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Looking for some recommendations for alcohol free/non alcoholic drinks that are different; for occasions when one would normally, if you could have alcohol, reach for a nice glass of red or a specialist beer for example. Versions of wine, beer, cider that you could savour and enjoy, or just non alcohol drinks as long as they are not full of sugar. Homemade ones if anyone has favourites.
Tried out some Eisberg alcohol free wine recently, and .... well its not to my taste. I've tasted better grape juices and cheaper. Indeed found Tesco's Giacobazzi sparkling grape juice drinks and they have much more flavour and could pass as a reasonable "wine" IMO !. No added sugar which is a bonus - I have a sweet tooth, but should keep the sugar down.
Also, found Kopparberg alcohol free ciders and they are very nice indeed; tried San Miguel non alcohol beer and this was acceptable.
Anyone care to share their favourites? If they are very specialist also where can you recommend to buy online reasonably; ie don't want to have to buy a case of say 12 bottles of alcohol free whatever if I have no idea if they are my taste unless you can buy a sampling mix.
Thanks.
Tried out some Eisberg alcohol free wine recently, and .... well its not to my taste. I've tasted better grape juices and cheaper. Indeed found Tesco's Giacobazzi sparkling grape juice drinks and they have much more flavour and could pass as a reasonable "wine" IMO !. No added sugar which is a bonus - I have a sweet tooth, but should keep the sugar down.
Also, found Kopparberg alcohol free ciders and they are very nice indeed; tried San Miguel non alcohol beer and this was acceptable.
Anyone care to share their favourites? If they are very specialist also where can you recommend to buy online reasonably; ie don't want to have to buy a case of say 12 bottles of alcohol free whatever if I have no idea if they are my taste unless you can buy a sampling mix.
Thanks.
In reply to Climbing Pieman:
I quite like Brew Dog's Nanny State. Very hoppy, and rather good as alcohol free beer goes. Erdinger also do a good alcohol free beer, it even pours with a head.
I quite like Brew Dog's Nanny State. Very hoppy, and rather good as alcohol free beer goes. Erdinger also do a good alcohol free beer, it even pours with a head.
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In reply to Climbing Pieman:
Becks alcohol free lager is the most realistic I've found and often on offer
Becks alcohol free lager is the most realistic I've found and often on offer
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In reply to Mike Peacock:
Funnily enough, my favourite two (that you can get here) as well.
The germans & austrians seem to be producing some pretty good low alcohol weizens.
Funnily enough, my favourite two (that you can get here) as well.
The germans & austrians seem to be producing some pretty good low alcohol weizens.
In reply to Mike Peacock:
^^ This. Nanny State is pretty damn good, as is the Erdinger Alkoholfrei.
You can't beat a nice cup of tea mind...
> I quite like Brew Dog's Nanny State. Very hoppy, and rather good as alcohol free beer goes. Erdinger also do a good alcohol free beer, it even pours with a head.
^^ This. Nanny State is pretty damn good, as is the Erdinger Alkoholfrei.
You can't beat a nice cup of tea mind...
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In reply to Climbing Pieman:
Another vote for Brew Dog's Nanny State. An acquired taste for me but I really like it now. Best low alcohol beer I have had.
Tesco stock it.
Another vote for Brew Dog's Nanny State. An acquired taste for me but I really like it now. Best low alcohol beer I have had.
Tesco stock it.
In reply to Climbing Pieman:
Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'll see if Brew Dog and Erdinger can be bought locally to try.
Quite intrigued by Nanny State, but may not be my taste. Other than its description, Nanny State, according to brewdog.com, has an interesting "Please note" at the end of its description - https://www.brewdog.com/lowdown/blog/brewdog-saves-the-world-nanny-state . It's different then!
BTW a nice cup of tea is great - I do have a range of specialist teas I enjoy - a particular peach one being my fav - but I'm meant to cut down on caffeine. Tea is ok in moderation but coffee is sadly almost on the banned list .
