Planning a group outing to a brewery can be tricky when not everyone in your crew drinks alcohol. No one wants to be the person stuck with a boring glass of water while their friends explore a menu of exciting craft beers. Thankfully, the taproom experience is changing for the better. More breweries are recognizing that a great social hub needs great options for everyone. This means building out thoughtful non-alcoholic menus with drinks that are just as creative and delicious as their alcoholic counterparts. This guide is for anyone looking for a brewery with non-alcoholic options that will make every single person in your group feel welcome and catered to.

Key Takeaways

• Quality non-alcoholic drinks are the new normal: Breweries now use advanced techniques to create flavorful NA beers, hop waters, and sodas that stand up to their alcoholic counterparts, so you don’t have to compromise on taste.
• A great NA menu signals a great brewery: Thoughtful non-alcoholic options show a brewery is committed to an inclusive atmosphere, making it a better destination for any group outing.
• Find your new favorite with a little prep: A quick look at a brewery’s online menu or a call ahead can confirm their NA selection, but don’t forget to ask the staff for their top recommendations when you arrive.

What Can You Drink at a Brewery Besides Beer?

Going to a brewery is about the experience: the lively atmosphere, the good company, and the shared appreciation for craft. But what if you’re not in the mood for beer? Maybe you’re the designated driver, taking a break from alcohol, or you just prefer something different. The great news is that brewery menus have expanded far beyond beer. Modern breweries understand that offering a variety of thoughtful, well-crafted drinks makes the taproom a more welcoming place for everyone.

From crisp, non-alcoholic IPAs that taste just like the real thing to sparkling hop waters and house-made sodas, the options are better than ever. It’s no longer about settling for a flat fountain soda or plain water. Breweries are now applying the same creativity and commitment to quality that they bring to their beer to a full range of non-alcoholic beverages. So, the next time you visit, you can expect to find a drink menu that’s as diverse and interesting as the crowd you’ll find there.

Non-Alcoholic Beers and Craft Alternatives

If you love the taste of beer but not the alcohol, you’re in luck. Non-alcoholic (NA) beer has come a long way from the watery, flavorless options of the past. Brewers used to make NA beer by stripping the alcohol out, which unfortunately took most of the flavor with it. Today, advanced brewing methods allow them to preserve the rich malt body and aromatic hop character we love. In fact, many modern NA beers are so robust that in blind taste tests, it’s getting harder to tell the difference. You can now find excellent NA versions of IPAs, stouts, and lagers that deliver a satisfying craft experience.

Hop Waters and Sparkling Beverages

For a light, refreshing, and totally unique non-alcoholic option, look no further than hop water. This drink is exactly what it sounds like: sparkling water infused with the complex, aromatic flavors of hops. It’s a fantastic choice if you want something crisp and bubbly without any sugar, calories, or alcohol. Here at Bissell Brothers, we make Bissell Bubbles, a hop water that gets its bright, citrusy flavor from Mosaic and Citra hops. We use water from Maine’s Sebago Lake, which gives it an incredibly clean and refreshing finish. It’s the perfect palate cleanser or a great standalone drink on a warm day.

Creative Mocktails and House-Made Sodas

Breweries are hubs of creativity, and that spirit often extends to their entire drink menu. Many taprooms now offer a rotating selection of creative mocktails and house-made sodas that go far beyond the standard fare. Think sodas made with real fruit purées, herbs, and spices, or mocktails that balance sweet, sour, and bitter notes just as thoughtfully as a craft cocktail. These drinks provide a sophisticated, alcohol-free experience that feels special. It’s a sign that a brewery cares about every guest, ensuring there’s a delicious, handcrafted option for anyone who walks through the door, regardless of what they’re drinking.

Kombucha and Other Fermented Drinks

It makes perfect sense for breweries—masters of fermentation—to offer other fermented drinks like kombucha. This bubbly, fermented tea has a unique tangy flavor and is packed with probiotics. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for something with a little complexity that isn’t beer. The popularity of kombucha and other interesting non-alcoholic beverages is on the rise, with sales of non-alcoholic drinks growing steadily. By offering these options, breweries can cater to a wider range of tastes and preferences, making the taproom a true community gathering spot where everyone can find something they enjoy.

