TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

This year I have to curtail (but not cease) my beer intake, and I've become partial (as second-best option) to some non-alcoholic beers (I mean ales, not lagers). I'm assuming the Cropredy bar isn't going to have such an option. There are several bottled options here in Ireland but I 'd really prefer to take a pile of cans than a pile of bottles for reasons of weight, safety and handiness. So the question is, does anyone know of a UK major brand supermarket that  sells decent canned ale (or wheat beer but not lager). I'm not talking connoisseur stuff here but I'm sure I've seen the like of Speckled Hen and Abbotts in cans somewhere. I don't need the location, just the chain that sells it, and I'll find one on the journey down.
Thanks in advance...

All the major supermarkets have a decent range of non-alcoholic beverages. There’s a Tesco in Banbury just off the motorway.

 I’m taking no alcohol cider as I too will be reducing my consumption, particularly with it being so hot.

Brewdog is a particular favourite of mine.

So am I due to my chronic kidney disease… annoying isn’t it!

You could order some from Amazon and have it delivered to someone who would bring it down for you.

If you like a hoppy ale I can recommend Nanny State by Brewdog widely available in supermarkets.  One of the few non alcoholic beers that actually tastes of something.  Also worth trying Adnams Ghost Ship non alcohol - Morrisons and others.
 
Vince

I have never been interested in low alcohol beer, but recently I became intrigued at the idea of Guinness 0%, so I bought a 4 pack in my local Tesco, and have to say it looked and tasted very similar to the real thing, but the head disappeared quickly.  I won't buy it again as my curiosity has been sated, but its really not bad.

I'm a fan of 0% Guinness, whereas Brewdog's 0% stuff left me with an upset stomach. Most of the time I drink water, but Dandelion & Burdock or Ginger Beer also feature. I have to say neither taste great after a day on a hot field.

Thanks all. Food (or drink) for thought there. We have a Tesco but I was never drawn to Brewdog due to the tiny cans - hardly worth opening them...
I agree Andy, I'm very pleasantly surprised at Guinness Zero, especially after their ill-fated dabbles in lager, white beer, etc. It doesn't keep its head but it does taste like Guinness. It's like the extra pint of it someone buys you at a wedding and its still there at the end so you swig it down anyway, despite it being flat and watery.

I might look for a Morrisons- I'm really looking for a variety to keep things interesting
Cheers all, bottoms up 🥴

Maybe it's just best to stick to (low/no sugar) soft drinks.

No it's not (for me)... i like to savour the feel and taste of a beer, (or a wine) and the odd soft drink for quenching the thirst, but i couldn't imagine nursing a fizzy drink for half an hour. I do realise 0% beers aren't  for everyone,but they'll do me.

THe low alcohold Ghost ship (0.5% alcohol) is quite good, the citra hops mask the unmistakable (not enjoyable) tang of most low alcohol beers. Brewdog AF, however, is my choice if I need to be on a np-low, it tastes like a proper beer.

I can personally recommend https://www.bigdropbrew.com/ (my mate James started the company) on the grounds that they won best beer overall at a festival without any of the panel knowing they were drinking non-alcoholic beer! Also, it comes in cans.

I'm a bit confused.  Their online presence talks about alcohol free but then suggests all their beer is 0.5ABV?

If you buy non- alcoholic in Sainsburys it still flags up at the automatic tills to be age verified. For the avoidance of doubt I wouldnt touch it, its either beer or water for me.  ;D

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/news/what-s-the-difference-between-low-alcohol-and-alcohol-free-drinks

I don’t make the rules.

I think you're missing my point. For instance this can says both "alcohol free" and "0.5% ABV".  That, according the list above is incorrect then...isn't it?  https://www.bigdropbrew.com/home/

“This means that ‘alcohol-free’ beers can contain a very small amount of alcohol.  But how much is 0.05% ABV? To give you some context, a pint (568ml) of 1% ABV beer contains just over half a unit of alcohol[1], which is why 0.05% ABV drinks can be labelled as alcohol-free.”

I, honestly, would take it up with them if it’s bothering you that much.  ::)

Shane, you're getting your 0.05 and 0.5's mixed up. If it said 0.05 you'd obviously be correct (and so would they).  It doesn't, it says 0.5, in which case it is not alcohol free (but can be called "de-alcoholised").

Caffeine-free tea and coffee both contain caffeine.

But lots less than the usual stuff.

I have bought AF cider, lager and G&T for Cropredy. I shall alternate them with the alcoholic versions purchased from the bar  {:-)

Wonder if Hook Norton will run dry, like Wadsworths did one very hot year? The hotter it is, the later I go to the bar, but if people start panic beering…  ;D

Drinking alcohol to stay cool in excessive heat is a seriously bad idea.  That way lies all manner of unpleasantness.

Big Drop, Drop Bear & Brulo are excellent non-alcoholic/low alcoholic brewers. They all seem to be pretty easily available in cans too..

It's stopping drinking that's the problem David 😉

I’ve already started. Nice big swig of… tea in the glamping field. ;-) Food & drink by The Brasnose here too.

Bit off a faff, but here's a trick I learnt during the first lockdown, when I was buying 2 litre bottles of draught from the window of a local pub: pour a little beer into the bottom of the pint glass, stick a hand blender in and whizz it for 10s, add the rest of the beer. Perfect head that stays there like you'd expect.

Hmmm, might try that with the Guinness.  Cheers.

Let me know how it works with the canned stuff. I imagine it will be the same, if not better :)