Further recommendations appreciated.
Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'll see if Brew Dog and Erdinger can be bought locally to try.
Quite intrigued by Nanny State, but may not be my taste. Other than its description, Nanny State, according to brewdog.com, has an interesting "Please note" at the end of its description - https://www.brewdog.com/lowdown/blog/brewdog-saves-the-world-nanny-state . It's different then!
BTW a nice cup of tea is great - I do have a range of specialist teas I enjoy - a particular peach one being my fav - but I'm meant to cut down on caffeine. Tea is ok in moderation but coffee is sadly almost on the banned list .
Further recommendations appreciated.
In reply to Climbing Pieman:
When pregnant I drank Becks Blue which, considering I usually prefer proper beer to lager, wasn't too bad at all. By far the winner, if a teeny bit of alcohol fits your bill, was the <1% cider sold in both Morrisons and Waitrose. Lovely stuff.
When pregnant I drank Becks Blue which, considering I usually prefer proper beer to lager, wasn't too bad at all. By far the winner, if a teeny bit of alcohol fits your bill, was the <1% cider sold in both Morrisons and Waitrose. Lovely stuff.
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In reply to Climbing Pieman:
. . . BTW a nice cup of tea is great - I do have a range of specialist teas I enjoy - a particular peach one being my fav - but I'm meant to cut down on caffeine. . .
. . . plenty of caffeine-free teas readily available - like Rooibos Earl Grey or Vanilla. Many others - Holland and Barrett have a wide selection (personally I like the caffeine, but Mrs B insists otherwise)
. . . BTW a nice cup of tea is great - I do have a range of specialist teas I enjoy - a particular peach one being my fav - but I'm meant to cut down on caffeine. . .
. . . plenty of caffeine-free teas readily available - like Rooibos Earl Grey or Vanilla. Many others - Holland and Barrett have a wide selection (personally I like the caffeine, but Mrs B insists otherwise)
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In reply to Sealwife:
San Pellegrino with loads of ice and a slice of lemon works for me when I want to grab a beer but I shouldn't. I don't know what's special about San Pellegrino, but I don't like any other fizzy water.
San Pellegrino with loads of ice and a slice of lemon works for me when I want to grab a beer but I shouldn't. I don't know what's special about San Pellegrino, but I don't like any other fizzy water.
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In reply to Climbing Pieman:
I love ginger beer and would drink it more often if it wasn't full of sugar.
Don't mind a tomato juice every once in a while with a bit of Tabasco either.
I love ginger beer and would drink it more often if it wasn't full of sugar.
Don't mind a tomato juice every once in a while with a bit of Tabasco either.
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In reply to Climbing Pieman:
I echo the Erdinger Alkoholfrei. Actually tastes like beer. Now a staple in my beer stash. Becks Blue is okay. I refuse to drink anything those hipster wanks brewdog put out so I can't comment on nanny state.
Cobra Zero is probably the worst of the lot beer wise.
Kopparberg's alcohol free cider is a refreshing delight.
I echo the Erdinger Alkoholfrei. Actually tastes like beer. Now a staple in my beer stash. Becks Blue is okay. I refuse to drink anything those hipster wanks brewdog put out so I can't comment on nanny state.
Cobra Zero is probably the worst of the lot beer wise.
Kopparberg's alcohol free cider is a refreshing delight.
In reply to Climbing Pieman:
Try Schloer grape juice White Pink or Red each is fizzy lovely after been it has been kept in the frige on a hot day Taste of wine without the effect.
Try Schloer grape juice White Pink or Red each is fizzy lovely after been it has been kept in the frige on a hot day Taste of wine without the effect.
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Thanks to all for the suggestions, most I was not aware off. Appreciated.
Gives me a lot more options to try out.
In reply to Climbing Pieman:
Home made lemon ginger: grate or chop some ginger, add lemon and lemon zest in a cup of hot water (+ maybe 1 - 3 tsp sugar to taste) Get ice cubes in a big pitcher, pour the hot cup on it and fill with cold water.
