Non-alcoholic beer is a growing category, but here’s something that surprises a lot of people—many NA beers still contain some alcohol. That sounds contradictory, right? If it’s labeled “non-alcoholic,” shouldn’t it be completely alcohol-free?
The reality is a little more complicated. Let’s break it down, and talk about the process of making an NA beer.
How Is Non-Alcoholic Beer Made?
There are a few different ways brewers create NA beer, and the process determines whether trace amounts of alcohol remain or not.
- Controlled Fermentation – In this process, brewers use specialized yeast strains or control the fermentation temperature to prevent the production of alcohol. The result is a beer that stays under the 0.5% alcohol-by-volume (ABV) threshold without any need for alcohol removal.
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Dealcoholization – Many NA beers start as regular beers before the alcohol is removed. This can leave beers with ABVs under 0.5%, and in some cases, beers can even reach 0.0% ABV. There are two popular methods for achieving this:
- Vacuum Distillation: The alcohol is evaporated at lower temperatures by reducing pressure, which helps preserve the beer’s flavor while removing alcohol.
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Reverse Osmosis: A semi-permeable membrane filters out alcohol, preserving the beer’s flavors, which are then recombined with water to maintain balance.
- Dilution – Some brewers create a full-strength beer and dilute it with water to bring the ABV down. While simpler, it can affect the beer’s overall flavor and body. The final product typically falls in the 0.4–0.5% ABV range.
Why Do NA Beers Still Have Alcohol?
In the U.S., a beverage can be labeled “non-alcoholic” as long as it contains less than 0.5% ABV . This small amount is typically a byproduct of fermentation—just like in kombucha, ripe bananas, and even certain types of bread.
And here’s a fun fact: Apple juice contains alcohol too. Studies have shown store-bought apple juice can have 0.2–0.4% ABV—sometimes more than some NA beers. So if you’ve ever raised an eyebrow at an NA beer’s alcohol content, just remember: that apple juice in your fridge isn’t exactly innocent either.
What If You Want 0.0%?
For those who want to avoid alcohol completely, some brands offer true 0.0% ABV options. These are made using advanced filtration or alternative brewing techniques that prevent any alcohol from forming.
So...that's why some non-alcoholic beers contain alcohol.
NA beer is more than just an alternative—it’s its own category with real craft and innovation behind it. If you’re choosing it for health reasons, curiosity, or just because you love the taste, knowing how it’s made (and why it sometimes contains alcohol) gives you more control over what you’re drinking.
And next time someone questions why NA beer has a little alcohol, just tell them: so does their apple juice. 🍏🍺
