Do alcohol-free beers have a lot of sugar?

November 13, 2025 •

3 min read

According to DrinkWell UK, many alcohol-free beers are actually higher in sugar and carbohydrates than their standard, alcoholic counterparts. This counter-intuitive fact leaves many health-conscious consumers wondering: do alcohol-free beers have a lot of sugar?

Quick Summary

The sugar content in alcohol-free beer varies by brand and brewing method, often increasing during production to compensate for flavor lost when alcohol is removed. This can result in some non-alcoholic beers having a higher sugar and carbohydrate count than traditional beer, despite being lower in calories.

Key Points

High Sugar Content Varies by Brand: Many alcohol-free beers are brewed to contain higher levels of residual or added sugar to replace flavor lost during dealcoholization.
Check Nutritional Labels: The sugar and carbohydrate content differ significantly between non-alcoholic brands, so checking the label is essential for managing your intake.
Brewing Process Affects Sugar: Methods like limited fermentation or vacuum distillation can leave behind more residual sugars compared to traditional brewing, where yeast converts most sugars to alcohol.
Overall Calories are Lower: Despite potential high sugar, non-alcoholic beers are typically lower in calories than their alcoholic counterparts because they lack the high caloric content of alcohol.
Not a 'Health Food' Automatically: While a healthier option than standard alcoholic drinks, the sugar content means non-alcoholic beer should not be considered a 'health food' and should be consumed in moderation, especially by those monitoring sugar intake.
Healthier Alternatives Exist: There is a growing market of low-sugar and zero-sugar alcohol-free beers, made possible by innovative brewing techniques.

Understanding the Brewing Process and Sugar

When it comes to regular beer, yeast consumes the sugars from the malted grains during fermentation, converting them into alcohol and carbon dioxide. This process results in a product with a relatively low sugar content. In contrast, producing non-alcoholic beer requires halting this process or removing the alcohol afterward, which can leave a high level of residual sugar or necessitate adding sugar back for flavor.

There are several methods for creating non-alcoholic beer, and each can affect the final sugar level differently:

Limited fermentation: Brewers can use special yeasts that don't fully ferment the sugars or limit the amount of fermentable sugar in the wort. This leaves residual sugars in the final product.
Vacuum distillation: The brewed beer is heated under a vacuum, which lowers the boiling point of alcohol and allows it to be removed with minimal heat and flavor loss. However, this still leaves behind the sugar that was not fermented.
Reverse osmosis: The beer is passed through a fine filter that separates the alcohol and water from the flavor and aroma compounds. The water is then added back, but sugar is often re-introduced to improve the taste.

The Sugar and Carb Content of Non-Alcoholic Beers

Contrary to popular belief, the absence of alcohol does not automatically make a beer a low-sugar product. In fact, many non-alcoholic beers contain significantly more sugar and carbohydrates than their alcoholic equivalents. For instance, comparing the original Heineken and the 0.0 version reveals a stark difference: the 5% ABV version has 0g of sugar, while Heineken 0.0 has 4.3g of sugar per 330ml bottle. Similarly, Peroni's regular lager contains 0g of sugar, while its alcohol-free version, Peroni Libera, packs 10g of sugar per 330ml.

Non-Alcoholic vs. Alcoholic Sugar Comparison


Feature	Non-Alcoholic Beer	Regular Alcoholic Beer
Sugar Content	Often contains residual or added sugars for flavor.	Typically has low or zero sugar content after fermentation.
Carbohydrates	Can contain more carbohydrates due to higher sugar levels.	Generally contains fewer carbohydrates, as sugars are converted to alcohol.
Calories	Lower in calories than full-strength beer because of the lack of alcohol.	Higher in calories due to the caloric content of alcohol (7 calories per gram).
Flavor Profile	Often adjusted with sugar or other flavorings to compensate for taste loss.	Flavors are a direct result of the fermentation process and ingredients.

Not All NA Beers Are Created Equal

It is crucial for consumers to read the nutritional labels on non-alcoholic beverages. While some brands are high in sugar, others are specifically brewed to be low-sugar or even zero-sugar options. For example, Athletic Brewing Company offers options with minimal sugar, while other brands might include significant amounts. Craft brewers, in particular, are developing a wide variety of techniques to preserve flavor without relying heavily on sugar. Some beers achieve a fuller body and taste through innovative brewing methods, such as utilizing specific yeast strains or specialized filtration, to create a flavorful product with minimal residual sugar.

For those watching their sugar intake, the non-alcoholic beer market now provides a broader spectrum of options than ever before. Several brands are actively marketing themselves as low-sugar alternatives, and the availability of nutritional information on packaging is becoming more common, allowing for more informed choices.

Health Implications of Sugar Content

For many, the move to alcohol-free beer is motivated by a desire to make healthier choices. While these beers help reduce alcohol intake, the high sugar content in some varieties can have its own health implications, including contributing to weight gain and blood sugar fluctuations. The NHS recommends that adults consume no more than 30g of free sugars a day, and a single high-sugar non-alcoholic beer could account for a significant portion of this daily allowance.

Conclusion: Read the Label to be Sure

So, do alcohol-free beers have a lot of sugar? The answer is that it varies dramatically by brand and brewing process. Some non-alcoholic options contain surprisingly high sugar levels, while others are low or even zero-sugar. The takeaway for health-conscious consumers is to always check the nutritional information. The key is mindful consumption, ensuring that the switch to non-alcoholic beer aligns with overall dietary goals. With the market growing and more options available, a little research can help you find a delicious, low-sugar alternative that suits your lifestyle.

Dry Drinker offers a wide selection of non-alcoholic beers and provides nutritional information to help consumers make healthier choices

Frequently Asked Questions

When the alcohol is removed from beer, a significant portion of its flavor is also lost. Brewers often add sugar back into the brew to compensate for this and improve the taste, which can result in a higher sugar content than regular beer.

Not necessarily. While alcohol-free beers are often lower in calories due to the absence of alcohol (which is high in calories), the addition of sugar can sometimes balance this out. It's best to check the specific product's nutritional information.

The sugar content varies widely, from almost zero grams to over 10 grams per serving. On average, some sources report around 1.5g per 100ml, but high-sugar examples like certain Peroni or Coors non-alcoholic versions can have much more.

In many cases, yes. A typical soda contains significantly more sugar than most non-alcoholic beers. For example, a cola can have over 10g of sugar per 100ml, whereas many NA beers average around 1.5g per 100ml. However, this depends on the specific brands being compared.

You can, but you must be selective. While some NA beers are very low in sugar, others are not suitable for low-sugar diets due to high sugar and carbohydrate levels. Always check the nutritional label before consuming.

No. The sugar content depends on the brewing method. Some brewers use innovative techniques to achieve a 0.0% ABV without relying on high levels of sugar for flavor. Labels must be checked for each product.

Brewers focused on low-sugar options might use techniques like vacuum distillation or special yeast strains that produce less alcohol and residual sugar during limited fermentation. They may also avoid adding extra sugars post-brewing.