Moderating your drinking can feel like trying to dance your jigs and reels at your first buchailí agus caiIíní ceile—tricky, a little bit terrifying, and weirdly embarrassing. That said many of us are genuinely doing it. According to Drinks Industry Ireland, sales of non-alcoholic beer grew last year by 18%, and production surged by 50% all because we’re opting-in to drinking a little bit less.
Unlike de-alcoholised wines and so-called ‘non-alcoholic spirits’, zero beers replicate much of the flavour and aroma of the real thing. Brewers can take their pick from cold filtration or heat pasteurisation to remove the yeasts and bacteria that produce alcohol. Small brewers have been experimenting with lazy yeasts that don’t fully ferment the brew, and dry-hopping to create no and low-alcohol beers with extra oomph and flavour. In fact, some of them are downright delicious.
So, if you’re looking to keep the craic alive without sacrificing the next morning to session, here are five non-alcoholic beers that are well worth a try.
Lucky Saint (330ml)
ABV: 0.5% | Available at The Shelbourne
Lucky Saint—the beer that’s nearly saintly enough to be blessed by the Pope himself. Low-alcohol lager is particularly difficult to do right, but these lads have done it better than any other option on the market. At least in my opinion.
This Bavarian beauty is slightly cloudy thanks to its unfiltered nature, and it’s just as golden as the fields of barley that birthed it. With a foamy head and a lagery tang, this one’s perfect for when you want a beer that tastes like, well, a beer.
Pair it with salty chips, or get fancy and sip it alongside a key lime pie if ya want. Just give it a go if you see it on the menu; it’s worth a punt. Their new IPA has just landed too and is perfect for anyone who is a fan of Citra and Mosaic hops.
Chouffe Alcohol-Free
ABV: 0.4% | Available at Kodiak, Caribou, Bonobo
Belgium, the land of waffles, chocolate, and monks who know their beer. Usually, those brews pack a punch that could floor a rugby team, but La Chouffe Alcohol-Free is a kinder, gentler gnome of a beer.
The zero-alcohol version of the beloved La Chouffe Blonde might lack the boozy wallop, but it makes up for it with continental sophistication. It’s a bit like drinking a baguette—bready, vegetal, and perfect for pairing with a platter of European sausages. You may even find yourself preferring this one over its 8% sibling. It just might be the Gnomeo to your Julliette.
Mikkeller Drink’in the Sun Wheat Ale
ABV: 0.4% | Available at The Black Sheep, Beer Temple, Bar Rua, Brew Dock
If the Danes know one thing, it’s how to brew beer that feels like a last gulp of the summer sun in a glass. Mikkeller’s Drink’in the Sun Wheat Ale is the non-alcoholic beer for those who don’t believe in half-measures.
This one bursts with bright citrus and nutty wheat, balanced by creamy barley notes. It’s as fresh as you feel after a summer holiday in the Mediterranean—without the sunburn. Grab a can (or bottle) and let the sunshine in, regardless of what the Irish weather has in store.
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Guinness Draught 0.0 Stout
ABV: 0.0% | Available at Toners, Devitt’s, The Merry Cobbler & Many More
Guinness Draught 0.0 is as dark and brooding as a Connemara storm, but without the ABV to knock you over. Brewed in Dublin, this zero-alcohol version is all about that rich, roasted flavour—think toasted barley, dark coffee, and a hint of nuttiness.
It’s not the strongest stout in the world, but when you’re looking for something that says “I’m serious, but I’m sober,” this is your go-to. Perfect for when you want to keep your wits about you while still feeling like you’re sipping something substantial. Check out this map for every bar in Dublin slinging a Guinney Zero.
Fierce Mild Pale Ale
ABV: 0.5% | Available in Fidelity, The Big Romance
Here’s a curveball for you—Fierce Mild, a pale ale that’s local, fresh and alcohol free. Crafted with a special yeast and a trio of hops, this brew is the lovechild of traditional beer-making and innovative wizardry. It’s an ale for the summer session that never has to end, designed for those who are as curious about beer ‘as they are about life’ according to the website.
Fierce Mild’s brewer knows his stuff, having honed his craft in the Australian beer scene before bringing his expertise back to Ireland. The result? A non-alcoholic beer that doesn’t just mimic the real thing—it creates something entirely new. So if you’re looking for a bit of boldness without the buzz, this one’s for you. Pairs particularly well with Chicken Wings too!
Whether you’re cutting back, going full teetotal, or just curious, these five beers prove that you can still enjoy a proper pint without the regret that often follows. So go on, give them a go. Sláinte!
Words: Shamim De Brún
