DAMPUARY
What to drink when you're not drinking
Honest reviews of low- and no- alcohol beers.
Why suffer through dry-January or dry-July, when you can enjoy Dampuary all year round?
BEERS
american pale ale
Infinite Session - London E20, UK
Apa
APA
0.0%
No nose on this beer. Distinct "burnt toast" flavour, and quite watery. Very little flavour, no hops to speak of. Not a strong entry.
(2 / 5)
farmhouse (etc)
Mikkeller Brewing Co., - Copenhagen, Denmark
Henry and his science
Flemish primitive
0.3%
Regrettably I misplaced my notes for this beer. My one memory of it is "sad" - I do not recall the characteristic passion-fruit which is the raison d'etre of the style.
(2 / 5)
india pale ale
Beavertown Brewery, N17 9QP
Lazer Crush
IPA
0.3%
Quite sweet on the nose and at the front of the palate. Little to no hop character on the nose; a tiny bit at the back of the mouth.
(1 / 5)
Big Drop Brewing Co. - Ipswich, UK
Citra ipa
IPA
0.5%
Great hop taste, long lasting and lingers on the roof of the mouth and the back of the throat. A tasty brew.
(4 / 5)
Big Drop Brewing Co. - Ipswich, UK
Poolside
DDH IPA
0.5%
Lives up to the ddh (double dry hopped) moniker. Strong hop character throughout. Well balanced with malt sweetness.
(4 / 5)
Brewdog - Ellon, Scotland
Punk af
IPA
0.5%
A decent improvement on Nanny State. Middling hop character, and subtle malt.
(2 / 5)
(4 / 5)
Brutal Brewing - Vårby , Sweden
A ship full of ipa
IPA
0.0%
Quite delicious. Great hop taste. Aromatic. Lingers on the palate. Rich golden colour.
Coast Beer Co - Edinburgh, Scotland
Ipa
IPA
0.0%
Amazing hop character. Not much on the nose but intense roof of the mouth hop feel. This is a very good beer (although it's almost more of a pale ale).
(4 / 5)
Coast Beer Co - Edinburgh, Scotland
Hazy IPA
IPA
0.0%
Great nose, strong hop smell. Somewhat hazy but lacking the punch of its alcoholic cousin. Fruity overtones - almost a peach or apricot. Has the mouth feel of a sour beer but not sour tasting. Malt is hard to get to grips with but is there in the background.
(3 / 5)
Drop Bear Beer Co - Swansea, Wales
Tropical ipa
IPA
0.3%
What a nose! Like a tropical fruit salad. The flavour does not quite live up to the nose - hops being the overriding taste that comes out. But there is a touch of fruit at the back of the mouth at the end. Lovely colour too.
(3 / 5)
Infinite Session - London E20, UK
Ipa
IPA
0.0%
Bit low on hop flavour. Drinkable but not the best. Very subtle on the nose. Decent baseline but not amazing.
(2 / 5)
Infinite Session - London E20, UK
Stay home ipa
IPA
0.0%
Pretty tasty. Decent hop character but not exactly busting with flavour.
(3 / 5)
Insel Brauerei - Rambin, Germany
Snorkelers sea salt ipa
IPA
0.5%
Great nose. Wonderful dark golden colour. Nice malt character. Decent hop flavour. Sits well at the back of the throat. Definite touch of the advertised salt but not too much so as to be the dominant feature.
(4 / 5)
Hammerton Brewery - London N7, UK
Little ant
IPA
3.4%
A very juicy IPA. Mosaic hops leap out of the can and into your mouth. Wonderful mouth feel. Cheating a little as it is at the top end of "low- or no- alcohol", but we all deserve a treat.
(4 / 5)
Mikkeller Brewing Co., - Copenhagen, Denmark
Weird weather
IPA
0.3%
Great nose - smells just like a "full fat" ipa. Nice colour. Subtle malt and hops on the tongue.
(4 / 5)
Põhjala Brewery - Tallinn, Estonia
Tundra
IPA
0.5%
Fantastic nose - alluring notes of citrus. Flavour does not quite live up to the promise. Slight resin spruce flavour which is interesting. Subtle malt. Nice hops at the back of the mouth.
(4 / 5)
Tiny Rebel - Newport, Wales
CLWB Tropical
IPA
0.5%
Nice tropical smell. Crisp on the palate but you would almost think this was a lager if it was not for the malt sweetness. Hint of mandarin but quite weak.
(2 / 5)
Signature Brew - London E17, UK
Unplugged
IPA
2.8%
For 2.8%, I was expecting a lot more flavour. This beer is very light on both hops and malt. Drink a Kernel Table Beer instead.
(2 / 5)
Uwe Brewing - Hamburg, Germany
Ipa
IPA
0.0%
Far, far, far too sweet. No hop character at all.