Same goes for lemongrass + ginger, but its necessary to boil those for a while in a pan.
of course, you could substitute the sugar with your favourite honey.
Home made lemon ginger: grate or chop some ginger, add lemon and lemon zest in a cup of hot water (+ maybe 1 - 3 tsp sugar to taste) Get ice cubes in a big pitcher, pour the hot cup on it and fill with cold water.
Same goes for lemongrass + ginger, but its necessary to boil those for a while in a pan.
of course, you could substitute the sugar with your favourite honey.
In reply to nathan79:
I've just polished off a few nanny states after seeing this thread.
Very tasty.
I've just polished off a few nanny states after seeing this thread.
Very tasty.
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In reply to Climbing Pieman:
Nanny State is good but I think it's quite over-priced compared to Erdinger.
I do quite like the alcohol free Czech Pilsner that Sainsbury's sell - it manages to taste vaguely like a real continental lager and isn't nearly as gassy as Erdinger, which I can find to be a bit bloating.
Nanny State is good but I think it's quite over-priced compared to Erdinger.
I do quite like the alcohol free Czech Pilsner that Sainsbury's sell - it manages to taste vaguely like a real continental lager and isn't nearly as gassy as Erdinger, which I can find to be a bit bloating.
In reply to Climbing Pieman:
Here in Nürnberg, it is widely agreed that the alcohol-free Hefeweizen from Lammsbräu (Neumarkt) is about as good as alcohol-free beer ever gets. Probably don't get it across the channel, though.
Here in Nürnberg, it is widely agreed that the alcohol-free Hefeweizen from Lammsbräu (Neumarkt) is about as good as alcohol-free beer ever gets. Probably don't get it across the channel, though.
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In reply to Climbing Pieman:
Soda water and a splash of Angostura bitters... negligible alchohol and calories. Nice and refreshing chilled summer drink, like Pims but without the calorie, units and class guilt.
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Soda water and a splash of Angostura bitters... negligible alchohol and calories. Nice and refreshing chilled summer drink, like Pims but without the calorie, units and class guilt.
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Post edited at 13:46
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In reply to Climbing Pieman:
My partner was off the drink for a month. She struggled to find a non-alcoholic drink that wasn't ultra sweet. Settled on grapefruit juice and soda water.
My partner was off the drink for a month. She struggled to find a non-alcoholic drink that wasn't ultra sweet. Settled on grapefruit juice and soda water.
In reply to Climbing Pieman:
Birell polotmavý (half dark) is the best non-alcoholic beer I've ever had. Worth seeking out of you're ever in Czech Republic and need to be sober.
Birell polotmavý (half dark) is the best non-alcoholic beer I've ever had. Worth seeking out of you're ever in Czech Republic and need to be sober.
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Cheers everyone for all the suggestions.
In reply to Climbing Pieman:
Wheat beers tend to be better than lagers, but the choice is getting better. Steer clear of mainstream brands like Becks and especially Bitburger drive, which is dreadful. I did several years alcohol-free and would recommend Schneiderweiße and Jupiler (technically 0.5% abv) respectively after intensive testing!
Erdinger Alkoholfrei (blue labels) is very good too, and is promoted as an isotonic drink in Germany. They're starting to market it more intensively in the UK too now. This supplier is quite good, though not that cheap. They'll do sampler cases too http://www.alcoholfree.co.uk/?osCsid=58e6dfac260133ac8a052f2a1aad9d70
Wheat beers tend to be better than lagers, but the choice is getting better. Steer clear of mainstream brands like Becks and especially Bitburger drive, which is dreadful. I did several years alcohol-free and would recommend Schneiderweiße and Jupiler (technically 0.5% abv) respectively after intensive testing!