Why Are More Breweries Offering Non-Alcoholic Drinks?

Have you noticed that brewery tap lists are starting to look a little different? Alongside the hazy IPAs and rich stouts, you’re now seeing creative non-alcoholic (NA) options that go way beyond a simple can of soda. This isn’t a fleeting trend; it’s a thoughtful shift in how breweries see their role in the community. They’re evolving from places that just serve beer into vibrant social hubs where everyone can find something to enjoy.

This change is driven by a few key factors. First, more people are paying close attention to their health and wellness, looking for delicious alternatives that fit their lifestyle. Second, breweries are recognizing the importance of creating a truly inclusive space where every guest feels welcome, regardless of what’s in their glass. And finally, offering a solid NA lineup is just smart business—it opens the door to new customers and new occasions. It’s a win-win that makes the brewery experience better for everyone.

To Welcome Health-Conscious Guests

It’s no secret that people are more mindful than ever about what they eat and drink. This doesn’t mean giving up on social outings; it just means wanting better choices. Breweries are listening. By adding high-quality NA beers, hop waters, and house-made sodas to their menus, they’re meeting a real demand.

Offering these options shows that a brewery cares about the customer experience for all its guests. It positions the establishment as a forward-thinking spot for anyone looking for healthier alternatives without sacrificing flavor or the fun of visiting a taproom. It’s about providing balance and giving people the freedom to choose what works for them on any given day.

To Create a More Inclusive Vibe

Think about the last time you got a group together. Chances are, not everyone wanted to drink alcohol. Whether it’s the designated driver, a pregnant friend, or someone just taking a night off, nobody wants to be stuck with a boring glass of water. A great NA menu ensures that every single person feels like a part of the experience.

This is about more than just having one token option; it’s about fostering a welcoming atmosphere. When a brewery invests in a diverse NA program, it sends a clear message: we want you here. As more consumers are discovering new occasions to enjoy craft beverages, breweries that cater to a wider audience are the ones that will become true community cornerstones.

To Open Up New Business Opportunities

While creating an inclusive space is a huge motivator, offering NA drinks is also a savvy business move. A well-crafted NA menu can attract customers who might have previously skipped a brewery visit. It also encourages groups to stay longer and spend more, since everyone has something they can enjoy for another round.

The numbers back this up. Studies show a significant market opportunity for breweries that expand their offerings, with sales growth for non-alcoholic beverages often outpacing their alcoholic counterparts. By tapping into this demand, breweries can build a more resilient business, appeal to a broader demographic, and find new ways to share their passion for great flavors with more people.

Breweries That Nail Their Non-Alcoholic Menus

It’s one thing to have a single non-alcoholic option tucked away at the bottom of the menu; it’s another to build a thoughtful, creative program. Some breweries are truly leading the charge, proving that delicious, complex drinks don’t need alcohol to be satisfying. From dedicated NA breweries to craft pioneers who have expanded their lineups, here are a few places that are getting it right.

Bissell Brothers Brewing Company

We believe everyone who walks through our doors deserves a fantastic drink, which is why we’ve put so much care into our non-alcoholic menu. We wanted to create options that stand on their own, offering the same complexity and refreshment you’d expect from our beers. Our lineup includes Bissell Bubbles, our line of sparkling beverages, as well as Bissell Fizz (our house seltzer) and Bissell Breeze (our hop water). These aren’t just afterthoughts; they’re crafted to provide flavorful, exciting alternatives for any guest, any time. Whether you’re the designated driver or just taking a night off, you’ll find something you genuinely want to drink.

Athletic Brewing Company

Athletic Brewing has completely changed the game for non-alcoholic beer. They’ve built their entire brand around the idea that you shouldn’t have to sacrifice great taste to skip the alcohol. Based in Connecticut and California, they are true pioneers, offering an impressive variety of NA beers that cover just about every style imaginable. We’re talking IPAs, golden ales, sours, and dark beers that are so well-crafted, you’ll be genuinely surprised they’re non-alcoholic. They’ve shown that NA beer can be just as innovative and satisfying as its alcoholic counterpart, and they’ve built a huge following by doing it right.

