Light beers have a bit of a reputation for being watered-down and lacking in flavor. So when I first got my hands on Athletic Brewing’s Athletic Lite, I wasn’t sure if it was going to be another light non-alcoholic beer that was light in calories AND taste.
Athletic Brewing has been taking the non-alcoholic beer scene by storm, so will their Athletic Lite make me forget I’m drinking a light beer?
Let’s crack open a cold one and dive into my full Athletic Lite review of its taste and aroma, and where to order Athletic Lite.
A Quick Look At Athletic Lite
As its name suggests,Athletic Lite is a light beer close in style to a pilsner or a Helles non-alcoholic lager. But don’t confuse it with Coors Lite or Miller Light.
Sure, it’s low in calories and made from the same simple ingredients, but this version is alcohol-free. That means you can enjoy all of the good times with none of the hangovers.
If you’re interested in learning more about Athletic Brewing, we’ve written a complete guide to Athletic Brewing with fun facts about their non-alcoholic beers.
Athletic Lite Review
Looks
Athletic Lite pours a clear golden color. It has lots of carbonation, but not much in terms of a head (about half a finger). Most of it bubbled off in the space of a minute, so I’d call this moderate head retention.
Aroma
On the nose, Athletic Lite smells mainly of milled grain and spicy hops, although there are some hints of floral and lemon.
As a testament to its accuracy as a non-alcoholic light beer stand-in, this smelled exactly how I was expecting it to.
Taste
On the palate, the grains are pretty crisp and there are notes of yeast. The floral and citrus from the nose also come in to round out the flavor.
There is some bitterness from the hops, but not much (Athletic Lite has 25 IBUs). All in all, the flavors are fairly mild, but I would expect nothing less from a light beer.
Likewise, the mouthfeel is light to medium, which aligned with my expectations.
Overall, Athletic Lite is crisp and refreshing, perfect for a post-workout refreshment. This might also be a good option to stock for your next BBQ or beach trip.
Athletic Lite Ingredients
Athletic Lite contains water, organic malt, organic rice, organic wheat, hops, and yeast.
More specifically, Athletic Lite uses a Noble hop blend. Noble hops are classic European varieties and include Hallertauer, Mittelfrüh, Tettnang, and Spalt. They’re often used in pilsners and Continental lagers.
Athletic Lite Calories
A 12oz/355mL can ofAthletic Lite contains 25 calories, 5g of carbohydrates, 0g of protein, and 0g of fat. I knew this was a light beer going in, but I couldn’t help but be surprised by just how light it is.
Given the relatively low carb count, this could be a decent option for those living with diabetes. We’ve also written an article about 8 more non-alcoholic beers that have no or low sugar and carbs.
| Avg Quantity Per Serving (12 oz/ 355 ml) | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 25 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 5g |
| Protein | 0g |
| Fat | 0g |
Final Verdict Of My Athletic Lite Review
I’ll be honest with you, I enjoyed Athletic Lite a lot more than I thought I would.
You see, I was really expecting this beer to be bitter, bland, and all-around nasty. What can I say? I’ve been burned by one too many light beers.
But Athletic Lite somehow managed to avoid all of the traps light beers usually fall into. Its flavors are delicate, the profile is simple without being boring, and its body is light without feeling watery.
Is this my favorite non-alcoholic beer? No, but it’s a pretty solid option and one I would definitely buy a second time.
In particular, I could see myself enjoying this after a tough run or HIIT workout. It’s also a solid option for your next BBQ or beach trip.
Good For:
- If you’re looking for a classic crisp lager that isn’t too bland
Not Recommended For:
- It has a worty graininess that might be too malty for some
Where to Buy Athletic Lite?
Customers in the United States can find Athletic Lite on Proof No More, our favorite place for everything non-alcoholic-beverage-related.
Depending on how thirsty you are, you can purchase single cans, 4-packs, 6-packs, 12-packs, and 24-packs.
We personally enjoy getting our non-alcoholic drinks from Proof No More because they offer free delivery with a minimum spending, or a low shipping cost if our orders fall under the minimum amount.
They also wrap each beer can with bubble wrapping so they always arrive without any damage.
Other Athletic Lite FAQs
Is Athletic Lite Gluten-Free?
Athletic Lite contains wheat, therefore it is not gluten-free. But not to worry, we have all kinds of gluten-free non-alcoholic beer recommendations in our Ultimate Guide To Gluten-Free Non-Alcoholic Beer.
Is Athletic Lite Alcohol-Free?
Like all of Athletic Brewing’s products, Athletic Lite contains <0.5% ABV. This is about the same amount you’ll find in a ripe banana or a cup of yogurt, so it’s essentially negligible.
If you want to understand the difference between 0.0% ABV and 0.5% ABV, then check out our in-depth article.
Is Athletic Lite Vegan?
Athletic Lite is a vegan beer. It contains zero animal or animal by-products, so feel free to indulge if you’re following a plant-based diet.
Did you enjoy this Athletic Lite review? Then make sure to read our other Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic beer reviews:
A surprising delightful light beer that's way better than it has any right to be.