What we’re drinking: Free Wave
ABV: N/A (>0.5%)
Who Brews It: Athletic Brewing Co.
Where you can find it: Grocery and liquor stores
Expected Price: $11.99 for a six pack of cans
It’s December, which means that you likely have a slew of holiday parties and New Year celebrations on your calendar. Many of these celebrations involve alcohol. While there’s nothing wrong with having a drink – this is a column dedicated to reviewing beer after all – non-alcoholic drinks can be a healthy and interesting alternative. So, if you’re looking to cut down on alcohol for your New Year’s resolution, or if you’re the designated driver for a holiday function, non-alcoholic beer is a great choice. We’ll be reviewing a non-alcoholic beer this time, Free Wave by Athletic Brewing Co.
A non-alcoholic beer must be under 0.5% ABV to be classified as non-alcoholic in America. This means that, technically, non-alcoholic beers do contain alcohol; however, the amount of alcohol is negligible. You consume alcohol any time you eat a fermented food or drink, so if you’re a fan of kombucha, kimchi, soy sauce, and even bread, you’re consuming the same amount of alcohol that is found in a non-alcoholic beer. It’s largely impossible to completely avoid all traces of alcohol, so don’t feel like you’re being misled when you read the “contains less than 0.5% alcohol” label on a non-alcoholic beverage.
So, what does a non-alcoholic beer taste like? Truthfully, it’s very similar to a standard beer, though there are some noticeable differences. As a general rule, non-alcoholic beer tastes sweeter than alcoholic beer due to differences in yeast fermentation. They also have a much lighter body and a less dense mouthfeel. If you’re trying an IPA or a hoppier non-alcoholic beer, you’ll find that the lack of alcohol also impacts the hops. During fermentation, the interaction between yeast and hops creates new aromatic compounds, which then results in greater depth of flavor. Generally speaking, there is much more variance in how a non-alcoholic IPA tastes than a non-alcoholic lager.
To read the remainder of this premium article and other premium articles in their entirety, pick up the Julien’s Journal December 2025 issue. Single issues are available in print for free at area newsstands, or you can click here to read the entire article for free in the digital version of the magazine.
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