WellBeing Brewing

Another brewery dedicated entirely to the non-alcoholic craft is WellBeing Brewing out of Missouri. Their mission is simple: create great-tasting, non-alcoholic craft beers that everyone can enjoy. They focus on crafting brews that deliver a full-flavored experience, with options that cater to a wide range of palates. From a traditional amber to a citrus wheat, WellBeing Brewing proves that non-alcoholic beer can be both classic and delicious. They understand that people choose NA for many reasons, and they’ve created a lineup that supports a healthier, more mindful way of enjoying a good brew.

BrewDog and Other Trailblazers

It’s not just dedicated NA breweries making waves. Major players in the craft beer world, like BrewDog, have made a serious commitment to non-alcoholic options. They’ve invested heavily in creating NA versions of their flagship beers that maintain the bold flavors the brand is known for. This trend is catching on across the industry, with more and more craft breweries producing high-quality non-alcoholic beers. The technology and techniques have improved so much that many of these brews are incredibly close to the real thing in taste and body, giving you more fantastic choices than ever before.

How Does Non-Alcoholic Beer Stack Up to the Real Thing?

If you’ve ever been hesitant to try a non-alcoholic beer, you’re not alone. For years, NA options were known for being thin, watery, and a pale imitation of the real thing. But that reputation is officially outdated. Thanks to some serious innovation in the brewing world, today’s non-alcoholic beers are crafted to deliver the full-flavored experience you’d expect from your favorite brewery. The goal is no longer just to remove the alcohol; it’s to create a genuinely satisfying beer that stands on its own. So, if you’re curious about what makes modern NA beer so good, let’s get into how it’s made and what you can expect.

How Brewers Preserve the Flavor

The biggest change in non-alcoholic beer has been the brewing process itself. In the past, brewers would typically make a standard alcoholic beer and then remove the alcohol, often by heating it. The problem? This method stripped away not just the alcohol but also most of the delicate aromas and flavors that make beer great. Today, brewers use much more sophisticated modern techniques that protect the beer’s character. These methods, like vacuum distillation or arrested fermentation, allow brewers to preserve the rich malt body, bright hop notes, and complex aromas. The result is a non-alcoholic beer that actually tastes like beer.

What to Expect from the Taste and Ingredients

Because modern NA beers are brewed with care, their taste is impressively close to traditional craft beer. In fact, it’s getting harder and harder to tell the difference, with some NA beers even holding their own in blind taste tests. At their core, they’re made from the same four essential ingredients: water, malt, hops, and yeast. This shared foundation is why they can achieve that familiar, satisfying flavor profile. It’s worth noting that some brands might add a little extra sugar to round out the body, so it’s always a good idea to check the label if that’s a concern for you. But options like our own Bissell Breeze prove you can get incredible flavor without compromise.

How to Read the Labels

When you’re exploring non-alcoholic options, the terminology on the label is important. In the U.S., “non-alcoholic” means the beer contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), while “alcohol-free” means it has 0.0% ABV. That small difference can be significant depending on your personal preferences and health goals. Checking the label helps you make an informed choice that feels right for you. For many people, switching to NA beer is a great way to moderate their intake and stick to low-risk drinking guidelines without having to skip out on a brewery visit with friends.

How to Choose a Great Non-Alcoholic Drink

When you’re ready to try a non-alcoholic drink, it helps to know what to look for. The quality and variety of NA options have exploded, and finding a great one is easier than ever. Just like with craft beer, paying attention to a few key details can help you pick a beverage you’ll genuinely enjoy. Let’s walk through a few simple things to keep in mind.

Check the Alcohol Content

First things first, it’s important to know that “non-alcoholic” doesn’t always mean zero alcohol. In the United States, beverages can be labeled non-alcoholic as long as they contain less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). This trace amount is a byproduct of the brewing process, where yeast is used to create flavor but is stopped before it produces significant alcohol.

For most people, 0.5% ABV is negligible. But if you’re avoiding alcohol entirely for health, personal, or religious reasons, you’ll want to look for options that are explicitly labeled 0.0% ABV. Always check the can or ask your server if you want to be certain.

Look for Flavor Variety

Gone are the days when the only NA option was a single, uninspired lager. Today’s breweries are crafting non-alcoholic drinks with the same creativity and attention to detail as their flagship beers. You can now find everything from hazy IPAs and rich stouts to fruited sours, all without the alcohol. The best NA programs offer a range of choices that prove you don’t have to sacrifice flavor.

