Has it already been an entire month? I know time moves faster as you get older, but man, this last 4+ weeks seemed to be gone in a flash. The transition from outdoor patio beers to indoor basement beers happened almost overnight and while I will miss my sunshine and warm summer breezes, I do enjoy hunkering down in the winter and enjoying all my lazy indoor activities while the wind howls and the snow flies. Soon we will decorate the house once again for Christmas and I'll get that weird nostalgic feeling that challenges my sobriety at the best of times. I used to love to get 4 or 5 beers deep and dive into classic TV specials and holiday movies while reminiscing about how it used to be. Being sober, I find myself more in the present, but when I do cast my mind back, it seems to be in a better light and with less regret. I don't know which way is better, I sure did love that Christmas buzz, but here we are now and I've got another 5 great Non-Alcoholic beer options for you to try as we head to the season of giving.
As always, I had these delivered from our pals over at Designated Drinks. You can get yourself a whole fridge full of great options over on their website https://www.designateddrinks.ca/
In chronological order, here we go :
1. Side Launch Brewing NA Lager (October 4th)
In search of beers that taste like damn beers, I found this latest release from Side Launch and was pleasantly surprised. Once renowned for their to style Wheat, Dark and Pale Ale in the sideways printed cans, Side Launch has taken some swings for the fences in recent years and not always hit the mark. I am happy to report that this lager is a true, simple tasting, clean and crisp half pint that leaves no aftertaste nor has any off flavours. It feels like a macro lager and delivered a fine experience.
Full video here.
2. Refined Fool Brewing Wet Thunder NA Lager (October 9th)
I've long been a fan of Sarnia's Refined Fool. Lots of fun beer names to go along with some pretty solid offerings inside said cans and mix packs that deliver a fun time in every 6'er. Having said that, this non-alcoholic Lager was just the thing on a warm, sunny October afternoon to refresh my spirit and my smile. It was reminiscent of a Molson Canadian, but more refined (Ha), crisp and bitter with no off flavours or aftertaste. Simple and good, it does the job you need and does it well.
Full video here.
3. One for the Road Brewing No Regrets NA
This one was a second go around in 2025 and I think I liked it even more the second time. Full bodied, bready toasted malt body with caramel sweetness and a firm bitterness make for a true marzen style lager, a nod to the fall season with that Oktoberfest feel throughout. It strikes me as a huge compliment when I say a beer doesn't taste not feel like a non-alcoholic option and this one is right up there with the best of them in that regard. Nothing missing, all good in the glass.
Full video here.
4. Lake of the Woods Brewing No Wake NA Blonde Ale (October 23rd)
Harkening back to a classic Ale, think 50 or OV, No Wake came in smooth and bitter with no doubt as to the care and work put into it's creation. At under $2 a can, it's a bargain that delivers far above expectations. Bitter and full with a slight fruitiness, grainy cereal malt body and a feel that is all beer, no filler. I finished a 6 pack without a second thought, it felt like the old days, drinkin' with the old guys and letting the world slide on by.
\Full video here.
5. Sober Carpenter Brewing Scottish Ale (October 31st)
Coming in just under the wire as the trick or treaters hit the streets on Halloween, this ode to the maltier side of life from Sober Carpenter hit the mark from pour to sip to savour. Looking to always find something different, especially in the NA world, Sober Carpenter resembles what Beau's used to be in craft beer, always throwing new stuff into the wild and while not all of them are hits, they sure do keep us trying new things and expanding the non-alcoholic offerings in the world. This one was a bready, toasted malt treat with toffee notes and a solid bitterness, feeling like a full strength offering, made with the classic Fuggle hops and having an old world feel in a new world order. Excited to see what they'll try next.
Full video here.
And of course, we have to have a moment of disappointment or how will we know when we are happy...
1. Eichbaum NA German Lager (October 25th)
I don't know why I keep trying these non-alcoholic Euro Lagers....it's almost pure torture from beginning to end at this point. For every decent one I find, 2 absolutely terrible ones pop up behind it and for some reason I gotta drink 'em all so you don't have to. This wort forward, smokey ashtray laden sweet mess shouldn't be in anyone's glass, it feels like someone hated you enough to try to give you a double vomit beer and watch your discomfort and sadness. I am disgusted now and it's been weeks since I had this awful offering in my glass before it hit the bottom of the toilet...just fuckin' no.
Full video here.
A pretty good month, 20 different new and returning non-alcoholic beers made for a full flavoured and many styles experience and while more than a few are not to appear again in my fridge, there weren't a lot of full on bad pints. The good are getting better and the rest are coming along. Let November begin!
Cheers!
Polk
November 1st, 2025
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