alcoholic beers that are perfect for those living with diabetes. Check them out here: Best Non-Alcoholic Beer For Diabetics.

Did you like this Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA review? Check out other Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic beer reviews:

• Athletic Brewing Upside Dawn Review (0.5% ABV)
• Athletic Brewing Cerveza Athletica Review (0.5% ABV)
• Athletic Lite Review (<0.5% ABV)
• Athletic Brewing Wit’s Peak Review (<0.5% ABV) NA Witbier
• Athletic Brewing All Out Review (<0.5% ABV)