The Best Non-Alcoholic Beers For A Cookout

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Not too long ago, if you were having a hiatus from booze and were invited to a cookout, you'd have to settle for a sparkling water or a soft drink while getting plenty of questions about why you're not drinking. Today, though, the non-alcoholic beer market is in the midst of a massive boom, driven by a shift in consumer attitudes, sober-curious drinkers, and the health-conscious consumer. Now, with so many NA beers on offer, which one should you go with at the backyard barbecue or grill-out?

The good news for any teetotaller is that the options for non-alcoholic beer have gone far beyond the flat, metallic cans of the past. The industry has brewed up a wide variety of beer styles, giving us robust malt profiles, bright hop aromas, and a frothy deliciousness that will have you craving more. While these brews pair well with a variety of everyday dishes, there are a few that go down particularly well with cookout dishes.

As a non-drinker that still loves a frosty beer, this was one challenge I had no problem throwing myself into. With a pair of grill tongs in one hand and a cold NA beer in the other, I set off to see which specific non-alcoholic beers would go down well with a variety of cookout dishes and snacks. As beer can often be subjective, I also paid close attention to what the people and beer experts had to say. Whether it's to pair with a smoky glaze, a perfectly seared steak, crispy chicken, or a shellfish spread, these NA beers are definitely worth considering.

Starting off with a brew crafted up by the Boston Beer Company, the Samuel Adams Golden is labeled as "clean, crisp & refreshing." I tend to agree. The first sip of this golden brew hits you with a touch of lemon zest, which is followed by a medium body and a surprisingly sweet aftertaste. The Samuel Adams Golden is a golden lager containing less than 0.5% ABV, which you'll mostly find coming as a 6-pack of 12-ounce cans.

If you plan on arriving at the next cookout to grill pork or chicken, this is a good beer to bring along. As it's not overly bitter, it won't overpower the grilled flavor, while the clean, sweet finish won't leave a sharp, lingering aftertaste. You could also enjoy it with a light seafood dish or with sushi. The sweet aftertaste will complement a shellfish dish quite nicely. Depending on how developed your NA beer taste buds are, you may notice that it has a slightly citrus nose.

As for what the people have to say, it's a firm favorite NA beer for many. Some love the great flavor and good body, while others find it's the perfect beer for a hot summer day. It's been called one of the best non-alcoholic beers out there, so it's definitely one to crack open at the next cookout. You'll find this NA beer available at major retailers.

Another NA beer you want to try when you next fire up the grill, especially if chili is involved, is widely known as a non-alcoholic favorite: the Run Wild IPA, a 0.5% IPA from Athletic Brewing Company. If you're a classic IPA fan, you won't be disappointed. On the nose, you can expect a pine and citrus aroma, while the finish is fine and crisp. It's been described as having a great balance between malt sweetness and a fruity flavor, giving the beer a decent depth. It's a great choice if you're throwing some red meat on the grill, but don't stop there.

The great thing about a session IPA like this is that the bitterness of the hops cuts through the taste of fats, making it a good choice for spicy cookout food. Think of chili cheese smoked sausages or a spicy hot Buffalo wings recipe. If you're serving up a starter of nachos with a bit of heat, it'll go down particularly well there, too.

The Run Wild IPA has built up some serious creds, winning enough awards to make even Michael Phelps jealous. Its stack of awards includes the gold winner of the US Open Beer Championship, gold winner of the European Beer Challenge, and winner of the best non-alcoholic beer in the U.S.A. at the World Beer Awards. Accolades aside, though, how does it taste to us mere mortals? You can buy the Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA directly from the brewery's website or from the likes of Amazon, Walmart, and more.

If you've been to Belgium, you'll understand what I mean when I say that the country has no shortage of beer. With over 1,500 different types of beers produced there, you'll find a brew for every palate. There's an NA beer inspired by the Belgian style called Blue Moon Non-Alcoholic Belgian White that's a worthy contender for this list. It's a wheat brew produced by Molson Coors Beverage Company, infused with a unique combination of Valencia orange peel and coriander.

Considering its European inspiration, it's one to bring along if you're grilling up sausages and serving up potatoes at your next cookout. If you're the type of host that can whip up a great sauerkraut recipe on the grill, this beer is a real winner. You're not limited to sausages, though, as this style of beer pairs up well with a variety of dishes. With its citrus aroma, it'll work well with either a seafood cookout or a marinated chicken dish off the grill. That said, if you're doing a good old-fashioned barbecue, as a wheat beer, it'll pair well with most grilled items.

