Alcohol-free wines, beers and ciders: are they any good?

[LlygodenFach]

I work for a charity that does research into alcohol issues. I'm also a father of two, so I've seen a couple of times what it's like to try and cut back or abstain from alcohol for 9 months. Back when my boys were "in utero", it was Eisberg and Kaliber or nothing when it came to alcohol-free drinks for grown-ups.

These days, there's a lot more choice, and in an act of selfless heroism , a colleague and I have tried and reviewed 17 alcohol-free wines to see if they're any good:

www.drinkwisewales.org.uk/alcohol/alcohol-free/wines/

We've also been trying a shed-load of alcohol-free beers and ciders:

www.drinkwisewales.org.uk/alcohol/alcohol-free/beer-reviews/

www.drinkwisewales.org.uk/alcohol/alcohol-free/ciders/

I'd love to hear everyone's views about whether alcohol-free versions of normally alcoholic drinks do the trick for you; and what attracts you to them/what puts you off?

Cheers
Andrew (aka LlygodenFach)

I'd have to agree with BrawneLamia and againsttheodds, a good selection of alcohol-free beers in the fridge would make driving to a country pub a more attractive option for a lot of us.

On at least two occasions places which claim to have good alcohol free beer have failed to have it actually in stock.

WinterIsComingKnitFaster I've had that experience a few times too. I think it pays to keep asking, to show there's demand.

I think it is a bit catch 22. I think the demand would go up the better the selection and the better the taste. Having said that companies will find it more difficult to invest without the demand

Well how can they see whether there is a demand for these drinks when they don't actually sell them in the first place?

Could they look at sales of soft drinks over an evening? Although I suspect non drinkers would drink more if there was a nicer alternative. There's only so much lemonade you can drink.

BrawneLamia "There's only so much lemonade you can drink." Hear, hear!

Ditto all the positive comments about Becks - I couldn't really tell the difference.

Alcohol free Weissbier (German wheat beer) is a really nice refreshing summer drink, especially after exercise. It doesn't taste exactly like the normal stuff but is very pleasant once you know what to expect. Haven't seen it stocked here, but would highly recommend anyone to give it a go if they see it.

I am someone who, even when allowed to drink again, would pick a non alchie version over an alcoholic choice sometimes. I'm not a big drinker anyway and drink more because I like the taste of something than the alcoholic effect (I'm not saying I don't ever enjoy being tipsy but it's rare because I suffer AWFUL hangovers)

Ocado do this stuff Doublehelix. Very drinkable and only 50p a bottle - I think they sometimes have cheaper deals.

Scavi and Ray prosecco is very good as alcohol free wines go (much much better than any of the others). It's slightly sweeter than the real deal but far less sweet than all the others.

It does taste a bit like real alcohol too. I bought a few bottles for special occasions (it is as expensive as the real thing!) but I've since gone off the idea of alcohol completely so even alcohol free stuff makes me feel sick (kind of handy really as at least I don't miss wine!)

Becks Blue also good and I didn't find the Eisberg ones too awful

Becks Blue with a lemonade top, I drink it now mid week, we get a crate in the weekly shop.
Waitrose did a nice alcohol free cider too.

Thanks maudeismyfavouritepony, I'll get myself to Waitrose to try that cider.

And thank you FindingNemoandDory. Where did you find the Scavi and Ray prosecco?

I think I read about it on here but had to order online!

Enjoy 😊

I bought Rawson's retreat alcohol-free sparkling wine last Christmas as we had a HCP who was on-call over for Christmas Eve dinner. It tasted just like ordinary sparkling wine

HerOtgerHalf my husband has discovered Nanny State too, and buys it direct by the box load! Mostly because we have friends who are also expecting and I'm fairly sure they clear the shelves of every stockist in a 5-mile radius!

He also has found Waitrose 1% cider to be a good alternative to the normal stuff.

What I find tricky is finding the low/no alcohol stuff on the shelves. Most bottles don't label the ABV really clearly so you have to inspect each bottle. I should enlist the store's security guard really because he's always hovering nearby, watching me

Tried Nanny State after hearing god things about it but it wasn't for me.

Sainsbury's do a very good low alcohol Czech Pilsner, otherwise it's Beck's Blue.

Will be checking out the Waitrose cider. Sounds delish

good

Thanks for the info FindingNemoandDory

Have to agree Lunde, Rawson's Retreat do seem to do some of the best alcohol-free wines: www.drinkwisewales.org.uk/alcohol/alcohol-free/wines/#RRSC

Brew Dog Nanny Sate like other posters said, def the best i ever had throughout my 2 pregnancies.