Non-Alcoholic Beer and Wine - LeNell it All

by LeNell Smothers, Posted Sep 10th 2010 @ 5:00PM

non-alcoholic beers Photo: plindberg, Flickr

As a bartender, I respect folks who are responsible enough to not imbibe alcohol when he or she is the designated driver. I respect folks even more who have conquered alcoholism but still want to share an evening out with friends that may be drinking. Which is why every respectable gathering should have non-alcoholic beverage options.

In order to be called "non alcoholic" under federal laws, a beverage can contain up to half a percent of alcohol by volume. Non-alcoholic beer probably tops out as the favorite non-drinkers drink. During Prohibition these "cereal beverages" became commonly known as "near beers," and they're how many local and regional breweries were able to stay in business.

Miller beer added Sharp's to its portfolio around 1989. Anheuser-Busch introduced O'Doul's in 1990. The success of O'Doul's led them to release an amber style in 1997. Soon everyone seemed to have a non-alcoholic beer in their portfolio.

Now not only can you buy a cheaper beer like Old Milwaukee in a non-alcoholic version, but you can also find many more expensive brands to choose from. Guinness has a premium alcohol-free lager called Kaliber on the market that goes for about $7 a six pack. German beer brewers offer several decent brands (you may see "alkoholfrei" on German labels) -- some of the most popular are St. Pauli Girl, Beck's, and Clausthaler, and also fall in the $7 to $8 per six pack range. Schneider Weisse and Erdinger are both more expensive German wheat beer brands that now offer non-alcohol versions; they can be difficult to find in the U.S., but are definitely worth the effort.

The two big players in the U.S. non-alcoholic wine market are California wineries J. Lohr with Ariel and Sutter Home with Fre $6 to $8 a bottle. You'll find Chardonnay, white Zinfandel, Merlot, and even sparkling variations under both Ariel and Fre labels.

The Liquid Muse and author Natalie Bovis paired up with Fre at the New Orleans' event Tales of the Cocktail to offer this refreshing non-alcoholic punch that serves 10-12 people.

Self-Imposed Prohibition Punch
1/4 cup demerara (raw) sugar
1 1/2 cups green tea
2 cups Fre Alcohol-Removed Chardonnay
1/2 cup peach juice
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Freshly grated nutmeg
Sliced lemons (for garnish)

Pour the sugar into a large heat proof pitcher; slowly add the hot green tea. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Set aside and let cool. Meanwhile, pour the Fre Chardonnay, peach juice and lemon juice into a punchbowl. Add the sweetened tea mixture. Stir. Add a grating of nutmeg over the surface of the punch. Serve over ice-filled punch cups or wine glasses. Garnish with a slice of lemon on the rim of the glass or surface of the drink.

Filed Under: Drinks, Spirits
Tags: non-alcoholic, non-alcoholic beer, non-alcoholic wine, Non-alcoholicBeer, Non-alcoholicDrinks, Non-alcoholicWine

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-13-2010 @9:09PM EPB "Kika" said... Bravo! to the author for composing not only a thoughtful but also, a realistic approach from both the purveyors' perspective and patrons' too. By providing more options this minimizes any mishaps enabling all parties to enjoy themselves whilst still respecting one's limits. Also, a most delectable way to boot-- cheers! from girl gringo abroad, EPB
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