Modern non-alcoholic beers have become so convincing that it’s often hard to tell the difference in a side-by-side comparison. We believe in giving everyone at the table a fantastic drink, which is why we developed our own line of hop-infused sparkling waters, Bissell Bubbles, to provide a crisp, refreshing, and complex alternative.

Prioritize Natural Ingredients

The best non-alcoholic drinks are made with high-quality, natural ingredients. Just as you would with a craft beer, take a look at what’s inside. Drinks made with real fruit purees, premium hops, and natural botanicals will almost always have a more authentic and satisfying taste than those relying on artificial flavors.

Natural ingredients give a drink character and a genuine craft feel. While artificial flavors can create consistency, they can sometimes taste one-dimensional. When you choose a drink made with real ingredients, you’re getting a product that the brewer has thoughtfully developed from start to finish. It’s a philosophy we apply to everything we make, including our non-alcoholic seltzer, Bissell Breeze.

How to Find a Brewery with Great NA Options

Finding a brewery that truly has something for everyone in your crew can feel like hitting the jackpot. Gone are the days when non-drinkers were stuck with just water or a flat soda. More and more breweries are putting real thought and craft into their non-alcoholic offerings, making the taproom a genuinely welcoming place for all. But since not every brewery is there yet, a little planning can go a long way. A few simple steps can help you find a spot that will impress both the beer lovers and the non-drinkers in your group, ensuring nobody feels like an afterthought. It’s all about knowing where to look and what to ask.

Check Menus and Reviews Online

Your first move should be a quick digital recon mission. Before you even leave the house, hop online and check out the brewery’s website. Most breweries keep an updated tap list that includes their full range of beverages, from flagship IPAs to NA options. Our preorder menu, for example, shows you exactly what we’re pouring. Beyond the official site, check out recent Google or Yelp reviews, and don’t underestimate the power of a quick search on Reddit. You’ll often find threads where locals are discussing the best spots for NA drinks, giving you honest, real-world feedback.

Call Ahead to Confirm What’s on Tap

If a brewery’s online menu seems out of date or lacks detail, your next best step is to just give them a call. Tap lists, especially for seasonal or small-batch creations, can change quickly. A two-minute phone call is the most reliable way to confirm what’s actually pouring and avoid any disappointment when you arrive. This is also a great chance to ask specific questions. You can find out if they have any NA IPAs, sours, or just sparkling hop water. The person who answers will have the most current information and can tell you exactly what to expect. You can always find a brewery’s phone number on their contact page.

Ask the Staff for Their Recommendations

Once you’ve arrived, your best resource is the person behind the bar. The staff live and breathe the menu, and they can guide you to a fantastic choice you might have otherwise overlooked. Don’t hesitate to ask them what they recommend. They can describe the flavor profiles of their NA beers or hop waters in detail. Plus, many bartenders at breweries with great NA programs are happy to get creative. Even if a mocktail isn’t explicitly listed on the menu, they can often whip something up using house-made syrups and sodas. This is where a brewery’s commitment to a great customer experience really shines through.

What Separates a Good NA Program from a Great One?

It’s one thing to have a non-alcoholic option on the menu; it’s another to build a program that feels just as intentional and exciting as the main beer list. The breweries that get it right don’t treat their NA drinks as an afterthought. Instead, they pour the same passion and creativity into them as they do their flagship IPAs. When a brewery applies its craft philosophy to everything it makes, you can feel the difference. It shows they’re committed to creating an amazing experience for every single person who walks through the door, regardless of what they’re drinking. So, what really makes the difference? It comes down to a few key things: a serious commitment to quality, a menu that sparks curiosity, and a team that makes everyone feel welcome.

A Clear Commitment to Quality

You can immediately tell when a brewery cares about its non-alcoholic drinks by looking at the ingredient list. A great NA program starts with the same foundation as great beer: high-quality, carefully sourced ingredients. For example, our Bissell Bubbles hop water is made with water from Maine’s Sebago Lake, which is one of the cleanest drinking water sources around. We don’t cut corners. This dedication to quality means you get a crisp, clean, and refreshing drink every time. It’s a simple philosophy: if you start with the best, you end up with the best, whether there’s alcohol involved or not.

