Trying to Drink Less? 6 Non-Alcoholic Beers You Need on Your Radar
These are the best non-alcoholic beers in Canada, which taste arguably better than the real thing.
Best non-alcoholic beer Canada
Since the start of the pandemic, alcohol sales have skyrocketed. A recent StatsCan survey conducted in January 2021 found that nearly a quarter of Canadians who drank alcohol before the pandemic increased their use. According to Emily Jenkins, an associate professor of nursing at the University of British Columbia, who studied the connection between mental health and substance use during the pandemic with the Canadian Mental Health Association, we’re looking at about a 20 percent increase.
Jenkins points to the pandemic’s “unprecedented stressors” as the driving force behind increased rates of drinking. “People are stressed about job security, changing economic situations, relationship changes and challenges,” she says. “Then there’s the feelings of isolation, shifting changes on what we can and can’t do and then boredom as well.”
This increased alcohol consumption can exacerbate existing mental health challenges like anxiety and depression, says Jenkins. “Alcohol has depressant properties in our body, which means that it slows down activity in the brain and alters the chemical composition of the brain,” she says. “This impacts people’s mood, things like energy and sleep patterns that are really important to our mental health, concentration and memory.” Jenkins is most concerned about an increase in risky behaviour, aggression and self-harm that comes along with increased drinking. “Alcohol consumption can disinhibit behaviour—it puts people at greater risk for these kinds of actions.”
If you want to cut down on your alcohol consumption, here are some of the best non-alcoholic beers available in Canada.
(Related: Trying to Drink Less? These Tasty Summer Mocktails Make it Easy)
So.Beer Refresh
With notes of malted barley and a clean finish, The Naked Collective’s non-alcoholic drink also includes Beta Glucan which supports our immune health.
thenakedcollective.com, $30/12 pk
(Related: This Homemade Ginger Beer Is What You’ll Be Drinking All Summer Long)
Surprise Berliner alcohol-free
From Quebec microbrewery Le Bockale, this is an alcohol-free spin on their classic berliner weisse — a bright beer with a light lemony flavour.
lebockale.com, $45/12 pk
(Related: The Best Nutritionist-Approved Electrolyte Drinks in Canada)
Partake Pale
This award-winning brew uses fruity and floral hops and bright flavours like citrus and pine to create a deliciously dry and crisp alcohol-free beer.
drinkpartake.com, $55/24 pk
(Related: CBD Drinks Are Everywhere — Will They Help Me Relax?)
BSA Non-Alcoholic Beer Raspberry Sour
From Montreal-based Bière Sans Alcool, this pick is a raspberry sour that’ll satisfy even the pickiest sour beer lover.
well.ca, $4
Sober Carpenter Belgian White
This flavourful Belgian-style beer is rich and hazy. Sober Carpenter suggests pairing the brew with seafood or salads to bring out the drink’s orange and coriander flavours.
sobercarpenter.ca, $35/12 pk
(Related: Why You May Want to Start Drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea This Year)
Libra Hazy IPA
From Charlottetown, PEI, this 0.4 percent alcohol IPA has delicious flavours like mango and tropical fruits.
drinklibra.ca, $33/12 pk
Next, meet Acid League, the Canadian company making complex, alcohol-free wine proxies.
