Try These Beers If You Don't Like Beer

If you're not a fan of beer, you're not alone. Luckily, there are plenty of options that might change your mind. From fruit-flavoured beers to chocolate stouts, there's a whole world of beer that doesn't taste remotely like the traditional beverage. If you're looking for something light and refreshing, a wheat beer or a Belgian-style white ale could be a good place to start. For those who want to mask the taste of beer, a michelada – which has the fizz of a nice, light beer but mostly tastes like tomato juice – might be the way to go. If you're after something a little sweeter, chocolate stouts or fruit beers might be up your alley. And if you really can't stand the taste of beer, you could always opt for a non-alcoholic option or a root beer. So, whether you're a wine drinker, a spirit sipper or just not a fan of the traditional beer taste, there's sure to be a brew out there that's perfect for you.

Lambics

The process of making a lambic is very different from brewing a traditional ale or lager. Lambics need a vigorous mash, use aged hops, and are boiled for three or more hours. Lambics also undergo a signature process called spontaneous fermentation, where the brewer exposes the steeped grain liquid to the open air, often using a coolship to cool down the beer.

The name lambic may stem from alembic, a type of still used for producing local spirits such as cognac and jenever. The beverage is first mentioned in 1794 as allambique. The initial 'a' was dropped early on, and in an 1811 advertisement, it was called lambicq.

Types of lambic include gueuze, kriek lambic, and framboise. Lambics may also be made with the addition of peach, blackcurrant, grape, strawberry, apple, banana, pineapple, apricot, plum, cloudberry, lemon, or blueberry.

Stouts

If you're not a fan of beer, you might want to give stouts a try. Stouts are a type of dark, rich, and flavourful beer that falls under the ale category. They are known for their deep colour, roasted malt flavours, and often creamy texture. While some people may find stouts too heavy, they can be a great option for those who don't like the taste of traditional beer. Here are some stouts that might be worth trying:

Guinness 0.0

Guinness, the iconic Irish brewery, has created a non-alcoholic version of its classic stout. Guinness 0.0 has the same smooth taste, balanced flavour, and unique dark colour as the original, but without the alcohol content. It's a great option for those who want to enjoy the taste of Guinness without the buzz.

S'mores Dark Brew by Untitled Art

This craft brewery based in Wisconsin is known for its innovative beers and unique flavours. Their S'mores Dark Brew is a non-alcoholic stout that tastes like chocolate and marshmallows, reminiscent of a campfire treat.

Dave's American Dark Malt by Athletic Brewing

Athletic Brewing specialises in non-alcoholic beers, and their Dave's American Dark Malt is a malty stout with hints of chocolate and caramel. It's a great option for those looking for a rich, dark beer without the alcohol.

Peanut Butter Dark by Bravus Brewing

If you're a peanut butter lover, this one's for you. Bravus Brewing has crafted a non-alcoholic stout with a strong peanut butter taste and aroma. Along with the hazelnut and roasted malt notes, it's a unique and indulgent experience.

Grüvi Stout by Grüvi Brewing

This craft brewery based in Seattle has created a non-alcoholic stout that's gluten-free and vegan-friendly. The Grüvi Stout has a nutty and honey flavour with a thick, rich texture, resembling a traditional alcoholic stout.

First Ride by Athletic Brewing

Another offering from Athletic Brewing, this non-alcoholic stout has slight dark coffee and nutty flavours. With its jet-black colour and Starbucks-like aroma, it's a great option for those wanting a coffee-like beer experience.

Wheat Beers

Some popular wheat beer options include:

• Blue Moon
• Hoegaarden
• Allagash White
• Dogfish Namaste
• Shock Top
• Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat
• Erdinger Alkoholfrei Weissbier
• Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Alkoholfrei
• Magic Hat #9

Fruit Beers

If you're looking for a beer that doesn't taste like beer, UFO Georgia Peach is the brew for you. Spun off from Boston-based Harpoon, this beer promises a "right-off-the-peach-tree" flavor, and it delivers. While it has a hefeweizen base, none of the classic hefeweizen flavors—such as banana or clove—are detectable, leaving a refreshing, peachy drink. If you're not a fan of peaches, UFO beers also come in a variety of other fruit flavors, including pineapple, mango limeade, watermelon lemonade, and blood orange lemonade.

Another fruity option is Elysian Brewing's Raspy Whisper, a raspberry and chocolate gose. Each barrel of this beer contains 20 pounds of raspberries and five pounds of cocoa nibs, resulting in a fruity, sweet, and tangy beverage.

For a beer that's true to the raspberry theme, try Schlafly's Raspberry Hefeweizen. This beer is clean and tart, yet refreshing, with plenty of bright fruit flavors and a nice pink color.

If you're looking for something a little more unique, try Moody Tongue, a Chicago-based brewery with a culinary-inspired approach to beer. Their offerings include the Peeled Grapefruit Pilsner, Caramelized Chocolate Churro Baltic Porter, and Steeped Emperor's Lemon Saison—all of which are more reminiscent of their foodie namesakes than beer.

For a fruit beer with a moderate ABV, try Short's Soft Parade, a fruit ale brewed with pureed strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. While the beer has a fruity profile, the fruitiness doesn't overwhelm the overall balance, making it an excellent choice for those who don't typically enjoy beer.

Belgian-style White Ale

If you don't like beer, you might want to give Belgian-style White Ale a try. This type of beer, also known as Witbier, is a refreshing, elegant, tasty, and moderate-strength wheat-based ale. It has a very pale straw to a very light gold colour, and its cloudiness comes from the high level of wheat used in the mash, sometimes including oats. It is always spiced, generally with coriander and orange peel, and occasionally with other spices or herbs. The crispness and slight tang come from the wheat and the lively level of carbonation.

Some popular examples of Belgian-style White Ale include:

• Blue Moon Belgian White (Blue Moon Brewing Company)
• White (Allagash Brewing Company)
• Hoegaarden Original White Ale (Brouwerij van Hoegaarden)
• Shock Top Belgian White (Anheuser-Busch)
• Namaste (Dogfish Head Craft Brewery)
• White Rascal (Avery Brewing Company)
• Blanche De Chambly (Unibroue)

Frequently asked questions