A Creative and Diverse Menu

A truly exceptional non-alcoholic menu goes beyond a single, lonely NA beer. It offers a variety of creative options that appeal to different tastes. Think about what makes a beer menu exciting—it’s the range of styles and flavor profiles. The same should be true for NA drinks. By using Mosaic and Citra hops in our sparkling hop water, we created a beverage with a bright, satisfying flavor that stands on its own. A great program ensures there’s something for every palate, making the brewery a place where everyone can discover a new favorite and feel included in the craft experience.

A Knowledgeable and Helpful Team

The final piece of the puzzle is a team that’s as enthusiastic about the non-alcoholic options as they are about the beer. Nothing beats getting a great recommendation from someone who knows the menu inside and out. Our staff is always ready to help you find the perfect drink for your mood, answer your questions, and make you feel right at home. When the team is genuinely excited about the entire menu, it transforms the experience. It creates a welcoming, supportive vibe that reflects who we are about as a company and lets you know you’re in the right place, no matter what you’re drinking.

How Non-Alcoholic Drinks Are Changing the Brewery Experience

The modern brewery is so much more than a place to grab a pint. It’s a neighborhood hangout, a spot for a first date, a family-friendly lunch destination, and a place to catch up with old friends. As breweries evolve into these versatile community spaces, their menus are changing, too. The rise of high-quality, delicious non-alcoholic (NA) options is one of the biggest shifts, and it’s making the brewery experience better for everyone.

By expanding their offerings beyond beer, breweries are creating a more welcoming and dynamic environment. It’s a change that acknowledges that people visit for many reasons—the food, the atmosphere, the company—and not always just for the alcohol. Thoughtfully crafted NA drinks ensure that every single person who walks through the door has something special to enjoy, transforming the taproom into a truly inclusive gathering place. This shift isn’t just about adding a few cans of soda to the fridge; it’s about applying the same creativity and commitment to quality to non-alcoholic beverages as to craft beer.

Welcoming More People Through the Door

Think about all the reasons someone might not be drinking alcohol on any given day. They could be the designated driver, pregnant, training for a marathon, or simply choosing to cut back. In the past, their options at a brewery were often limited to water or a generic soda. By offering a solid lineup of NA options, breweries send a clear message: you belong here, too. This simple act of inclusion can completely change the dynamic of a social outing.

Providing great NA choices helps enhance the customer’s experience and meets a growing demand for healthier alternatives. When a brewery offers something like a crisp, flavorful hop water or a complex sparkling beverage like Bissell Bubbles, it shows they care about every guest’s experience. It makes the brewery a viable option for a wider range of people and social situations, from work lunches to family gatherings.

Giving Everyone a Reason to Stay Longer

When everyone in a group has a drink they genuinely enjoy, they’re more likely to stick around for another round, order some food, and enjoy the atmosphere. A great NA menu gives people a reason to stay and socialize, rather than feeling like an afterthought. It puts everyone on equal footing, whether they’re sipping a double IPA or a craft-brewed NA seltzer. This is especially important as more people seek out non-alcoholic alternatives when they go out.

This isn’t just a feeling; recent trends show that non-alcoholic drink sales are growing quickly. When someone can pair their meal from the Kitchen with a thoughtfully made NA beverage, they feel more included in the full brewery experience. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference, turning a quick stop into a longer, more memorable visit for the whole group.

Making Breweries True Community Hubs

At its heart, a brewery should be a reflection of its community. A focused commitment to community means creating a space where neighbors can connect. Offering non-alcoholic drinks is a powerful way to put that value into practice. It broadens the definition of who the brewery is for, making it a true gathering place for everyone, regardless of their drinking preferences. This inclusivity strengthens the brewery’s role as a central hub in the local scene.

When a brewery invests in a diverse beverage program, it’s investing in the community itself. It’s a way of saying that the experience is about more than just beer—it’s about shared moments, conversations, and connections. This approach aligns perfectly with a mission of supporting local agriculture, sustainability, and partnerships, as it ensures the space is welcoming to all community members who share those values.

What’s Next for Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Breweries?