(2 / 5)
lager
Big Drop Brewing Co. - Ipswich, UK
Komada
Lager (IPL)
0.5%
Golden hue leaps from the glass and into your mouth. This crisp lager has a hint of hops at the back of the palate. An excellent lager.
(4 / 5)
Big Drop Brewing Co. - Ipswich, UK
Uptown craft lager
Lager
0.5%
Very refreshing, with light hop character and classic lager texture. A little light in the finish. A real thirst quencher. You would have a hard time guessing this was low-alcohol.
(3 / 5)
Brooklyn Brewery - Brooklyn, NY
Special effects
Lager
0.4%
Nice on the nose, with reasonable hop character (and so fair to call it a "hoppy lager"). Smooth mouth feel and light on the malt, in classic lager style.
(2 / 5)
Carlsberg - Copenhagen, Denmark
Lager
Lager
0.0%
On the nose, you know immediately that this is a lager. Actually does a reasonable job of replicating that original Carlsberg taste (albeit one that I have never cared for). Little anaemic and thin, and not as crisp as other lagers. But a solid effort.
(2 / 5)
Drynks Unlimited - Manchester, UK
Smashed lager
Lager
0.0%
Fantastic lager. Would not know it was not alcoholic - comparable to a cool, crisp kingfisher. Light mouth feel, low to no hops, lingers light on the palate.
(4 / 5)
Freestar Brewery - UK
Alcohol free
Lager style
0.0%
When I first tasted this, I could not tell you what style it was and I was not sure I wanted to find out. First mouthful tasted like banana, and has the smell of a warm Heineken. This beer is made by missing the fermentation stage and instead combine malted barley, citrus oils and Perle hops. Undrinkable, to my taste.
(0 / 5)
Jump Ship Brewing, Scotland
Yard arm
Lager
0.5%
Not bad hop character but completely flat and lifeless.
(2 / 5)
Small Beer Brew Co. London SE16, UK
Lager
Lager
2.1%
Yum yum yum. Soft on the palate, strong finish. Put a few away with a curry and you will not be disappointed.
(4 / 5)
Small Beer Brew Co. London SE16, UK
Steam
Steam
2.7%
Think of steam beer as lager's cousin, and you have the idea. Enjoy the medium hop-taste and dark amber hue of this beer. Very light and subtle malt, which comes at the end of each sip. Enjoy with fish or spring vegetables.
(3 / 5)
pale ale
Big Drop Brewing Co. - Ipswich, UK
Pine trail pale ale
Pale ale
0.5%
What a nose! Hops and malt dance off the beer. Flavour a little disappointing in comparison. A little weak but still very nice and subtle. I warmed up to this beer near the end.
(3 / 5)
(1 / 5)
Brewdog - Ellon, Scotland
Nanny state
Hoppy Ale
0.5%
Possibly the beer that started it all, but with the disadvantage of having no-one to copy. While it has an interesting hop character, it tastes a little like burnt toast. Which is not my favourite.
Drop Bear Beer Co - Swansea, Wales
Yuzu pale ale
Pale ale
0.4%
An enticing, fruity nose and rich golden colour promise much. The first sip is light, with subtle hop character dancing on the roof of your mouth. The flavour grows with sips 2 and 3, and by number 4 you will be sold.
(4 / 5)
Drynks Unlimited - Manchester, UK
Smashed pale ale
Pale ale
0.0%
This tastes almost like flat lemonade on first drink. Sweet on the nose as well. Light hop character.
(2 / 5)
Hambleton Brewery - Yorkshire, UK
Point 5
Pale ale
0.5%
Very immature hop flavour, carried forth by some rather boring malt character.
(2 / 5)
Hammerton Brewery - London N7, UK
Zed
Pale ale
0.5%
Interesting nose, some malt character. Light colour (masquerading as a sauvignon blanc). Actually a little tart on the back of the mouth. Very little hop character. Refreshing however.
(2 / 5)
Hawkshead Brewery - Kendal, UK
Lighter times
Pale ale
0.5%
Great hop character on the tongue and roof of the mouth, with a touch of resin at the back of the throat. Very light, flavour lingers for 30 seconds. Reminds of a pilsner and surprising that it's only 0.5%. Quaff a few on a sunny afternoon.
(3 / 5)
Jump Ship Brewing, Scotland
Flying colours
Pale ale
0.5%
Somewhat burnt flavour, little hop character. Can still be drunk, but would not recommend
(2 / 5)
Mikkeller Brewing Co., - Copenhagen, Denmark
Drink'in the sun
Pale ale
0.3%
Very little in the nose. Light hops. Some citrus in the mouth as is characteristic of the style. Hops at the end of the palate. Smooth mouth feel - similar to a lager. Wonderful golden colour.