The Blue Moon Non-Alcoholic Belgian White, available at Amazon, is known as a light and refreshing beer, thanks to the citrus taste that the Valencia orange peel brings out. On the nose, it's sweet but with a spicy edge, while visually it's cloudy and pale, typical of this type of Belgian beer. It's a much-loved beer inspired by the brewing style of a much-loved country, and one definitely worth a try. 

The next NA beer needs no introduction. You've seen it advertised at major sporting events around the world and on display in most retailers. It's the Heineken 0.0, an absolute staple for many when it comes to outdoor catering drinks without the buzz. Not to be left out of the NA trend, Heineken went in hard to position the beer as the cool choice for music festivals, events, and other major gatherings. What does Heineken 0.0 taste like, though, and what would you pair it with at a cookout?

A lot of beer drinkers claim that the NA version is pretty much the same as the original, without the hangover. It's not an overly bitter beer, which is great if you don't have a refined beer palate and just want something that's easy drinking. As for the cookout pairing, it's a good option to sip if you're cooking up juicy meats or biting into a grilled cheeseburger.

Another option doesn't involve actually drinking the beer, but rather using it for a beer-can chicken on the grill. Lagers are one of the best types of beer for a beer-can chicken, so grab a Heineken 0.0 can and a beer-can chicken roasting pan and give it a go. If done right, you'll end up with tender, juicy chicken made with one of America's favorite NA beers. If you're new to the NA beer game, it's probably a good starting point if you're not looking to veer too far off what you already know. You won't have a problem finding this beer in the U.S.

Another big beer brand to jump on the NA train was Guinness with the launch of a non-alcoholic stout. As an instantly recognizable beer with a fierce following, Guinness managed to successfully convert many who were believed to be unconvertible. The Guinness 0.0 is another NA beer that has been described as incredibly close to the original, becoming the United Kingdom's No. 1 non-alcoholic beer. Considering the beer-drinking nation that is the U.K., that's pretty impressive. A classic Irish stout goes well with a variety of grilled options, especially brisket. The Guinness 0.0 is no different. If you plan on adding a smoky and sweet Kansas-style sauce to your grill-out, make sure to have this NA on hand.

For a barbecue, the stout taste of the Guinness 0.0 is well suited to pair with fatty meats. Think grilled rump or sirloin steak with a nice piece of seared fat. If you're serving up mashed potatoes at your cookout, this will go really well with a Guinness 0.0 to bring out the roasted flavors of the beer.

What do the Irish say about the Guinness 0.0, though, considering that's where to go for the real deal? If we look at the numbers, the sales of Guinness 0.0 grew substantially in Ireland over the years following its release, with the NA being rolled out at pubs around the country. For the pour, an iconic part of the Guinness experience, for some Irish, it doesn't disappoint. You can buy the Guinness 0.0 throughout the U.S.

If you are looking for an easy-drinking, classic North American pilsner to take to your next cookout, the Labatt Blue 0 Non-Alc is one you'll want to add to the cooler. Labatt claims that this NA beer is brewed to mirror the exact taste profile of the original Labatt Blue. Does it, though? According to customer reviews, the claim isn't all that far-fetched. Some people have said that it tastes closer to the real thing than they expected, while others simply say it's the best NA beer, full stop.

According to some fans, it pairs really well with burgers and wings. So, if you're invited to a cookout and don't know what'll be going on the grill, this one is a pretty safe bet that pairs well with most grilled meats. There's a good chance one of those protein dishes will be in the mix. As a pilsner, it'll also go well with a fish cooked on the grill. You'll find that it'll complement a dish with pepper jack cheese, as the beer has a lot of pepperiness coming through on the palate.

If you want a straightforward, crowd-pleasing pilsner that complements everything from fatty steak to charred chicken, Labatt Blue 0 Non-Alc is a reliable choice for your next cookout. If you're looking to grab a few, there are a variety of online retailers and grocery stores to choose from. 

There's an NA IPA hailing from the U.K. that's fast growing in popularity as a non-alcoholic beer favorite. Big Drop Brewing Co. Paradiso Citra IPA is not only popular for drinkers looking to stay on the straight and narrow, but the industry has also taken notice, with the beer racking up several awards. Its accolades include top honors at the World Beer Awards, so it's one you might want to take seriously. 

