Athletic Beers: Healthy Or Just Hype?

Athletic Brewing Company is a non-alcoholic beer brand that has gained popularity among those seeking a healthier alternative to regular beer. The company was founded by Bill Shufelt, who wanted to pursue a healthier and more active lifestyle without compromising on the enjoyment of beer-like drinks. The brand has two dedicated non-alcoholic breweries, one in California and the other in Connecticut, making it the only major brewery in the world with this distinction. Athletic Brewing's beers are crafted using ingredients like malt, barley, wheat, hops, and yeast, resulting in a variety of IPAs, stouts, lagers, and more. With calories as low as 25 per beer and an alcohol content ranging from 0.2% to 0.5%product quality, manufacturing standards, and commitment to environmental restoration projects, earning an overall grade of A+ in a review by The Nutrition Insider.

Athletic Brewing's non-alcoholic beers are said to be tasty and healthy

The non-alcoholic beers are said to be tasty, with one reviewer commenting that the Free Wave Hazy IPA is "craft (non-alcoholic) beer at its finest". Another reviewer describes the Geralt's Gold Hoppy Helles as "delightful", with "a peach nose, and [...] lingering taste that has notes of copper". The Upside Dawn Golden Ale is also described as "the easiest drink" with a slight malt flavour.

In terms of health, the beers are said to be healthier than alcoholic beers as they contain vital micronutrients like potassium and magnesium, electrolytes, and fewer calories. The Lite beer, for example, has only 25 calories and 5g of carbs. The non-alcoholic nature of the beers also means that drinkers can avoid the productivity-sapping hangovers and weight gain associated with alcoholic drinks.

The company's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility

Athletic Brewing Co. is committed to sustainability and social responsibility. The company is a Certified B Corp, which means it meets the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Through its "Two for the Trails" program, Athletic Brewing donates up to $2 million each year towards trail restoration and environmental stewardship. The company also prioritizes the well-being of its employees, offering benefits such as 401k matching, fully paid health, vision, and dental care, and extra paid time off for volunteering in their communities.

Athletic Brewing is dedicated to reducing its environmental impact and has implemented several sustainable practices. The company uses aluminum cans for its beers, which are 100% recyclable. They have also invested in a third U.S. brewing facility to increase their production capacity and meet the growing demand for their products. Additionally, Athletic Brewing has committed to inclusion in its hiring process, aiming to attract more members of the LGBTQ+ community and women to work at the brewery.

The company's founder, Bill Shufelt, noticed that other non-alcoholic beers lacked flavor, so he partnered with brewmaster John Walker to create a formula that delivers a great-tasting product. Athletic Brewing's non-alcoholic beers have all the appeal of craft beer without the alcohol content. These beers also have fewer calories than traditional beers, making them a healthier option for consumers.

Athletic Brewing is committed to giving back to the community and donates 2% of its total sales to various charities. The company has partnered with organizations such as the American Hiking Society, Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, and Fort Clinch State Park to support outdoor and community programs. They have also attracted serious investors, including former NFL players, cyclists, chefs, and entrepreneurs, who believe in the company's mission and values.

The health benefits of non-alcoholic beers for athletes

Non-alcoholic beer has traditionally been marketed towards people in recovery from alcoholism or those who are pregnant. However, non-alcoholic beer has recently gained popularity among athletes, with some companies, like Athletic Brewing, specialising in non-alcoholic craft beer.

Non-alcoholic beer has several health benefits that make it a good choice for athletes. Firstly, it is a source of vital micronutrients like potassium and magnesium, as well as electrolytes. It also contains fewer calories than alcoholic beer, with some non-alcoholic beers containing as few as 25 calories. In addition, non-alcoholic beer contains plant-derived compounds called phenols, which have anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce the risk of sickness.

Non-alcoholic beer can also be a good recovery drink for athletes. While alcoholic beer is a diuretic, which can lead to dehydration, non-alcoholic beer can help with rehydration. In addition, drinking non-alcoholic beer can be a social activity, providing an opportunity for athletes to bond and socialise with their teammates.

However, it is important to note that non-alcoholic beer is not completely alcohol-free, as it can contain up to 0.5% alcohol. Therefore, it may not be suitable for people who need to avoid alcohol completely, and it can still show up on a drug test.

The social aspect of drinking beer

Drinking is a social activity that has been a part of human culture since Neolithic times, and nearly every civilization has independently discovered the process of brewing beer. The social meanings of different beverages are clearly defined and understood, and the choice of beverage is rarely a matter of personal taste. Instead, drinks are used to define the nature of the occasion. For example, in many Western cultures, champagne is synonymous with celebration.

Drinking-places, such as pubs, bars, and breweries, are essential features of almost all alcohol-using cultures. They are special environments that represent a separate sphere of existence, with their own laws, customs, and values. Drinking-places tend to be socially integrative, classless environments, or at least environments in which status distinctions are based on different criteria from those operating in the outside world. The primary function of drinking-places is the facilitation of social interaction and social bonding.

In all cultures, alcoholic beverages are used as powerful and versatile symbolic tools to construct and manipulate the social world. Cross-cultural research has revealed four main symbolic uses of alcoholic beverages:

• As labels defining the nature of social situations or events
• As indicators of social status
• As statements of affiliation
• As gender differentiators

The history of non-alcoholic beers

The history of non-alcoholic beer dates back to medieval Europe, where "small beer" was consumed as an alternative to polluted water. These brews were made for everyday consumption by the working classes and were viewed as a more nutritious option.

In the United States, the temperance movement and the Volstead Act of 1919 banned the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic drinks containing more than 0.5% ABV. This led to the creation of very pale, low-flavour beers with minimal alcohol content, marking the true origins of alcohol-free brewing.

During the Prohibition era, "near beer" became popular, with major brewers like Anheuser-Busch and Pabst creating beverages with less than 0.5% ABV. This trend continued even after Prohibition ended, with consumers injecting the boiled-off alcohol back into the beer, resulting in "needle beer".

In the 1970s, Texan oil worker Manny Zelzer introduced non-alcoholic beer to the Middle East, where it was illegal to consume alcohol. His brand, Texas Select, was one of the first to bring non-alcoholic beer to the global market.

In 1990, O'Doul's became the first widely available non-alcoholic beer brand in the United States, normalising the concept of NA beer and offering an alternative to drinking.

In recent years, the craft NA beer movement has gained momentum, with brands like Athletic and Wellbeing emerging and promising a healthy alternative to regular craft beer. Athletic Brewing, founded in 2018, has become particularly popular for its award-winning non-alcoholic beers that taste similar to their alcoholic counterparts.

Frequently asked questions