(2 / 5)
Nirvana Brewery, E10 7QP
Traditional pale
Pale ale
0.0%
Regrettably I lost my tasting notes for this beer, but I do not recall it being especially bad or especially good. Middle of the road then, bumped to a "3" as it's truly alcohol free.
(3 / 5)
Ridgeside brewery, Leeds, LS7 2AW, UK
Nothing but the
rain (v5)
Pale ale
0.5%
Enticing nose. Unbelievable crisp pale - you would be forgiven for thinking it was a pilsner. No hops to speak of. Incredibly light coloured.
(3 / 5)
Tempest Brewery - Tweedbank, Scotland
Sleight of Hand
Pale ale
0.5%
Has the colour of a sauvignon blanc. Weirdly sour which is unexpected and unwanted. Bordering on undrinkable (as a pale ale).
(1 / 5)
(2 / 5)
Thornbridge Brewery - Peak District, UK
Zero five
Pale ale
0.5%
Inoffensive and drinkable but rather run of the mill. No hops to speak of, and a light burnt flavour.
To Øl Brewery - Copenhagen, Denmark
Implosion
Pale ale
0.3%
Little nose, and very subtle taste. Difficult to tell what style this beer is from taste alone. Scouring the internet for clues has not really helped, and so here it sits. Inoffensive is the most overriding characteristic of this beer.
(2 / 5)
West Berkshire Brewery, UK
Solo
Pale ale
0.5%
A middle of the road offering. Little to no hop character. Strangely sweet on the nose. Touch of burnt toast on the aftertaste.
(2 / 5)
West Berkshire Brewery, UK
Solo (peach)
Peach pale ale
0.5%
An interesting nose, sweet although not many hints of the promised peach. Very drinkable pale and much improved over the pale ale option.
(3 / 5)
pilsner
Budejovicky Budvar, Czech Republic
Budvar
Pilsner
0.5%
Nothing whatsoever on the nose. However a fair attempt at the classic budvar - although as the classic is not that good, neither is this beer. Very very inoffensive, limited flavour. But you could wash 3 of these away without even realising it.
(2 / 5)
(2 / 5)
West Berkshire Brewery, UK
Solo
Pilsner
0.5%
Meh. Has an oddly weird sour aftertaste. Not recommended.
sour
Big Drop Brewing Co. - Ipswich, UK
Double strike
Sour
0.5%
Great initial sour hit and well rounded sour character, but leaves the mouth far too quickly, leaving the drinker disappointed at the watery aftertaste.
(2 / 5)
Clausthaler - Frankfurt, Germany
Lemon
Citrus beer
0.5%
The label says "alkoholfri shandy", which is the perfect description. The lemon is a little sweet and could use more tartness to liven this drink up - the high sugar content claws at the back of the throat. However, if you are a fan of artificial fruit juice this should be something you will like.
(2 / 5)
Drynks Unlimited - Manchester, UK
Smashed citrus
Citrus beer
0.0%
For 0% this is a great beer. Strong citrus flavour without the "washing-up liquid" taste. A super refreshing drop.
(3 / 5)
(4 / 5)
Lervig - Stavanger, Norway
No worries
Grapefruit sour
0.5%
Fantastic grapefruit nose and on the mouth. Subtle mouth feel and flavour. Not too sharp. A perfect intro to sour beers.
Lervig - Stavanger, Norway
No worries (#2)
(Extra) grapefruit sour
0.5%
Wonderful "fresh cut grass" flavour at the back of the mouth. The titular grapefruit creeps through at the start of each mouthful. Somewhat thinner than other examples but a solid entry.
(4 / 5)
London Fields Brewery - London E8, UK
Sisters are brewin' it
Passionfruit sour
0.5%
This superb sour is a fantastic entry from London Fields. Not too sour, and very very quaff-able. A great entry-level sour for those looking to try the style out.
(4 / 5)
Mikkeller Brewing Co., - Copenhagen, Denmark
Limbo (blueberry)
Blueberry sour
0.3%
What colour! Deep rich red like red velvet. Great taste - great entry-level sour. Rich and deep blueberry taste, lingers on the palate.
(5 / 5)
Mikkeller Brewing Co., - Copenhagen, Denmark
Limbo (raspberry)
Raspberry sour
0.3%
A wonderful sour beer. Sharp, not too sweet, but does not linger on the tongue or throat like some sours can. Wonderful raspberry flavour. Very nice.