This award-winning NA beer is infused with citrus fruit flavors and is great for cutting through strong, classic barbecue dishes. It's packed with bright Citra hops, giving it a punchy hop aroma and complex flavor. For the finish, you can expect a sharp bitterness, so it's probably not the right brew if you're new to the NA beer game. It's a solid option to pair with grilled dishes that come with bold barbecue flavors, though.

If you're planning a spicy cookout, the sharp and bitter finish of the IPA will take some of the bite out of it. Whether you are serving up juicy pulled pork, smoky ribs, or spicy grilled chicken, this NA beer will complement each one quite nicely. While some beer experts have given it top marks, consumers have called it light and refreshing, as well as an excellent sipper over the summer. While Big Drop Brewing Co. may be based in the U.K., you can find the NA IPA on Amazon.

Way before drinking non-alcoholic beers was even a concept many understood, let alone thinking it was cool, a brewery in Frankfurt, Germany, was doing the unthinkable. It was creating the very first non-alcoholic beer in the world. Going all the way back to the 1970s, Clausthaler set out to reshape the beer industry and began to dominate the German market a decade later. Part of the brewery's range is the Clausthaler Dry Hopped, an NA beer that was the first of its kind. Using U.S.-imported Cascade hops, it's an amber beer that will go down well at your next cookout.

It pairs well with spicy food, so make sure to pack a few in the cooler if you're planning on a spicy grilled chicken recipe. The citrus aftertaste will soften the spice, while other fans of the beer say it'll go down well with fish or pork. If you're planning to add Camembert or Fontina cheese to your outdoor spread, it's pretty good with those as well. Even if there isn't food involved, you'll want to keep some on hand if you're looking for an amber beer that's slightly hoppy.

Reviews by beer experts and general drinkers say that the cloudy beer doesn't have the classic lager taste but rather one that is sweet with a touch of citrus. Some tasters have noted that the beer has a slight tea flavor, with a strong maltiness coming through on the palate. Overall, it's a solid option if you're looking for an NA beer that is tried and tested over more than a decade.

The last but certainly not least NA beer to pair up with a cookout hails from Brooklyn Brewery. After 30 years of being based at N 11th Street, Brooklyn, the brewery recently moved to its new location further south on Wythe Avenue. Coming out of the brewery is the Non-Alcoholic Brooklyn Original, a hoppy and flavorful American amber lager that was previously branded Brooklyn Special Effects. Many have called it bold, toasty, and smooth. It's been known to pair well with savory and spicy dishes, so if you're planning to add something bold and fiery to a cookout, this NA beer will come in handy. 

If your cookout doesn't involve a grill, it'll also go well with a BLT sandwich or a spinach salad. This is because it's another NA beer that features a bit of citrus, with some tasters saying that they can pick up the flavor of rye bread. Overall, it's a light beer with a relatively mild finish, so it won't overpower whatever is coming off the grill. 

In terms of how it's brewed, Brooklyn Brewery uses Sabro, Saphir, and Cascade hops to bring out its unique and much-loved flavor. You'll find that it's included on several lists covering the best non-alcoholic beers in the U.S. and has won a few industry awards. As for customer reviews, these are mostly in favor of this hoppy NA beer. It's a favorite for some, being called the nicest non-alcoholic beer ever tried. It's not for everyone, though, with some saying it has an astringent finish. We'll leave it to you to decide for yourself.

I've been on the hunt for high-quality non-alcoholic beers that are as close to the real deal as possible for a year and a half. There are far more that tick this box than there were just a few years ago. With so many options available throughout the U.S. today, choosing the best NA beer to pair with a cookout was not a simple exercise. Instead of looking for those that would pair up well in general, I looked for specific NA beers that were suited to a specific style of cookout dish.

This involved going with my own tasting experience combined with what other people had to say. I also looked to beer specialists far more qualified than I am, those who know the subtle differences in what makes an average NA beer and what makes an exceptional one. Awards also played a part in which brews made it onto the list, but it wasn't always about the big awards — niche industry accolades were important as well.

This list of the best NA beers for a cookout was never meant to stack up the most popular NA beers on the market, so you will discover some that are harder to find than others, which I think is a good thing. Lastly, I tried to cover a selection of NA beers across a fairly wide range of hops and grains to give it a little bit of variety. The great news is that you can try every single one of these beers after reading this and still get up tomorrow with a zest for life.