Erdinger Alkoholfrei (blue labels) is very good too, and is promoted as an isotonic drink in Germany. They're starting to market it more intensively in the UK too now. This supplier is quite good, though not that cheap. They'll do sampler cases too http://www.alcoholfree.co.uk/?osCsid=58e6dfac260133ac8a052f2a1aad9d70
In reply to Climbing Pieman:
The Erdinger alcohol free wheat beer is my favourite, I think. And there is a Bavaria wheat beer that's almost as good and much cheaper. Bittburger drive is good as well. Personally I'm not as keen on Becks Blue but it's ok if there's nothing else going.
The Erdinger alcohol free wheat beer is my favourite, I think. And there is a Bavaria wheat beer that's almost as good and much cheaper. Bittburger drive is good as well. Personally I'm not as keen on Becks Blue but it's ok if there's nothing else going.
In reply to Climbing Pieman:
Kandimalz / Karamalz / Supermalt - essentially horlicks-flavoured coke, but not so sugary. The first two are German, but the supermalt is available in the UK apparently.
Kandimalz / Karamalz / Supermalt - essentially horlicks-flavoured coke, but not so sugary. The first two are German, but the supermalt is available in the UK apparently.
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In reply to Climbing Pieman:
Surprised nobody has mentioned Bavaria Non Alcoholic Beer. By far my favourite though Becks Blue is ok and is more widely available when designated driver out in Wetherspoons et al.
Bavaria can be bought in bottles or cans from Sainsburys and Morrisons, and is 0% unlike some others. Ice cold from the fridge you would swear it was 'real' beer. There was a feature on it on Channel 4 Food Unwrapped that showed how it was made, I believe different to the others such as Becks where they boil the alcohol off which effects the taste. Plus no chemicals or nasties in it too - what's not to like.....well maybe the lack of alcohol....
Here is description lifted from a website:>>>>
"Bavaria Premium Malt non-alcoholic beer - 100% of the taste, 0% of the alcohol.
Why Bavaria Premium Malt? Most alcohol-free beers still contain up to 0.5% alcohol-by-volume, but Bavaria is different. It's specially brewed to contain no alcohol and is a genuine 0.00% beer.
Ingredients? Only the purest mineral water, barley malt, wheat, and hops.
Calories? Only 25 Kcal per 100ml. You can drink Bavaria non-alcoholic beer without worrying about growing a beer belly.
Sugar and spice, or all things nice? 5.8g of carbohydrates (of which sugars 3.1g), 0.2g protein, 0.002g of sodium, and 0g fat per 100ml."
Surprised nobody has mentioned Bavaria Non Alcoholic Beer. By far my favourite though Becks Blue is ok and is more widely available when designated driver out in Wetherspoons et al.
Bavaria can be bought in bottles or cans from Sainsburys and Morrisons, and is 0% unlike some others. Ice cold from the fridge you would swear it was 'real' beer. There was a feature on it on Channel 4 Food Unwrapped that showed how it was made, I believe different to the others such as Becks where they boil the alcohol off which effects the taste. Plus no chemicals or nasties in it too - what's not to like.....well maybe the lack of alcohol....
Here is description lifted from a website:>>>>
"Bavaria Premium Malt non-alcoholic beer - 100% of the taste, 0% of the alcohol.
Why Bavaria Premium Malt? Most alcohol-free beers still contain up to 0.5% alcohol-by-volume, but Bavaria is different. It's specially brewed to contain no alcohol and is a genuine 0.00% beer.
Ingredients? Only the purest mineral water, barley malt, wheat, and hops.
Calories? Only 25 Kcal per 100ml. You can drink Bavaria non-alcoholic beer without worrying about growing a beer belly.
Sugar and spice, or all things nice? 5.8g of carbohydrates (of which sugars 3.1g), 0.2g protein, 0.002g of sodium, and 0g fat per 100ml."
