With Dry July around the corner, there are more – and better – beer options than ever for the more than 400,000 Australians who have expressed a desire to be more sober-curious in 2023.
The annual fundraising initiative, which challenges Australians to go alcohol-free for a whole month to raise money for people affected by cancer, dovetails neatly with increasing number of beer drinkers who are looking for healthier options.
There has been a huge spike in mid-strength, low or zero strength beers in recent years, and the Brewers Association of Australia says this country is now leading the world in the category, with more than 30 per cent of total beer sales.
Spearheaded by Millenials cutting back, alcohol consumption here is at its lowest level in more than 50 years, with Aussies aged 18-44 twice as likely to consume zero and low-strength alcohol compared with those over 45. And they are not done yet – the non-alcoholic beer market is expected to grow more than 9 per cent in the coming year.
And now drinkers have more choice then ever. Not only do the big players such as Carlton United Breweries (Carlton Zero) and Lion (XXXX Zero) have products in the category, but independent brewers including Big Drop and Heaps Normal have devoted their efforts to creating quality non-alc craft beer, embracing a wide range of styles from stouts to IPAs and sours and brown ale.
So after you’ve signed up at dryjuly.com, check out five of the best non-alc’s from Smart Craft Beer Club’s Ben Malouf to get you through in style.
Dainton New Age Non-alc XPA
Crafted with juicy fresh hops and a classic malt build. New Age XPA is a refreshing, full-flavoured drop minus the alcohol so you can keep the good times rolling. Good beer, no buzz. Contains lactose.
Holgate Love All Non-Alc Pale Ale
Love All serves you the flavours you love with a biscuity malt and fresh hop bouquet – but with less than 0.5% ABV. Many alcohol-free beers are sweet with low drinkability and bear little resemblance to the higher ABV cousins they are trying to emulate. Holgate have created a beautifully crafted version, offering a non-alcoholic beverage that is dry and refreshing with true beer flavours, great hop aroma and character worthy of a craft beer.
Dad & Dave’s Lazy Hazy Non-Alcoholic
Dad & Dave’s Lazy Hazy is the perfect Non-Alcoholic drink to enjoy by the beach, with all the fruity goodness of a traditional Hazy but without the dreaded hangover. It’s hard to say no to a Lazy Hazy.
Bridge Road Free Time Pale Ale
Bridge Road have used all their brewing know-how to craft this pale ale with everything you’ve come to expect from a Bridge Road product. Except the alcohol! With a vibrant, juicy hop aroma, low bitterness and a clean finish, you’ll be glad you found Free Time.
Sobah Pepperberry IPA
The distinctive hoppy, citrusy characteristics of pale ales are amplified in an India Pale Ale (IPA). This bold brew has an extra ‘hot and spicy’ kick from the infusion of the fruit of the Australian Native Pepperberry tree, a plant naturally occurring in the cold high country of Southern NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.
SPECIAL OFFERS
● Dry July Special: 72 cans of Dainton New Age Non-alc XPA for $72 + shipping
● Best bargain beer box: Local Brewing Victory Draught $39 + shipping case of 16 (RRP $82).
● Limited release mixed pack: 8 hard-to-find limited release craft beers in this smart value bundle, $69.95 + shipping.
● Always awesome mixed pack: 8 curated craft beers from the best of Australian breweries, $59 + shipping.
For the best craft beer deals visit smartcraftbeer.com.au
Originally published as With Aussie alcohol consumption trending down, here’s five non-alc beers to try for Dry July