I’ve been asked by quite a few folks what my Top 5 or 10 non-alcoholic beers have been so far and since I’m all about listening to the people and spreading the good word about good beer, I figured I should take a little time each month and let you know what tickled my fancy in the previous 30(ish) days.
Up first we’ll take a look back at the end of 2024 coupled together with January of 2025 so as not to miss some real good things that I poured into my glass prior to deciding I needed to do this little monthly list of pints that excite Ol’ Polk. No need to exclude when it’s always better to be inclusive…ya know what I mean boo-boo…
Digging back into my yearly list of my top ten beers (yes, I am working on The Ten for 2024, I know it’s late, but life is kinda fuzzy right now) I’ll stick to a few rules for myself while I compile The Five (Plus) each month.
A) Only one beer from each brewery. If I really dig more than one, I’ll let ya know in the post, but only one gets on the list.
B) No repeats month to month. Gotta keep trying new stuff and seeking out the shiny gems…along with the gritty pebbles…
C) It’s all in good fun, drink what ya like.
D) I’ll include 3 to avoid, I have no doubt that will be both easier and more popular than a must buy list.
E) There will be at least 5 and up to 10 on the list, it all depends on what makes me happy and excited.
And now, onward we go…in chronological order for convenience sake.
1) Guinness Non-Alcoholic Draught
This is an easy addition, the closest thing to the real thing I’ve found and it kicked off the whole reboot of Pints with Polk back in December. Velvety smooth, roasty and with that signature creamy tan head. Fantastic. Available pretty much everywhere, if you’re looking for something to begin your sober journey or to as a replacement on days you don’t want to imbibe or cannot, this is where to begin.
Video Review on Pints with Polk : https://youtu.be/F-X7tSP2xFg?si=d2Xud1s06xgg0OOm
2) Nickel Brook Brewing Wicked Tame Non-Alcoholic Hazy IPA
A pre-Christmas treat, this brewery only available Hazer is pretty damn close to the real thing, emulating it’s big brother Wicked Awesome and delivering an excellent option for the dry months or a changing lifestyle. It’s got lots of peach, lemon and pineapple with a full bodied feel. Excellent.
Video Review on Pints with Polk : https://youtu.be/kzjS6O6cWnA?si=aBpccG9NSo2oK6Bn
3) Heineken 0.0% Non-Alcoholic Lager
It’s a Euro Lager, does the job quite well and actually inspired a 6 pack refill so I could have a bottle or two as I made a mid week dinner or caught a Leafs game on the TV. It feels and tastes like regular Heineken and if that’s your jam, then this will fill your spot well. Available everywhere.
Video Review on Pints with Polk : https://youtu.be/yBT8r9dlCYM?si=toFDgqvnyRWzjqnn
4) Bellwoods Brewery Stay Classy Non-Alcoholic IPA
I’ve been a Bellwoods fanboy for more than a decade and this easy going non alc IPA is another example of why I hold them at such high esteem. Orange and lemon pith, white spruce and a smooth hazy body make for a great experience. It is a regular in my fridge, an easy shelf filler with an eye to the summer when it will even taste better in the sunshine! Get it at the brewery, for delivery (Bellwoods) or from Designated Drinks
Video Review on Pints with Polk : https://youtu.be/gV9hoX37lfY?si=nVUDdYRy6XUGbl7n
5) Burdock Brewing Swoon Non-Alcoholic Stout
This was a helluva good pick up from Designated Drinks (order here : Designated Drinks) and really showcases Burdock at their low test best. Creamy, rich and roasty with notes of smokey malt, licorice and bitter coffee, it feels like the real thing from first sip to last.
Video Review on Pints with Polk : https://youtu.be/w4tHmNaPhZA?si=rnmYyewvKW-IkfMI
6) Big Spruce Brewing Kitchen Partly Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale
Video Review on Pints with Polk : https://youtu.be/RuuSjyGHBwQ?si=kkli03aY9GS9j2VR
7) One for the Road Brewing Proceed with Caution Non-Alcoholic Amber Ale
Video Review on Pints with Polk : https://youtu.be/8KfXufZRIVY?si=80w5LMxc1AxJBcSq
8) Harmon’s Craft Brewing Jack Pine Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale
I am a West Coast leaning guy when it comes to my IPAs and Pale Ales and while most of what I’ve encountered so far in those categories lean much fruitier and hazy, Harmon’s (Order there or at Designated Drinks found my sweet spot of bitter and pithy with this one. lots of orange and pine, solid body and a feeling like I could get used to this one pouring every day after work. Everything I’ve had from Harmon’s has been good, this was outstanding.
Video Review on Pints with Polk : https://youtu.be/wSPDgFxvcFk?si=CdxAp_FkVFH6TPaf
9) Metro Irresistibles Non-Alcoholic West Coast IPA
This has no business being as good as it is…but here we are. Grocery chain Metro’s house brand, Irresistibles West Coast IPA is a nice representation of the style in a non alc way, and cheap AF at only $9.95 for a six pack. Notes of orange and grapefruit pith and a spciy pine finish inside a toasty malt body get me where I live, simple and unadorned refreshment. Available at Metro and affiliated stores.
Video Review on Pints with Polk : https://youtu.be/qg7F_VbYlQ0?si=WI5dbg4otBDozOJK
10) Wellington Brewery Much Non-Alcoholic IPA
When Welly does something, they do it right. Mucho gives a solid citrus pith bite with lemon, peach and tangerine in a smooth and full body. It went down quick, felt like I was enjoying a regular strength Wellington IPA, a piece of praise when it comes to non alc beers. looking forward to what they can crank out next. Pick it up at Wellington or at Designated Drinks for delivery.
Video Review on Pints with Polk : https://youtu.be/A2bXVf1no8A?si=aHNKagtV8u4L6KQ7
And now, The Disappointments
1) Clausthauler Original Non-Alcoholic German Lager
Just don’t. Skunky, super sweet and feels unfinshed with a lingering wort flavour. Hard pass.
Video Review on Pints with Polk : https://youtu.be/tuoy8r4TfFs?si=UmeHtJD7cUEnTMF8
2) Brasserie Les 2 Freres Hickson Sans Alcool (Non-Alcoholic) IPA
Why does this taste like wet cigarettes? Do you need to know more…
Video Review on Pints with Polk : https://youtu.be/Hn55kpSPzQU?si=qI3INnwPGYw5DSko
3) Burdock Brewery Swishh Non-Alcoholic IPA
This one isn’t terrible, but it’s more like a dry hopped lager masquerading as an IPA and even in the non alc world, that will irritate me. Also, I know I said only one per brewery on each months list, but I’ll break that rule if I’m annoyed…
Video Review on Pints with Polk : https://youtu.be/AxAZ8ljDVxc?si=VptFhe0YfMXEaIHY
There you go, the first Ten of 2025, Non Alc version 1.0. I hope it finds you well and ready to try something new.
I’ll keep drinking them, reporting back and hopefully helping people struggling to find non-alcoholic options. I’ll tell you this, I’ve had far more messages and emails from folks who’ve had to give up or cut way back on the booze than you would imagine. I want you to know that you are not alone and there continues to be better options available all the time.
Stay tuned, my friends.
Polk
February 8th, 2025
