Athletic Brewing is the easiest nonalcoholic beer brand to recommend if you want both big flavor and lots of choice. It is not always the single best in every style. Guinness 0 wins if you want stout drama. Heineken 0.0 wins if you want a crisp stadium lager. But Athletic gives you the deepest bench. It was also ranked among the top U.S. craft brewing companies by the Brewers Association, which says a lot for a brand with beers under 0.5% ABV [source: Brewers Association].
TLDR: Athletic Brewing is the best pick for most people because it has more flavors than the usual nonalcoholic beer aisle. A simple example: for a 12 can party cooler, you could stock 4 Run Wild IPAs, 4 Upside Dawn Golden Ales, and 4 Free Wave Hazy IPAs, and most guests would find something they like. If you only want one “beer flavored beer,” Heineken 0.0 or Stella 0.0 may be easier. If you want variety, Athletic wins by a clear margin.
The quick flavor verdict
Athletic Brewing tastes less like an apology and more like real craft beer. That sounds silly. But you know the problem. Some nonalcoholic beers taste thin, sweet, or weirdly grassy. You take a sip and think, “Ah. This is why people make jokes.”
Athletic avoids that trap better than most. Its beers have hop aroma, body, and style cues. Run Wild tastes like a proper West Coast style IPA. Free Wave leans softer and fruitier. Upside Dawn is crisp and easy. All Out brings roast and coffee notes.
Is every can perfect? No. Some hoppy cans fade if they sit too long. That is not just Athletic. It happens with many hop forward beers. Still, Athletic usually gives you a fresher, fuller sip than the basic grocery shelf crowd.
Athletic vs Heineken 0.0
Heineken 0.0 is clean, bright, and very easy to understand. It tastes like Heineken, minus the buzz. That is its superpower.
It is great for:
- Cookouts
- Sports bars
- People who like pale lager
- Anyone who does not want “craft beer stuff”
But variety is limited. You are here for one main experience. It does that job well. Athletic, though, gives you more moods. IPA. Golden ale. Dark beer. Light beer. Cerveza. Hazy IPA. Limited releases. It is more fun if your fridge has room for more than one personality.
Winner for crisp lager taste: Heineken 0.0.
Winner for flavor range: Athletic Brewing.
Athletic vs Guinness 0
Guinness 0 is one of the best nonalcoholic beers on the market. Full stop. It has the creamy head. It has the roast. It has that cozy pub feel. Pour it into a glass and it feels like an event.
Athletic’s All Out Extra Dark is tasty. It has coffee and chocolate notes. But Guinness 0 has a more iconic stout texture. The nitrogen effect helps a lot.
The catch is simple. Guinness 0 is mostly for one craving. Athletic covers more cravings. If you want stout night, grab Guinness 0. If you want a mixed case for the week, Athletic is the safer cart.
Winner for stout: Guinness 0.
Winner for mixed drinking: Athletic Brewing.
Athletic vs Clausthaler
Clausthaler helped build the nonalcoholic beer category. It is common, affordable, and easy to find. The original has a malty taste. Some people love that. Others find it a little sweet.
Clausthaler Dry Hopped is more exciting. It adds aroma and bite. Still, the lineup feels smaller next to Athletic. Athletic also feels more modern. The cans look fresh. The flavors sound like what craft drinkers already buy.
Honestly, it feels like some older nonalcoholic brands are still trying to convince you they are “not bad.” Athletic tries to be enjoyable first. That is a big mental shift.
Winner for old school malt flavor: Clausthaler.
Winner for craft style flavor: Athletic Brewing.
Athletic vs Partake
Partake is a smart choice if you care about calories. Many Partake beers are very low calorie. That is a real benefit. If you want something light after a run, it makes sense.
But body can be the tradeoff. Some Partake beers taste thinner than Athletic. Not bad. Just lighter. Athletic usually feels more like a full beer in the mouth.
Pick Partake if you want the lightest option. Pick Athletic if you want a fuller sip.
Winner for low calorie sipping: Partake.
Winner for fuller flavor: Athletic Brewing.
Athletic vs BrewDog Alcohol Free
BrewDog makes bold nonalcoholic beers. Punk AF and Hazy AF have real hop character. They can be fun and sharp. If you like bitter, edgy beers, BrewDog may hit the spot.
Athletic feels rounder. It is often less aggressive. That makes it easier to share. Your IPA friend may enjoy BrewDog. Your mixed group may do better with Athletic.
There is also a smoothness issue. Some BrewDog cans can taste a bit thin after the first cold sip warms up. Athletic handles that better in many styles.
Winner for punchy hop attitude: BrewDog.
Winner for balance: Athletic Brewing.
Athletic vs Best Day Brewing
Best Day Brewing is one of Athletic’s strongest rivals. Its Kölsch is clean. Its West Coast IPA is sharp. Its Hazy IPA is juicy. The branding is sunny and relaxed.
This is not an easy win for Athletic. Best Day can taste very polished. If you prefer a lighter, cleaner craft style, Best Day may be your favorite.
Athletic still wins on sheer rotation. Its online shop often features core beers, seasonal beers, and limited drops across several styles [source: Athletic Brewing]. That keeps the fridge from getting boring.
Winner for clean craft refreshment: Best Day Brewing.
Winner for more style choices: Athletic Brewing.
Where Athletic really shines
Athletic is best when you want options without homework. You do not need to study beer forums. You can grab a mixed pack and be fine.
Its biggest strengths are:
- IPAs that taste like IPAs. Run Wild and Free Wave are strong starters.
- Good everyday beers. Upside Dawn works with pizza, tacos, and porch sitting.
- Seasonal variety. Limited releases make the brand feel less repetitive.
- Better craft feel. The aroma and body beat many mass market picks.
- Easy gifting. A mixed pack feels thoughtful, not random.
Where Athletic can annoy you
Athletic is not magic. Some styles are stronger than others. The IPAs usually lead the pack. The lighter beers can feel less distinct. If you expect a perfect clone of your favorite 7% IPA, you may be let down.
Price can also sting. Athletic often costs more than basic lager style nonalcoholic beer. If your plan is to crush six cans during a game, the bill adds up fast. It drives me crazy when a “simple” fridge restock suddenly looks like a craft beer receipt.
Freshness matters too. Hoppy nonalcoholic beer is best cold and fresh. Buy from stores with good turnover. Check dates when you can.
Best picks by drinker type
- The IPA fan: Start with Athletic Run Wild or Free Wave.
- The lager loyalist: Try Heineken 0.0 first.
- The stout lover: Choose Guinness 0.
- The calorie counter: Try Partake.
- The clean craft fan: Try Best Day Kölsch.
- The variety seeker: Buy an Athletic mixed pack.
Final pour
Athletic Brewing is the best all around nonalcoholic beer brand for flavor and variety. Other brands beat it in specific lanes. Guinness 0 owns the stout moment. Heineken 0.0 nails the familiar lager. Partake wins when calories are the main issue.
But Athletic is the brand I would hand to someone who says, “I want nonalcoholic beer, but I do not want sad beer.” It gives you real choice. It tastes like it was made by people who enjoy beer. Best of all, it makes skipping alcohol feel less like a penalty and more like a normal Tuesday.