The non-alcoholic movement in breweries is much more than a passing trend; it’s a fundamental shift in how we think about social drinking and taproom culture. Gone are the days when your only non-alcoholic choice was a lonely can of soda. Today, breweries are putting the same passion and creativity into their NA offerings as they do their flagship ales. This evolution is being driven by a perfect storm of factors: incredible advances in brewing technology, a growing chorus of customer demand for quality alternatives, and a craft-driven desire to offer a wider, more interesting menu. The future of non-alcoholic drinks isn’t just about providing an option—it’s about creating an experience that stands on its own.

Better Brewing and Bolder Flavors

Let’s be honest: early non-alcoholic beers often left a lot to be desired. They were frequently thin, sweet, and a pale imitation of the real thing. But that’s all changing. Thanks to huge leaps in brewing science, the quality of NA beer has skyrocketed. Brewers are using newer methods, like special yeasts that don’t produce much alcohol, to preserve the rich malt body and bright hop character we love. The result is a non-alcoholic beer that tastes, smells, and feels like a genuine craft brew. In fact, many modern NA beers are so convincing that they hold their own in blind taste tests against their alcoholic counterparts.

More Demand from Customers

Breweries are businesses, and they listen to what their customers want. And right now, customers want great non-alcoholic options. The demand for mindful drinking choices is on the rise, whether people are sober-curious, training for a marathon, or simply want to enjoy a night out without the buzz. Sales of non-alcoholic drinks continue to grow at a faster pace than alcoholic ones, signaling a major shift in consumer habits. By offering a thoughtful NA menu, breweries can create a more welcoming and inclusive space where everyone in the group, from the designated driver to the beer aficionado, can find something they’re excited to drink.

A Wider Variety of Styles and Seasonals

The creativity of the craft beer world is finally spilling over into the non-alcoholic space. You’re no longer stuck with a single, generic NA lager. Breweries are now crafting a whole spectrum of styles, including hazy IPAs, rich stouts, and tangy sours—all without the alcohol. This expansion also includes other inventive drinks like our own Bissell Breeze hop water, which offers a crisp, refreshing alternative. Just like with traditional beer, we’re also seeing more seasonal and limited-edition NA releases. This variety ensures that choosing a non-alcoholic drink doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor, complexity, or the fun of trying something new.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m not a beer fan, but my friends are. Will I be stuck drinking water at a brewery? Absolutely not. These days, a great brewery is about more than just beer. You can expect to find a thoughtful menu of non-alcoholic options that are just as creative as the IPAs. Many places now offer things like sparkling hop waters, house-made sodas with real fruit, and even complex mocktails. The goal is to make sure everyone has a delicious, well-crafted drink in their hand.

Does non-alcoholic beer actually taste like real beer now? Yes, it really does. The watery, flavorless non-alcoholic beers of the past are officially a thing of the past. Brewers now use advanced techniques that preserve the rich malt body and aromatic hop character you’d find in a traditional craft beer. They’re made with the same quality ingredients, and in a side-by-side comparison, it’s often hard to tell the difference.

What’s the difference between a “non-alcoholic” and an “alcohol-free” drink? This is a great question because the distinction is important. In the U.S., a beverage labeled “non-alcoholic” can contain up to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). This is a trace amount that most people don’t notice. A drink labeled “alcohol-free,” however, must contain 0.0% ABV. If you’re avoiding alcohol completely for any reason, you’ll want to look for that 0.0% label.

Why should I care about a brewery’s NA menu if I drink beer? A strong non-alcoholic menu is a sign of a great brewery overall. It shows they’re committed to creating a welcoming space for everyone, including designated drivers or friends who are taking a night off. When everyone in your group has something they genuinely enjoy, you’re more likely to stay for another round or grab a bite to eat. It turns the brewery into a true community hub where anyone can have a great time.

Besides checking the menu online, what’s the best way to know if a brewery’s NA options are actually good? Look for creativity and quality ingredients. A brewery that puts real thought into its NA program will offer a variety of interesting options, not just a single generic choice. When you arrive, talk to the staff. If they can enthusiastically describe the flavor profile of their hop water or recommend a favorite mocktail, it’s a clear sign that the non-alcoholic drinks are treated with the same care and respect as the beer.