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In reply to Climbing Pieman:
Bear in mind Nanny State was originally launched in response to criticism for their previous launch of something RIDICULOUSLY strong (clashing with the launch of an alcohol harm-reduction campaign here in Scotland). Brilliant publicists, as always! So there is some daft stuff written on the bottle.
+ 1 for it as an AFB tho, also Erdinger ("vitamin health drink"), and Becks which is very obtainble and cheapish. Clausthaler AFB is ok. Even Kaliber isn't as awful as it once was...
+1 also for tea, I often start alternating tea and booze late on when a bit hammered, makes life easier next morning.
Other lovely thibg to drink is Sweetheart Stout, like Guinness with sugar, 2% alc though so not AFB, however, it could cut yr alc intake quite a bit. And it's LOVELY! Cheap, and ubiquitous (in Scotland).
Slainthe!
Bear in mind Nanny State was originally launched in response to criticism for their previous launch of something RIDICULOUSLY strong (clashing with the launch of an alcohol harm-reduction campaign here in Scotland). Brilliant publicists, as always! So there is some daft stuff written on the bottle.
+ 1 for it as an AFB tho, also Erdinger ("vitamin health drink"), and Becks which is very obtainble and cheapish. Clausthaler AFB is ok. Even Kaliber isn't as awful as it once was...
+1 also for tea, I often start alternating tea and booze late on when a bit hammered, makes life easier next morning.
Other lovely thibg to drink is Sweetheart Stout, like Guinness with sugar, 2% alc though so not AFB, however, it could cut yr alc intake quite a bit. And it's LOVELY! Cheap, and ubiquitous (in Scotland).
Slainthe!
In reply to Climbing Pieman:
I agree with the Schloer option, but the sugar free version. Has a freshness and is pretty palatable. The Erdinger is good, and I'm now also tempted by the Brewdog Nanny state.
I agree with the Schloer option, but the sugar free version. Has a freshness and is pretty palatable. The Erdinger is good, and I'm now also tempted by the Brewdog Nanny state.
In reply to Jamie Wakeham:
Currently £1 a bottle in tesco.
> Nanny State is good but I think it's quite over-priced compared to Erdinger.
Currently £1 a bottle in tesco.
In reply to Climbing Pieman:
As a 6-year tee-totaler, I've tried many NA/LA beers. Fully agree that Erdinger is the best, most readily available NA beer. The Bavaria wit-bier is also bloody good; similar(ish) to white beer, although slightly fruitier and very refreshing in summer. Both of these available in Tesco/Sainsburys.
Becks blue is truly awful by comparison. Clausthaler is OK, Bitburger Drive not quite as bad as Becks Blue.
When I visit Germany the very best NA beer I've ever had is Franziskaner alkoholfrei - an amazing NA beer. Available in the UK from specialist websites/distributors.
Enjoy
As a 6-year tee-totaler, I've tried many NA/LA beers. Fully agree that Erdinger is the best, most readily available NA beer. The Bavaria wit-bier is also bloody good; similar(ish) to white beer, although slightly fruitier and very refreshing in summer. Both of these available in Tesco/Sainsburys.
Becks blue is truly awful by comparison. Clausthaler is OK, Bitburger Drive not quite as bad as Becks Blue.
When I visit Germany the very best NA beer I've ever had is Franziskaner alkoholfrei - an amazing NA beer. Available in the UK from specialist websites/distributors.
Enjoy
Lots of suggestions to get started on; must be a few of those suggestions to suit, certainly quite a few appeal .
Appreciate all the replies. Thanks again.
Appreciate all the replies. Thanks again.
In reply to Climbing Pieman:
During pregnancy I tried loads of alcohol free beers. The best were Paulaner Hefeweizen alcohol free ( but I don't think it's available here) and Becks alcohol free. Fürstenberg Frei is also quite good.
During pregnancy I tried loads of alcohol free beers. The best were Paulaner Hefeweizen alcohol free ( but I don't think it's available here) and Becks alcohol free. Fürstenberg Frei is also quite good.
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