While some people think the question ‘do non alcoholic beers have alcohol?’ seems kind of stupid, the answer is… yes, they do. Despite the name, non-alcoholic beers do contain trace amounts, as we explain here.
For years, non-alcoholic beers have been the go-to choice for those who want to enjoy the taste of a beer, without the consequences of consuming the alcohol itself. Non-alcoholic beers are brewed as an alternative to a more traditional beer and provide people with an option that does not contain significant amounts of alcohol.
Do Non Alcoholic Beers Have Alcohol?
Many people believe that non-alcoholic beers have no alcohol content in them at all. However, this is a misconception as all non-alcoholic beers contain trace amounts of alcohol, as a result of the beer brewing process.
Is There Alcohol In Non Alcoholic Beer? How Much?
As a general rule, to be considered a non-alcoholic beer, it must contain an alcohol level that falls below 0.5% ABV. The actual amount of alcohol that can be found in a non-alcoholic beer will vary depending on the type of beer, and the particular brand. Some types of beer will have negligible traces, while others will fall closer to the 0.5% ABV point. The alcohol content is generally listed on the label of the can or bottle.
What Is ABV?
The manner in which alcohol is measured in a beer is known as ABV. ABV stands for alcohol by volume, and it is a representation of the ratio of alcohol to the volume of the beverage. As a result, a standard alcoholic beer with an ABV of 5%, will contain exactly 5% of pure alcohol in every 100 mL of beverage. To be considered a non-alcoholic beer it must have less than 0.5% ABV.
Source: American Addiction Centers
But Why Do Non Alcoholic Beers Have Alcohol Content?
Fair question, and I agree the name is a bit misleading since non-alcoholic beers do contain alcohol in trace amounts. To understand why non alcoholic beers contain alcohol, you first need to understand the brewing and fermentation process.
Both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beers are manufactured in the same way. The process of brewing non-alcoholic beers begins with malted barley, hops, water, and yeast. All beer is created through the fermentation process as yeast converts sugar into carbon dioxide and ethanol (alcohol). Yeast is a microorganism that eats sugar, and releases ethanol as a waste product (think of it like yeast urine); the more sugar they eat, the more ethanol (alcohol) is released.
Unlike traditional beers, non-alcoholic and low-alcohol brewers utilize a wide array of strategies to minimize the amount of alcohol that is physically produced during this fermentation process and to remove excess alcohol after the process has completed.
To start, different manufacturers use a wide variety of techniques in order to minimize the amount of alcohol that forms within the beer during the fermentation process. One strategy that low-alcohol home beer brewers use (including myself) is to lower the amount of sugar in the brew, so there is less ethanol alcohol produced.
Next, they will also use different methods to remove any excess levels of alcohol left in the batch after the fermentation process. One of the most common ways of removing excess levels of alcohol is through the use of vacuum distillation.
Root Beer and Ginger Ale
Beverages like root beer and ginger ale are very popular throughout North America. Back in the 1800s it was commonplace to brew and ferment the roots in order to add carbonization to the beverage. Unlike traditional beers that use grains such as wheat and barley to create their flavors, the non-alcoholic beverages of the time generally used roots, spices, and herbs. Because of the brewing and fermentation process, these non-alcoholic beverages originally contained trace amounts of alcohol similar to that of non-alcoholic beers.
Other Fermented Drinks
While root beer and ginger ale no longer contain any form of alcohol, there are a wide variety of drinks available around the world that are carbonated through the fermentation process. Drinks like kombucha, ginger beer, and kefir are some of the most popular fermented, non-alcoholic beverages in the world. Remember that all beverages made through a traditional fermentation process will contain trace amounts of alcohol (unless steps are taken to completely remove the alcohol prior to sale), but the quantity is negligible.
Can Non Alcoholic Beer Get You Drunk?
Do non alcoholic beers have alcohol of a sufficient quantity to make you fail a breath test? Due to the trace amounts of alcohol contained in non-alcoholic beers, it is very difficult to get drunk from drinking them. After all, you would have to consume 10 cans of non-alcoholic beer to obtain the same amount of alcohol as a traditional Pilsner. However, for those who have alcohol sensitivities, even non-alcoholic beers can trigger a mild buzz. As always, is important to consume in moderation.
Can Drinking Too Many Non-Alcoholic Beers Cause You to Fail a Breathalyzer Test?
Chances are, that if you have only drunk a few non-alcoholic beers, you will not fail a breathalyzer test. After all, the breathalyzer tests are designed to detect the presence of alcohol on your breath. Due to the low trace amounts of alcohol by volume in non-alcoholic beers, the consumption of a few non-alcoholic beers will not be detected by most devices. However, it is important to remember that some breathalyzers are set up with a lower detection threshold than others, so it is still possible for some devices to trigger a false-positive. After consuming any non-alcoholic beers, it is advisable to wait a reasonable amount of time before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.
Final Answer: Do Non Alcoholic Beers Have Alcohol?
Here’s your final answer to the question ‘Do Non Alcoholic Beers Have Alcohol?’:
Yes, Non Alcoholic Beers do contain alcohol, but only in trace amounts below <0.5% ABV.
This quantity is not sufficient to get you drunk, nor to fail a breathalyzer test in most normal circumstances. Other traditionally fermented carbonated drinks such as ginger ale and kombucha also fall into this category, and may likewise contain traces of alcohol.
Keep in mind that just because they are classed as non-alcoholic or even 0% alcohol does not necessarily mean these beers are safe for alcoholics, for a number of reasons that we explain in our article on the safety of alcohol-free beers and alcoholism.
