E244: Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer with Bravus Brewing

Beer Guys Radio Craft Beer Podcast

Bravus Brewing has helped usher in a new wave of non-alcoholic beer

It wasn't that long ago that your choices were limited to a few macro brews if you want a beer but didn't want the booze. O'Doul's and... what are the others? Today, Bravus Brewing and a handful of other brewers are offering up an increasing variety of non-alcoholic options.

There are myriad reasons someone may reach of a non-alcoholic brew. For me, the doc told me to take it a bit easy on the alcohol - a tough thing for a Beer Guy. You also have people who need to totally avoid alcohol, pregnant mothers, designated drivers, and calorie conscious folks looking to enjoy a brew.

Under doctor's orders I started exploring some of the options available. I've found a few good alternatives and a lot of not-so-good ones. The big struggle for NA brewers is that, whether you taste it or not, alcohol does add to the flavor profile of a beer. This makes it easier to brew alcohol-free options with bolder flavors, and pretty tricky to nail a beer light a light lager.

Bravus Brewing has been honing their art since 2015. They offer IPAs, and Amber Ale, fruited gose, and even some stout variations including a bourbon barrel-aged brew. We really enjoyed the Raspberry Gose and the Peanut Butter Stout and we're pleasantly surprised at the flavors they delivered.

We talk with Bravus Brewing founder Philip Brandes this week about the many reasons people choose non-alcoholic beer, whether he drinks exclusively NA beers, the benefits of choosing an NA brew (outside of the obvious), and what's coming up in the future.

Even if you don't need to avoid alcohol you may find an NA beer you enjoy. Plus, you can party hard and not have to worry about that hangover the next day.

CRAFT BEER NEWS

• The Covid-19 Pandemic Will Cost the U.S. Beer Industry 651,000 Jobs
• Munich Has Banned Alcohol on its Oktoberfest Grounds

BEERS OF THE WEEK

• Bravus Brewing
  • Amber Ale
  • IPA
  • Oatmeal Stout
  • Peanut But

Thanks for listening to Beer Guys Radio! Your hosts are Tim Dennis and Brian Hewitt with producer Nate "Mo' Mic Nate" Ellingson and occasional appearances from Becky Smalls.
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