Dry January isn’t for everyone. Some people continue drinking their favorite whiskey, cocktails, wine, and beer straight through the Holidays and beyond. But, for folks looking for a healthy reset, Dry January is a great choice.
For the unaware, Dry January is exactly as the name suggests. Since it takes place right after the gatherings, heavy meals, and alcohol-filled nights of the Holiday season, it’s the perfect time to take a break. Drinkers do this to take a step back from alcohol to start the year on a healthier foot.
Why partake in Dry January?
In my experience, after the revelry and boozing of the Holidays, Dry January is a great idea because it can have a massive impact on your overall health. Taking a break from alcohol, even for a month, can help you sleep better, help clear your skin, lose weight, and increase your energy. Taking a long-term break can lower your blood pressure and blood sugar, among other health benefits.
NA beers that actually taste like beer
Now that we’ve explained the appeal of Dry January, it’s time to find something to drink this month. Sure, you can spend all of January drinking only tap water, but what’s the point of that? Like with any important, potentially life-altering decision. You also can’t just grab the first NA beer you see on a shelf. You might not be happy with the outcome when you crack open that bottle or can. Fear not, there are great NA choices galore.
Also, there’s a surprising number of non-alcoholic beers that actually taste like beer. Gone are the days of fizzy, yellow, flavorless NA beers. There are many major and smaller brands crafting flavorful NA IPAs, stouts, lagers, sour beers, and more. Below, you’ll find a great option. Keep scrolling to see them all.
Guinness 0
If you love Guinness Stout and you’d rather not drink some watery, flavorless NA stout instead this month, simply opt for the iconic Irish brand’s NA version: Guinness 0. This aptly named NA beer is surprisingly made with the same main ingredients as its traditional stout. This includes water, barley, hops, and yeast. But, after it’s brewed, the alcohol content is removed using a process called cold filtration. Even in its NA version, it still has all the memorable flavors of Guinness Stout, including roasted barley, chocolate, and coffee, with a creamy, noteworthy mouthfeel.
$7.99
Best Day Hazy IPA
Since its creation, the New England-style IPA has become a staple of the craft beer world. Known for its hazy, juicy, tropical, hoppy flavor profile, it’s perfect any time of year. One of the best NA versions is Best Day Hazy IPA. Made with water, barley, hops, and yeast, it has the alcohol removed, but the mouthfeel and flavor remain. The result is a low-calorie, non-GMO, vegan, low-carb hazy NA
$11.49
Deschutes NA Black Butte
If you want to partake in Dry January, but you don’t want to take a month off from a well-made, sweet, dry, malty porter style beer, Deschutes NA Black Butte is a great choice. Brewed with yeast, specialty malts like Dark Chocolate, Wheat, 2-row, Carapils, and Crystal 75), as well as Cascade and Tettnang hops, it features all of the timeless porter flavors drinkers have come to expect. They include roasted malts, dark chocolate, coffee, and candied nuts.
$11.99
Sierra Nevada Trail Pass
When it comes to classic beers for hop fans, it’s difficult to beat the appeal of the iconic Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Luckily, if you’re joining in on Dry January, you can still enjoy your hops without any alcohol. Sierra Nevada Trail Pass is brewed with Amarillo, Bravo, Cascade, CTZ, and Magnum as well as ale yeast. Made using traditional brewing methods rather than alcohol removal, it’s known for its caramel malt, citrus peel, and dank hop flavors.
$10.99
Untitled Art FLVR! NA Italian Pils
If you’re a fan of refreshing, crisp pilsners, there are non-alcoholic options for you as well. While there’s a lot to choose from, one of the best is Untitled Art FLVR! NA Italian Pils. With a malt backbone and dry-hopped with Hallertau Mittelfrüh and Strata hops, it’s known for its balance and crisp flavor profile, featuring notes of cracker malts, honey, citrus, and gentle floral and piney hops. It’s just as thirst-quenching as your favorite pilsner without the alcohol. Drink it now and all year long as a break from your usual pilsners.
$15.99
Partake Brewing Peach Gose
Don’t worry, sour beer fans, there are myriad NA choices for you as well. Partake Brewing Peach Gose is one of our favorites. Made with water, barley, wheat, coriander, natural flavors, sea salt, and yeast, it’s known for its tart, salty, sweet, refreshing flavor profile filled with notes of gentle spices, slight tart acidity, ripe peach, and a light, memorable salinity that will leave you craving more.
$10.99
