Cool off

For a long time, the non-

alcoholic beer category was the lowest of the low and generally offered a miserable beverage experience. As quality has improved along with the science, the category has increased significantly allowing well-crafted products to have an alternative place in the hands or glasses of consumers who may sometimes want to enjoy something without alcohol or even those people who like the taste of beer, but for whatever reason, are avoiding alcohol.

Here in Canada, products with less than 1.1 percent alcohol by volume can state that they are alcohol free on the label, and can also be sold at grocery stores or other stores that don’t have an alcohol license.

It’s worth repeating, these products have little to no alcohol, which is part of what makes beer a beer, so in some ways they could be “missing” something on the palate.

Partake Brewing India Pale Ale (0.3 percent), Canada

One of the best non-alcholic beers around, the solid hop presence on the nose is always promising, and the fruitiness and bitterness of the hops on the palate make up for a number of the shortcomings of lowalcohol beer. Again, crisp and refreshing for those that like an IPA fairly hoppy. CSPC +827811 4-pack cans, $9-10

Refreshing

Non Alcoholic Beers

Svaneke Organic Pale Ale (less than 0.5 percent), Denmark

Really quite tasty and with a deep, bready, and expressive nose and palate. In the glass, where the true battle is won, this is barely recognizable as having no alcohol and has a pleasing and tasty palate. Best of all is the crisp and lively finish. Organic too, if that helps sway you. CSPC +839395 500 mL bottle $5-6

Nøgne Stripped Craft Alcohol Free Lime Infused Ale (0 percent alcohol), Norway

While this certainly has the ale part locked down, it’s what has been added that makes this stand out, not what is missing. A good, lighter-bodied ale is brought to life by the tart lime notes from the lime juice and lime zest. I’d drink this as a nice dry alternative to a beer almost any day of the week. CSPC +1396913 330 mL bottle, $4

Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc Alcohol Free (0.5 percent), France

A flavoured, alcohol-free beer with a great mouthfeel and a rather coconut-driven, tropical flavour to go with the citrus and coriander. Honestly, the lack of alcohol was rather subtle, making for an almost coolerlike experience rather than a beer alternative. CSPC +826216 6-pack bottles, $15-16

Village Local Non-Alcoholic Stout (0.1 percent), Alberta

From Calgary’s Village Brewery, the Local is a rich stout showing off espresso bean and mild hop notes. On the palate, it’s got the weight and flavours you’d expect, but without the alcohol; in many regards it tastes like a black lager. Rather refreshing. CSPC +830310 4-pack cans, about $12

...and Ready to Drink

BY TOM FIRTH

The beverage category, which used to be dominated by Bartles & James wine coolers, and later Smirnoff Ice and Mike’s Hard

Lemonade has been really exploding these past few years.

Most notable is really how far they’ve come. Sugars are more in balance as manufacturers work with higher quality ingredients including the base spirit, and these products compete better against beer and wine than they used to. The coolest part? Many of the best gracing our shelves these days are made right here in Alberta.

Troubled Monk Epitaph Gin & Soda

From the fine folks at Red Deer’s Troubled Monk Brewery comes a fresh batch of very new offerings. Their Gin & Soda (CSPC +844966) is based around their Epitaph Gin, and has about 5 percent alcohol but no sugar, no calories, and no carbs. Pretty subtle on the palate, the only thing it’s missing is a garnish of lime. Also available is their Adequate Vodka Soda (CSPC +838904), which is perfectly balanced with citrus, and Troubled Tea (CSPC +819955), a hard iced tea that is hard to put down. And, they are currently offering free home delivery to Calgary on Fridays! 6 pack cans, around $15-17

Collective Arts Dry Gin and Soda Grapefruit, Lemon & Thyme

We tasted two flavours around the Culinaire offices (the Grapefruit, Lemon & Thyme and the Raspberry and Bitter Orange) and were suitably impressed. Tasting of premium ingredients and wonderfully well balanced, they are both quaffable and delicious - without too much sweetness. Something good to have on hand to evoke the summer months or just for ahem… chilling out. CSPC +829927 and +829928 4-pack cans, about $15-17

Grizzly Paw Brewery Mountain Mule

A ready to drink Moscow Mule, using Grizzly Paw’s own ginger beer and locally made vodka comes together as a spicy and refreshing tipple. I’ve long been a fan of a number of their beers (and sodas), but these might just be the way to go this summer. Ringing in with about 5.5 percent alcohol, so not too strong either. (CSPC +808941), also available as a Grizzly Greyhound (CSPC +821580) and a Gin Squeeze (CSPC +835237) 4 pack cans, about $15-17

Eau Claire Equinox Mule

A product that gets plenty of play around my home in the warmer months, the Equinox Mule (CSPC +815460). Using the intensely flavoured and rather aromatic Eau Claire Prickly Pear EquinOx vodka and Annex Ale’s ginger beer, it’s a sweeter drink than some, but totally well-suited to a scorching hot day. Also available from the talented team at Eau Claire? A very convenient Parlour Gin & Tonic (CSPC +802299), and a very smashable Spruce Berry Smash (CSPC +831358) 4 pack cans, around $15-17