The Best Non-Alcoholic Beers: Our Honest Tasting Notes

Written By GLDN SVN Procurement

We’re constantly tasting zero-proof beer so you don’t end up with a fridge full of duds. Here’s what stood out (and what didn’t) from our latest GLDN SVN lab flight.

TL;DR: We’re vetting the best zero-proof brews so you don't have to. Here are the ratings from our latest flight in the lab:

  • Busty Lush | She’s Divine Stout (5/5) – Velvety, malty, and Guinness-style.

  • Busty Lush | She’s Passionate Weisse (5/5) – Tropical, sour, and bold.

  • Go Brewing | Freedom Hazy IPA (4/5) – A gluten-free favorite with solid hazy notes.

  • Bero | Noon Wheat (4/5) – Citrusy, bright, and very sessionable.

  • Bero | Edge Hill Hazy IPA (3/5) – Juicy and tropical, but a bit too mild.

  • Partake | Pale Ale (3/5) – Smells great, but lacks the body.

  • Partake | Pils & Blonde (2/5) – Great scent, but flavor was thin and flat.

  • Bero | Double Tasty West Coast IPA (2/5) – Curiously smells like Fruit Loops.

The Winners: Full-Bodied & Flavorful

What we learned is that the biggest challenge in zero-proof beer is the texture or, dare we say, mouthfeel. We hate that word just as much as you do, but the reality is that alcohol adds body; without it, many brews feel thin. We found a few that are changing the game.

  • Busty Lush | She’s Divine Stout (5/5): A total knockout. It’s velvety, malty, and nutty. If you love a Guinness, this is the closest we’ve found to that iconic richness.

  • Busty Lush | She’s Passionate Tropical Weisse (5/5): For the sour lovers. It’s light on bubbles but heavy on tropical acidity. It’s exactly the kind of refreshing NA beer you reach for in the Orlando heat.

  • Bero | Noon Wheat (4/5): This is a solid session beer. It’s bright with a citrus finish, slightly sweet but balanced and easy to drink.

  • Go Brewing | Freedom Hazy IPA (4/5): We were a bit split on this one, but it definitely deserves a spot on the list. It’s one of my favorites and I reach for it regularly. Plus, it's crafted without gluten — a major bonus because being alcohol-free doesn't always mean you miss the bloat (shout out to the gluten-free NA baddies).

The Learning Curve: Aroma vs. Taste

One of the most interesting things we discovered is the "aroma gap." Some brews, like Partake, nail the scent of a classic Pilsner or Blonde ale (scoring 3/5 and 4/5 on smell, respectively), but the taste falls a bit flat. For us, "smells like beer" isn't enough; it has to deliver on taste, too.

The GLDN Scorecard

Here’s how our latest flight in the lab scored, from 5/5 standouts to “probably not buying again.”

  • Busty Lush | She’s Divine Stout (5/5)

    • The Vibe: Velvety, nutty, and Guinness-style. A total knockout.

  • Busty Lush | She’s Passionate Weisse (5/5)

    • The Vibe: Tropical, sour, and bold.

  • Go Brewing | Freedom Hazy IPA (4/5)

    • The Vibe: Great aroma with solid hazy notes. A gluten-free favorite.

  • Bero | Noon Wheat (4/5)

    • The Vibe: Citrusy, bright, and easy to sip.

  • Bero | Edge Hill Hazy IPA (3/5)

    • The Vibe: Juicy and tropical, but a bit too mild.

  • Partake | Pale Ale (3/5)

    • The Vibe: Smells great, but lacks the body we're looking for.

  • Partake | Pils & Blonde (2/5)

    • The Vibe: Great scent, but the flavor was a bit thin and flat.

  • Bero | Double Tasty West Coast IPA (2/5)

    • The Vibe: A bit too sweet and curiously smells like Fruit Loops


We're vetting brands so that when GLDN SVN launches at our first pop-up or event, the menu is full of knockouts. We're doing the legwork to ensure every selection is curated, elevated, and locally approved.

GLDN SVN Procurement
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