I can no longer drink beer, is non-alc beer worth trying?

[NightWatcher]

Unfortunately this beer nerd can no longer imbibe the good stuff. Should I even bother trying to get the taste from the non alcoholic stuff. I've heard some is better than others, but I've never tried it.

Anyone ever try the NA stuff?

[bluesbassman]

1. Well, it's kinda like kissing your aunt...

but the O'Douls Amber is not bad.

[LaurenG]

2. Unless you crave a crappy flavored beer

skip it and drink something else. Sorry.

[ohiosmith]

3. Check this out:

http://www.11points.com/Food-Drink/11_Non-Alcoholic_Beers,_Taste_Tested

[hlthe2b]

4. Like drinking decaff coffee to me... what's the point...

I suppose if you really really really like the basic taste of beer, but it certainly is not satisfying.

[Chan790]

5. No.

I tried them all. It's a mess.

The best replacement I found for beer isn't even trying to be beer. It's NA malt beverage like Malta Goya or Malta India. They don't taste like beer but I find them full-bodied and satisfying in the same way as beer whereas most NA beer tastes watery and unsatisfying. They have a strong malty molasses-like flavor. A six-pack in the cooler and some nachos and I'm really for some baseball.

[applegrove]

6. I drank non-alcoholic beer when I lived in Montreal. It was good. You could buy it at the grocery

store there. I got the stuff in the cans.

[Chan790]

7. Does it taste better in Canada...

or is Labatt's and Molson really that bad that it tastes okay in comparison?

It wouldn't surprise me if they're holding out the decent NA beer on us in Canada since I have to horde Mexican Coke around Jewish high holidays because the supermarket brings it in because it's kosher. I've got enough Coca-Cola to last until July. After that, I'm going to have to figure out who smuggles it in from Mexico that would sell to me.

[applegrove]

8. I don't have a very fine palate. I liked it better when it was the store brand, not a brand name.

[Throd]

9. No. It all sucks. Would anyone smoke marijuana with the THC removed?

[RZM]

10. In my experience it's a social thing

It's a way for problem drinkers who have quit to not feel left out during cocktail hour. My grandfather used to drink it when he and my grandmother would visit. He had been a problem drinker and quit in his 50s, but she never did quit (she drank like a fish). I don't think he liked the taste all that much, but he liked being part of the festivities.

At the end of my grandmother's life she had dementia and we would give her a glass of what amounted to NA wine (tiny bit of wine, with lots of ice and some water), just so she could hold it/sip it and feel that connection with her past routine.

I think few people would sit around by themselves and drink NA beer. It's more for social gatherings.

[Kaleva]

11. I only drank beer to get drunk.

[libodem]

12. Does that mean you stopped drinking?

Good on ya if you needed to quit and were able to conquer the demon. If not carry on. No judgement. Party on, Wayne.

[Kaleva]

15. 20 years ago last December

Went with a friend to Green Bay to watch a Lions-Packers game and on the way back we bought a 12 pack to split. I had one beer out of the 12 pack and it tasted so bad I never drank again. Completely lost the desire to drink anything with alcohol that day even though I was a very bad drunk.
The friend I was with wasn't so lucky as he died from drinking a couple of years ago.

[emilyg]

16. Good for you.

[libodem]

21. Took me a while to get back

Glad it was an easy decision and might have saved your life, say as compared to your friend.

[LASlibinSC]

13. Sorry..

but no. My ex had to quit and we tried but...no, Good luck! Hey he did start drinking green tea and became a fan. Just a thought!

[GoneOffShore]

14. I can't drink beer because of the gout (thanks Dad).

When I want something with the bulk of beer I opt for cider.

Otherwise it's wine.

I've tried non-alcoholic beer and it's worse than Budweiser.

[TuxedoKat]

17. About

2-3 years ago I started drinking flavored seltzer water (zero calories, zero sodium) instead of diet sodas and it took away my desire for a beer. I'm not sure why, and not that I drank beer alot. The seltzer must have satisfied the desire for something fizzy and not too sweet. I usually drink Polar Seltzer but grocery stores have their brands too that are good. My favorite flavors are Black Cherry, Lime, Orange and Cherry Pomegranate. There is just a hint of sweetness, so don't worry about them being too sweet, in spite of their names. Try it, it might work for you too.

[HopeHoops]

18. The only one that tastes like "beer" is Old Millwater NA.

That's funny since regular Old Millwater makes me want to puke. If you can find it, American is a close second and the Busch NA isn't bad. The expensive ones are all fruity and smell like old gym socks.

[leeroysphitz]

19. NA beer tastes like bitter ashes in your mouth. n/t

[GoCubsGo]

20. My dad says Clausthaler is pretty good.

My mom is on meds and can't drink alcohol, so my dad got some Clausthaler, which they both drink. He says it's decent. I guess it's worth a try if you can find it in your region.