(4 / 5)
Mikkeller Brewing Co., - Copenhagen, Denmark
Limbo (lime)
Lime sour
0.3%
Amazing! Lime character on the lips and mouth - sour on the top of the palate, a little sweet to finish. Just fantastic. Would recommend. Cant wait to have on a summers day or with some fresh fish
(5 / 5)
Mikkeller Brewing Co., - Copenhagen, Denmark
Xtra (grapefruit)
Grapefruit sour
0.3%
Fantastic sour. Super well balanced - grapefruit dances on the back of the palate. No suggestion what-so-ever this is a 0% beer. And the colour! Cloudy, light golden haze. Drinking with a pizza. Heaven
(4 / 5)
Tempest Brewing Co - Galashiels, Scotland
Drop kick
Sour pale ale
0.5%
A fantastic sour beer, very well balanced and not too sour but with enough of a kick for those who lean in that direction.
(4 / 5)
summer
Insel-Brauerei - Rugen, Germany
Surfer's
Summer ale
0.5%
Good example of the style, nice taste of nutmeg and other spices (principally cinnamon). A muddy golden colour.
(3 / 5)
(3 / 5)
Uwe - Hamburg, Germany
Summer ale
Summer ale
0.0%
No nose. But a nice example of the style. Lacks the spice of some summer ales but it is there in the background. Nice colour, golden brown.
wheat
Mikkeller Brewing Company - Copenhagen, Denmark
Energibajer
Wheat
0.0%
An interesting wit beer. Light hops on the nose. A little sweet in the mouth - not much of the mandarin that the style is known for. Still, a great thirst quencher.
(3 / 5)
Mikkeller Brewing Company - Copenhagen, Denmark
Racing beer
Wheat
0.3%
I get notes of passionfruit, apricot, and citrus in the mouth, although there is almost no nose on it. This beer is made in association with Danish club Hechmann Running - perfect after a few miles.
(3 / 5)
darker things
Big Drop Brewing Co. - Ipswich, UK
Woodcutter
Brown ale
0.5%
Wonderful colour, has the smell of wet wood recently unearthed from some muddy field. Medium hop character and the smallest hint of malt sweetness. Earthy tones.
(3 / 5)
Harviestoun Brewery - Stirling, Scotland
Wheesht
Dark ale
0.0%
Not a very enticing smell. Interesting coffee notes at the start but tapers off quickly and oddly sweetish on the finish.
(2 / 5)
Small Beer Brew Co. London SE16, UK
Dark lager
Lager
1.0%
You will love the deep, rich, dark colour of this beer. Smooth mouth feel, subtle flavour with roasted overtones, which does not linger. Enjoy with your favourite steak or smoked tofu.
(4 / 5)
stout
Big Drop Brewing Co. - Ipswich, UK
Galactic milk stout
Stout
0.5%
Fantastic colour. More subtle on the nose than the Bonfire stout. Almost a sweet flavour; less coffee and more condensed milk (albeit subtle). Much better the closer it gets to room temperature, but still a touch sweet.
(3 / 5)
(5 / 5)
Drop Bear Beer Co - Swansea, Wales
Bonfire stout
Stout
0.4%
What colour! Deep, dark, and rich. Toasty on the nose and on the tongue - great coffee notes to this beer. Not especially thick but nice round mouth feel all the way down. Would have again, and again. A wonderful beer. Impossible to believe it's only 0.4%.
Mikkeller Brewing Co., Copenhagen, Denmark
Beer geek flat white
Stout
0.3%
Have you ever tried a sour stout? I had not until having this beer. It was a surprise, and not one I would recommend. Maybe this was a dud bottle; purchase at your peril!
(1 / 5)
cider & radler & other
(3 / 5)
Hitachino Nest Beer - Naka-city, Japan
Yuku ginger beer
Ginger beer
0.2%
Does what it says on the tin. Nice ginger smell. Subtle ginger taste.
Uwe - Hamburg, Germany
Alster ale
Radler
0.0%
A fine example of a radler. Light, zesty, and with the right amount of lemonade character. Well balanced. Wonderful hazy colour and plenty of lemon flavour on the nose. Maybe a little sweet.
(3 / 5)
TOP PICS
Flavour of the month, per style
APA:
IPA:
Lager:
Pale ale:
Pilsner:
Sour:
Summer:
Wheat:
Darker things:
Porter:
Stout:
Cider/other
APA, Infinite session (4/5)
A ship full of IPA, Brutal Brewing (4/5)
Komada lager, Big Drop (4/5)
Yuzu pale ale, Drop Bear (4/5)
Solo pilsner, West Berkshire (2/5)
Limbo blueberry, Mikkeller Brewing (5/5)
Surfer's, Insel- Brauerei (3/5)
Racing beer, Mikkeller Brewing (3/5)
Dark lager, Small Beer Brew Co (4/5)
Porter pending, check back soon!
Bonfire Stout, Drop Beer (5/5)
Yuku ginger beer, Hitachino (3/5)
BREWERIES
My favourite breweries producing low- and no- alcohol beers
WHERE TO BUY
Where to find low- and no- alcohol beers