Just a couple of decades ago, when non-alcoholic beer only appeared on the shelves of our stores, this drink caused bewilderment and jokes. Say, is it a beer in which there is no hops? But in fact, and hops, and malt, and all the other necessary components of the foamy drink there. And his taste should be the same as that of ordinary beer. Therefore, the choice of the best brand is not an easy task, because drinking a soft drink is nothing more than relishing the taste and aroma.
How and from what non-alcoholic beer is brewed
In fact, this is exactly the same drink as regular beer. They are cooked exactly the same, from the same components. Only brewers have to slow down at the very end, that is, the fortress in order to get non-alcoholic beer; 0 degrees, however, in fact, rarely when it is found - as a rule, a fortress fluctuates within a unit. But still, this percentage is too small to intoxicate, so all these products are classified as non-alcoholic. For comparison: even in good kvass or stale kefir, there are more “degrees” than in such a beer.
To remove the excess strength, the finished drink can be filtered, this is the so-called dialysis process - the most optimal way to save all the other characteristics of the product. The meaning of the technology is that the molecules of water and alcohol are of different sizes, so they are separated from each other through a special membrane filter. This method is used, for example, in the production of Baltika 0 beer.
There is also a technology during which the finished product is heated to high temperatures to evaporate alcohol. There is also a fermentation suppression technology. The process does not affect the final result too much - the output is ordinary beer, but with minimal strength.
Taste, color and aroma: how non-alcoholic differs from usual
Since non-alcoholic beer was originally the most common, their organoleptic properties should not be different. Light lager ( bottom-fermented beer , in which yeast settles to the bottom at low temperature - usually non-alcoholic counterparts are made from the lager) should have a light straw or golden color and transparency with minimal sediment (and even in rare cases).
The foam in the glass should be high (2-3 centimeters) and resistant (should hold for at least 2 minutes). Good foam is not only beautiful, it is also an indicator of freshness and fullness of taste.
A good drink should have a full, rich aroma. Depending on the raw materials used and the production technology, notes of apple and honey may be mixed with the smell of hops. These are good additives. If the beer smells of caramel, it means that they overdid it with temperature, and if yeast - they violated the recipe.
And finally, the taste. Hop bitterness should be soft, not sharp, felt only after a sip and pass within a couple of minutes. At the same time, tart, sweet or sour tastes will not dominate.
Non-alcoholic beer: Russian-made brands
So, which Russian brands deserve attention? First of all, we note zero “Baltika” - this is the first non-alcoholic beer that appeared from Russia in 2001. They make it at our large factory using modern dialysis, and they sell it everywhere. Perhaps that is why Baltika 0 is the most popular among Russian consumers. In addition, this variety is sold in a glass bottle and in a can.
Also in Russia , Bavaria 0 beer is brewed under a Dutch license. Its taste is closer to the traditional European camp and is rated higher than that of similar species. The variant from Stella Artois is also similar in characteristics - it is also Russian, but it is brewed using Belgian technology. What other brands offer non-alcoholic beer?
The brands produced at the Heiniken plant in St. Petersburg are diverse, and there are non-alcoholic products among them, for example, Zlatý Bažant Nealko. According to experts, the drink does not differ in high taste, it, as the reviews indicate, is drunk well, but does not stand out. There are notes of wet grass, sawdust, wet bread, which is often inherent in non-alcoholic samples.
In addition to Europeans, they love beer and know how to brew in the States. The American brand “Budweiser” produces in Russia, according to its technologies, the popular Bud Alcohol Free.
Regional brands
Separately, it is worth noting those brands of non-alcoholic beer (in Russia) that are brewed not according to Western technologies and at large enterprises, but in the regions. Among them are many worthy samples. For example, pasteurized filtered Besser from Barnaul Brewery. A local company in the Altai Territory has a long history of brewing, and their non-alcoholic version is very good.
Good non-alcoholic beer is also brewed in Siberia, as in Krasnoyarsk. For example, "Legend" from the plant "Picra". There are samples in Chuvashia - “Pennoye” from the Cheboksary brewing company.
Foreign varieties
In Europe, non-alcoholic varieties are more widespread and in demand than in Russia, and in this sense, the European and American markets are saturated with interesting products in this segment. In Russia, you can buy mainly a German product.
- Non-alcoholic beer of the brand Jever Fun is practically inferior in taste to traditional varieties with a strong bitterness.
- Maisel's Weisse Alkoholfrei - wheat beer.
- Paulaner - for lovers of wheat varieties, quenches thirst well.
Other geographical points are represented, for example, by Austria, which produces very good and tasty non-alcoholic Schloss Eggenberg, or the Netherlands with the Buckler brand (this non-alcoholic beer is brewed at the Heiniken foreign factory).
Stamps not sold in Russia
The very first “zero” beer, which in Russia is called the best on the European market, is Clausthaler. It is produced in Germany at the Binding-Brauerei factory, and you can buy from us only the usual Classic variety. However, the brand produces several different types of Clausthaler, which we can not try - lemon, ginger, herbal beer.
Belgian crafting Mikkeller is also highly regarded. Its hoppy notes are not inferior to the best examples of brewing skills in the alcohol segment.
Harm and Benefit
Of course, there is no particular benefit from beer, since the product of fermentation, albeit with a minimum amount of alcohol, will not bring health to the body, as well as harm. However, it is worth remembering that any beer is absorbed too quickly by the body, which leads to the appearance of excess weight. Excessive enthusiasm even for a non-alcoholic product can lead to varicose veins, hormonal imbalances.
However, scientific studies were conducted, during which the anticarcinogenic properties of the non-alcoholic were revealed, however, it’s too early to talk about the real help of this product in the fight against, say, tumors.
Behind the wheel
One of the reasons for the popularity of non-alcoholic beer is the ability to drink a bottle or two while driving. The minimum percentage of alcohol in this drink will not cloud your mind and will not appear in the blood during the test. To get drunk, you need to drink a few tens of liters. But remember the smell - if you are stopped, you will have to prove that you are not drunk.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding
Another category of non-alcoholic beer connoisseurs is pregnant and lactating women. So they can feel on the same wavelength as the rest in a fun company or at a festive table. However, unlike drivers, for mothers it is not a harmless product. It still contains alcohol, albeit in small quantities, and this may be enough to harm the child. In addition to alcohol, various harmful additives and preservatives can be present in the composition, and they can be even worse than degrees.