Which Non-Alcoholic Beer Has the Least Sugar?

October 20, 2025 •

4 min read

Non-alcoholic beers can contain a wide range of sugar levels, from virtually none to higher amounts than their alcoholic counterparts. For health-conscious drinkers, knowing which non-alcoholic beer has the least sugar is crucial for managing intake and making informed choices.

Quick Summary

An overview of non-alcoholic beers with the lowest sugar content, including specific brands like IMPOSSIBREW and Athletic Brewing Co. It covers why NA beer can have sugar and offers tips for choosing healthier options by checking nutritional labels.

Key Points

Extremely Low Sugar Options: Brands like IMPOSSIBREW, Beck's Blue, and Suntory All-Free offer some of the lowest sugar content, with some varieties containing near-zero sugar.
Brewing Methods Impact Sugar: Sugar content varies significantly based on how the NA beer is brewed; methods like specialized yeasts or vacuum distillation can minimize residual sugar.
NA Beer vs. Regular Beer Sugar: NA beers often have a higher sugar content than regular beers because the sugars aren't fully converted to alcohol during fermentation.
Read the Nutritional Label: Always check the nutritional information on the packaging, as sugar content can vary significantly even within the same brand's product line.
Alternative Brewing Techniques: Techniques like using maltose-negative yeast or cold mashing can help brewers produce low or no-alcohol beer with very low sugar.
Low-Calorie Benefits: Choosing a low-sugar NA beer can also mean choosing a low-calorie option, which is beneficial for weight management.
Taste vs. Sugar: Modern brewing techniques allow for great-tasting, complex NA beers with minimal sugar, proving you don't have to sacrifice flavor for health.

The Low-Down on NA Beer and Sugar

When you opt for a non-alcoholic (NA) beer, it's often with the assumption that it's a healthier alternative to its boozy counterpart. While many NA options are lower in calories, the sugar content can be a hidden surprise. Unlike regular beer, where yeast converts most of the sugar into alcohol, some NA brewing methods leave behind unfermented sugars or add them back in to compensate for the lost flavor profile. This means that the sugar level can vary significantly from one brand to another.

Several factors contribute to the final sugar content of an NA beer:

Brewing method: The process used to remove or limit alcohol, such as vacuum distillation or arrested fermentation, directly influences the amount of residual sugar.
Yeast strain: Some special yeast strains are specifically designed to ferment only simple sugars, leaving more complex sugars behind and resulting in lower alcohol, but potentially higher residual sweetness.
Ingredients: The type of malt and hops used, as well as any added flavorings or fruit, can impact the sugar profile.
Added sweeteners: To enhance taste, some manufacturers add sugar or other sweeteners back into the beer after dealcoholization.

Top Non-Alcoholic Beers with the Lowest Sugar Content

Fortunately, a growing number of brands are prioritizing low or no-sugar recipes to meet consumer demand for healthier options. These brands offer a range of styles while keeping sugar to a minimum.

Brands with Trace or Zero Sugar

Some of the best low-sugar NA beers contain trace amounts or are even completely sugar-free. These are excellent choices for those closely monitoring their sugar intake.

IMPOSSIBREW®: This UK-based brand offers an Enhanced Lager with only 0.1g of sugar per 100ml, making it one of the lowest available. The brand also highlights its low-calorie profile.
Suntory All-Free: This Japanese brand is noted for being one of the most health-conscious NA options, with zero sugar and very low carbs and calories.
Aigua De Moritz: A Spanish lager option, this beer contains zero sugar and just 17kcal per 100ml.
Beck's Blue: A widely available lager, Beck's Blue boasts a very low 0.2g of sugar per 100ml.

Low-Sugar Options with Minimal Content

Other brands consistently provide options with low sugar levels, balancing flavor and health consciousness.

Athletic Brewing Co.: Their popular Run Wild IPA and Upside Dawn Golden Ale have only 1.2g of sugar per 100ml, proving that great taste can coexist with low sugar.
Heineken 0.0: A popular and widely distributed choice, this NA beer has a modest 1.3g of sugar per 100ml.
BrewDog: This craft brewer offers several NA options, including Elvis AF, Hazy AF, and Punk AF, all with very low carb counts, indicating minimal sugar.

