Nuwave Alcohol Free Lager is another beer I’ve added to my tasting list as I continue exploring the different alcohol-free lagers available in the UK. I’m particularly interested in how these newer alternatives compare with more established brands, especially when it comes to flavour, body and overall drinkability.
For this tasting, I’ll be looking at its appearance, aroma, flavour, mouthfeel and finish, paying particular attention to how well it balances malt sweetness with hop bitterness and whether it delivers the crisp, refreshing character I’d normally expect from a lager.
Appearance:
An attractive light gold colour with plenty of lovely bubbles forming a head that lasts a good amount of time. It’s a lovely ‘crisp’ and refreshing looking beer.
Nose:
Quite light on the aroma front with honey, floral notes and hops showing first. These are followed by citrus aromas and a little tropical fruit.
There’s also a ‘funky’ note lingering in the background that I can’t put my finger on.
Taste:
Sweet honey, vanilla, raspberry jam and that funk come through first. It’s almost a little cheesy (could it be the hops or the additional botanicals??)!? It’s definitely one of the sweetest beers I’ve tried in a while, almost syrupy in flavour and a little viscous too. The slight carbonation is nice and adds a layer that wakes up the senses.
Finish:
The honey and other sweet notes last a little while. The fizz also lasts.
Overall:
It’s a nice sweet beer but the funky element is off-putting and is ever present. If it’s the addition of the botanicals or bacteria cultures then I’ll leave drinks promoting these ‘benefits’ for others. I loved the honey and jam though.
Drink With:
Crisps
Would I buy Again?:
Not unless the next can doesn’t have that funk!
Beer information
Nutritional information (per 100ml)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy | 75 kJ / 18 kcal |
| Fat | 0.3 g |
| Saturates | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4.5 g |
| Sugars | 3.1 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | Not stated |
| Alcohol | 0.5% ABV |
Figures are from UK retailer Wise Bartender. NuWave’s lager is also listed as vegan and gluten-free.
N.B. Nuwave is marketed as a functional alcohol-free beer containing botanicals including ashwagandha, lion’s mane, maca root and guarana, alongside heat-treated bacterial cultures described as postbiotics. The manufacturer promotes mood-related benefits, although these claims should not be confused with independently established health benefits.
Brewery website: https://nuwavedrinks.com/
