Non-alcoholic Beer: The Truth Behind 11 Persistent Myths

There are many misconceptions about non-alcoholic beer. Is non-alcoholic beer healthy? Does it make you gain weight? And what about the sugar content? Time to set the record straight and debunk the myths.

Myth 1: Drinking a lot of 0.5% beer will get you drunk

Fact: The alcohol content is so tiny that your blood alcohol level won’t rise. Your liver breaks it down immediately. You can safely drink non-alcoholic beer without any risk of intoxication or a positive breath test.

Myth 2: Non-alcoholic beer makes you fat

Fact: Alcohol is the main culprit for weight gain, not beer without alcohol. Alcohol contains 7 kcal per gram (almost as much as fat). A regular 5% beer quickly adds up to 150 kcal. A non-alcoholic beer often has only half that. So: non-alcoholic beer is lower in calories and does not make you fat.

Myth 3: Non-alcoholic beer contains a lot of sugar

Fact: Non-alcoholic beer typically contains less than 2 grams of sugar per 100 ml. These are residual sugars that haven’t been fermented into alcohol. That’s slightly more than regular beer, which contains virtually no sugar because it’s fully converted into alcohol. But it’s still far less than soft drinks or fruit juice (over 10 g/100 ml). If you’re wondering, “how much sugar is in non-alcoholic beer?” the answer is: usually very little.

Myth 4: Non-alcoholic beer has no taste

Fact: Modern brewers add extra hops, fruit, or spices to compensate for the absence of alcohol. Today, there are IPAs, wheat beers, stouts, and pilsners that taste almost as good as their alcoholic counterparts. Non-alcoholic beer tastes great – we challenge you to a taste test.

Myth 5: Non-alcoholic beer is only for people who can’t handle alcohol

Fact: Non-alcoholic beer is enjoyed by a wide range of people: athletes, health-conscious drinkers, foodies, and those who simply want to cut back on alcohol. Many beer sommeliers also appreciate non-alcoholic beer – especially because it’s more technically challenging to brew well.

Myth 6: Non-alcoholic beer is just a hype

Fact: The market has been growing by double digits for years. Supermarkets and bars are expanding their offerings. Brewers are investing seriously in non-alcoholic options. This isn’t a passing fad – it’s a permanent category.

Myth 7: Non-alcoholic beer is only for people who have drunk alcohol before

Fact: People who have never drunk alcohol also enjoy non-alcoholic beer. Think of young people, athletes, or those who avoid alcohol for religious or health reasons. It’s a legitimate beverage in its own right.

Myth 8: Non-alcoholic beer is only for pregnant women or designated drivers

Fact: That image is outdated. Nowadays, people drink non-alcoholic beer because they want to be more mindful with alcohol, start or end an evening more lightly, or simply because they like the taste.

Myth 9: You shouldn’t drink non-alcoholic beer after exercising

Fact: Quite the opposite. Non-alcoholic beer is often isotonic, which means it quickly replenishes fluids and minerals. Some varieties even contain added magnesium, protein, or vitamins. This makes non-alcoholic beer a good recovery drink after sports.

Myth 10: Pregnant women shouldn’t drink non-alcoholic beer

Fact: Here we make an exception. During pregnancy, we recommend 0.0% beer. Better safe than sorry. While breastfeeding, beer up to 0.5% is not a problem. If you’re searching “non-alcoholic beer pregnancy,” always go for 0.0.

Myth 11: Drinking 0.5% beer can cause liver cirrhosis

Fact: No. Liver cirrhosis is caused by years of heavy alcohol consumption (daily >20–30 grams of pure alcohol). 100 ml of 0.5% beer contains only 0.4 g of alcohol – a fraction of a normal beer. It’s physically impossible to drink harmful amounts.

In short

Non-alcoholic beer is full of flavor, for everyone, and fits into a conscious lifestyle. The myths are outdated, and the facts speak for themselves. Whether you’re looking for a low-calorie option, a refreshing IPA, or a 0.0% after sports – there’s always a perfect choice.

Do you have a question or dilemma about non-alcoholic beer yourself? Let us know – maybe we’ll dedicate our next blog to it.