Understanding Non-Alcoholic Beer Brewing and Sugar Levels

The disparity in sugar content largely stems from the different brewing techniques used to achieve a non-alcoholic product. Traditional brewing involves full fermentation, where yeast consumes sugars to produce alcohol. NA production must either prevent this from happening or remove the alcohol later.

Methods that Influence Sugar

Arrested Fermentation: This involves stopping the fermentation process early by cooling the beer or filtering out the yeast. While effective at limiting alcohol, it often leaves a significant amount of unfermented sugar behind, leading to a sweeter, maltier flavor.
Specialized Yeast: Some brewers use yeast strains that are incapable of fermenting certain sugars, like maltose. This allows for full fermentation but leaves behind complex sugars, balancing flavor with very little alcohol production.
Vacuum Distillation: This method removes alcohol from a fully fermented beer at a lower temperature, which helps preserve more volatile flavor compounds compared to boiling. It can result in a more complex, less sugary profile.

How to Read Labels and Choose the Right Low-Sugar NA Beer

To confidently choose a low-sugar option, learning to read and interpret nutritional labels is key. The sugar content per serving can differ significantly from the per 100ml measurement, so always check carefully.

Tips for choosing low-sugar NA beer:

Check the 'Sugars' line: Look at the nutritional information to find the 'Sugars' line, which is usually listed under total carbohydrates. This will give you the most accurate number.
Compare per 100ml: To make a fair comparison between different products, focus on the sugar content per 100ml, as serving sizes can vary. Websites like Wise Bartender provide helpful filtering options for low-sugar NA drinks.
Read ingredient lists: Some NA beers use artificial sweeteners to achieve a low-sugar profile. If you prefer natural ingredients, check the label for added sugars or sweeteners.
Try different brands: The best way to find a low-sugar NA beer that you enjoy is to taste a variety of options. Many brands now offer mixed packs or sampler bundles, making it easy to find a new favorite.

Comparison Table: Non-Alcoholic Beers and Their Sugar Content


Brand	Style	Sugar (g per 100ml)	Calories per 100ml
IMPOSSIBREW® Lager	Lager	0.1g	6 kcal
Beck's Blue	Lager	0.2g	14 kcal
Suntory All-Free	Lager	0g	0 kcal
Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA	IPA	1.2g	19 kcal
Heineken 0.0	Lager	1.3g	21 kcal
Guinness 0	Stout	<0.1g	17 kcal

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice

Finding a non-alcoholic beer with low sugar is increasingly simple due to advancements in brewing and growing consumer demand. Brands like IMPOSSIBREW and Athletic Brewing Co. lead the way with innovative techniques that deliver excellent flavor while keeping sugar and calories in check. The key is to be a vigilant consumer: read nutritional labels, understand the different brewing processes, and explore the variety of low-sugar options available. By doing so, you can enjoy a flavorful, low-sugar NA beer that fits seamlessly into a healthy lifestyle without compromise. More information on brands and healthy choices can be found at sources like impossibrew.co.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions

During the dealcoholisation process, flavor can be lost. Brewers sometimes add sugar back to improve taste, or fermentation is stopped before all sugars are converted to alcohol, leaving residual sugar.

No, sugar content varies widely between brands and styles. Some NA beers can be quite high in sugar, while others contain trace amounts or are near-zero.

Yes, some brands, like Aigua De Moritz and Suntory All-Free, are specifically formulated to have zero sugar.

You can find the sugar content on the nutritional information panel on the bottle or can. It is usually listed under the 'Total Carbohydrates' section.

Yes, advancements in brewing technology mean many low-sugar NA beers offer great flavor without a sugary taste. Brewers use a variety of ingredients and techniques to balance the flavor profile.

Replacing higher-calorie alcoholic beverages with a low-sugar, low-calorie NA option can aid in reducing overall calorie intake, which is a key factor in weight management.

Fruity NA beers can often be higher in sugar due to the use of fruit concentrates or added flavorings. However, it is always important to check the specific product's nutritional label, as some brands focus on low-sugar options.