The demand for nonalcoholic beer is on the rise. However, the focus on the “low-to-no” alcohol movement often overlooks the “low” aspect. Beers with alcohol content ranging from 2% to 5% ABV, categorically known as the “low” alcohol range, contribute to less than half of the growth in the “low-to-no” segment of the U.S. beer market.
Moderation is typically associated with the notion that individuals can reduce the number of alcoholic drinks to control their consumption. Yet, with mainstream and craft beers averaging around 5% ABV or lower, there is a growing market for low-alcohol alternatives that satisfy the craving for beer. Low-alcohol beers can still deliver flavor and excitement akin to nonalcoholic options and high-alcohol imperial brews that can reach double-digit ABV levels.
As millennial and Gen-Z drinkers show a willingness to pay a premium for nonalcoholic choices, breweries are venturing into this middle ground. Craft breweries across the country are offering a variety of examples in the 3% to 4% ABV range. Notable brands like Deft Brewing in San Diego, Jester King Brewery in Austin, and TRVE Brewing in Denver are producing excellent options within this range. Additionally, widely available low-ABV beers such as Pabst Blue Ribbon (4.7% ABV), Montucky Cold Snacks (4.1% ABV), and Bell’s Light Hearted (4% ABV) are becoming more commonplace in grocery stores and beer shops.
Amidst the growing interest in consuming less alcohol, low-ABV beers present another choice for consumers practicing moderation. From session IPAs to grisettes, here are 10 low-ABV selections favored by beer enthusiasts.
Related: Discover the Evolution of Pilsner, the Original Pale Lager
Alvarado Street Brewery: Little Lager (3.2% ABV)
Kyle Roderick, chief product officer at Untappd in Hollister, California, praises Alvarado Street’s Little Lager as a refreshing option with hyper-carbonation and citrusy herbaceous bitterness reminiscent of a West Coast Pils. The use of quality ingredients from Admiral Maltings gives this leichtbier enough body to stand out, making it a more elevated choice compared to typical light American beers.
Side Project Brewery: Grisette (4% ABV)
Alex Brosseau, tasting room manager at Side Project Brewery in Maplewood, Missouri, labels Side Project’s Grisette as the “true champagne of beers.” This Belgian-style brew, similar to a saison, boasts a 3% to 4% ABV range, lower than the typical saison. Aged in wooden barrels, this Grisette offers depth and complexity alongside its citrusy profile, making it a bubbly and refreshing choice to unwind with.
Notch Brewing: Pils
Bryan Doran, the former head brewer at Cambridge Brewing Company in Massachusetts, has a preference for Czech pilsners due to their slightly more biscuity maltiness. His go-to beer after work is Notch Pils, a well-crafted Czech-style pilsner that is light, flavorful, and easy to drink. Pilsners are ideal for pairing with seafood, a specialty of New England. On the other hand, Guinness, an Irish Dry Stout, is a great example that dark beers do not necessarily have higher alcohol content. Clare Thomas Allen, a beer influencer, enjoys Guinness for its light and creamy mouthfeel packed with flavor. Lionshead Deluxe Pilsner by Lion Brewery is a popular choice for Stephen Kelly, a cider maker, as a post-pressing beverage. It is praised for its affordability and flavor. Miller High Life by Molson Coors is favored by Mat Sandoval, a brewer in Oregon, for its ease, affordability, and consistency. Hamm’s, originally from Minnesota, holds nostalgic value for Amanda “AJ” Tussing, a beer professional in San Diego. Postcard Pils by Green Bench Brewing is the perfect low-ABV choice for Joanne Mumbey, a beertender in Florida, especially after a long and hot shift. Its crisp finish, floral hops, and sweet grainy malt make it a refreshing option.
Whether you savor it slowly, sip it leisurely, or simply enjoy it casually, there’s something undeniably delightful about treating yourself to a refreshing beer after a long shift. Take, for example, Gretel by Side Project Brewery, boasting a tantalizing ABV of 5.3%. Tabitha Smith, the tasting room manager at The Side Project Cellar in Maplewood, Missouri, attests to the sheer satisfaction of indulging in a slow-poured glass of Side Project Gretel after a bustling day behind the bar.
The meticulous slow pour results in a luscious layer of foam atop the glass, a traditional method meant to enhance the experience of this Munich Dunkel, a splendid German-style beer. “It hits all the right notes,” Tabitha explains. “Malty and chocolatey, yet light-bodied with a stunning frothy head that beckons you to savor each sip.”
Moving on to K58 by Kilowatt Brewing, with a respectable ABV of 5.5%, we hear from Esthela Davila, the esteemed president of the San Diego Brewers Guild. Describing it as an “easy drinker, nice and crisp,” Esthela recommends this brew as the perfect way to unwind and relax after a busy shift. This Mexican lager stays true to tradition by incorporating corn in the malt bill, using Vienna malt and flaked corn to capture the classic flavor profile.
Having grown up with a fondness for Mexican lagers, Esthela finds K58 to be a fitting choice, one that invites you to enjoy it all day long if you so desire. So, whether you prefer the rich complexities of a Munich Dunkel or the crisp simplicity of a Mexican lager, there’s a beer out there waiting to reward you for all your hard work. Cheers to that!
