Alcoholic Beverage Substitutes

[garyclark]

Just found out Delta SkyClubs are switching their NA beer from Bud to Heineken starting tomorrow, which is a wonderful surprise.

[sancarlos]

Just found out Delta SkyClubs are switching their NA beer from Bud to Heineken starting tomorrow, which is a wonderful surprise.

I used to spend loads of time at various Delta SkyClubs around the country. Used to love eating breakfast in SFO before a dawn flight. My favorite was one at the end of the concourse in Detroit.

I’m very happily retired, but I miss some of the perks of being a high status frequent flier.

[garyclark]

Just found out Delta SkyClubs are switching their NA beer from Bud to Heineken starting tomorrow, which is a wonderful surprise.

I used to spend loads of time at various Delta SkyClubs around the country. Used to love eating breakfast in SFO before a dawn flight. My favorite was one at the end of the concourse in Detroit.

I’m very happily retired, but I miss some of the perks of being a high status frequent flier.

It has made my frequent travels much more bearable. But given the subject of this thread, who doesn't love a free drink?

So I'm happy about the Heineken Zero.

[mister d]

Dry January check-in?

[L-Jam3]

I’ve ran all four days so far. Does that count?

[rass]

Good job ljam.

And yeah. Made it through a night at the pub on Thu and hosting a Xmas Eve redo with family this evening.

[DaveInSeattle]

Dry January check-in?

Right here. I joked this morning that I was doing "Seattle Sober"...no alcohol, just coffee.

I'ver really liked the NA beers. I've had the Athletics IPA, and wasn't too impressed. I'd like to try a hopwater, but haven't seen them in a store.

[Rush2112]

I'd like to try a hopwater, but haven't seen them in a store.

I tried a couple of them and they were ok. They needed some balance. Maybe a touch of honey or something?

[sancarlos]

I’m trying to cut back, but people know me and thus many of the gifts I received were alcohol-related. So…

[mister d]

I'd like to try a hopwater, but haven't seen them in a store.

I tried a couple of them and they were ok. They needed some balance. Maybe a touch of honey or something?

Yeah, the one I tried did seem pretty literal.

[Gunpowder]

[rass]

Damn, is that a bottle of Le Jizz Reserve in the background there?

[Gunpowder]

I went cheap, it's just Sperm Banker's Club

[mister d]

Unfortunately my local store (which was way more stocked than I would have guessed, even keeping it all refrigerated) either doesn't carry or was out of CUM so I had to go with Untitled Art, the juicy one and the west coast one. I'll report back. Also open to any/all suggestions for NA IPAs, whether worth trying or avoiding. The one thing I really don't want is the super sugary, amber color nonsense.

[The Sybian]

Unfortunately my local store (which was way more stocked than I would have guessed, even keeping it all refrigerated) either doesn't carry or was out of CUM so I had to go with Untitled Art, the juicy one and the west coast one. I'll report back. Also open to any/all suggestions for NA IPAs, whether worth trying or avoiding. The one thing I really don't want is the super sugary, amber color nonsense.

Only NA IPA I’ve had was Athletic and I wasn’t a fan. It does taste like an IPA, but a bad one. I’m not a fan of NA beers, if I’m going to drink the calories, I’m getting a real beer. If I want hoppy flavor without alcohol, I’ll drink a Hop Tea. No calories, and it tastes good and my brain doesn’t try to compare it to a beer, but an iced tea. Haven’t tried any of the hop waters out there, but want to.

[govmentchedda]

Unfortunately my local store (which was way more stocked than I would have guessed, even keeping it all refrigerated) either doesn't carry or was out of CUM so I had to go with Untitled Art, the juicy one and the west coast one. I'll report back. Also open to any/all suggestions for NA IPAs, whether worth trying or avoiding. The one thing I really don't want is the super sugary, amber color nonsense.

Only NA IPA I’ve had was Athletic and I wasn’t a fan. It does taste like an IPA, but a bad one. I’m not a fan of NA beers, if I’m going to drink the calories, I’m getting a real beer. If I want hoppy flavor without alcohol, I’ll drink a Hop Tea. No calories, and it tastes good and my brain doesn’t try to compare it to a beer, but an iced tea. Haven’t tried any of the hop waters out there, but want to.

The Sierra Nevada NA IPA isn't bad. You won't find nearly as much nuance or varieties with NA, but I'd bet you find something you like. The lager-y ones like Heineken 0.0, Stella's Liberte, etc. are all pretty good, and the Guinness NA is very similar to the original.

[A_B]

Samesies with Cheds, obvs. I totes prefer the flagships over most styles, though wheat beers are about the same just not my favorite overall.

My go to beers, ranked by the order I think of them:

Penn's Best N/A - 3.99 a sixer! You feel like you should sit on Ben Affleck's hood and drink it slightly warm after pulling one off the plastic rings and handing it to Matt. I've only ever found it at Total Wine, so it may be their brand.

heineken 0 - solid, tastes like heineken.

Guinness NA - a little less bite, but good mouthfeel and head. (rass salivating)

ODouls - Bitches, they've been doing it for years. tastes exactly like Bud Light

Budweiser zero - I'm almost positive this is the same beer as ODoul's.

Coors Edge - As close as you can get to the Banquet.

Sharps - This is just Michelob, maybe Miller Lite.

[rass]

the Guinness NA is very similar to the original.

That's more of a Dry July selection /zman

[HaulCitgo]

I like Michelob (not ultra) and banquet beer. Never considered a na though. Might try cause I trust AB way more when it comes to booze more than the rest of yall

[rass]

I drank a couple of Coors Edges last January and they gave me a tummy ache. Not a bad one, just a little bloated.

[A_B]

I like Michelob (not ultra) and banquet beer. Never considered a na though. Might try cause I trust AB way more when it comes to booze more than the rest of yall

It's probably not as full bodied as Michelob but it's actually better than Ultra and Miller Lite in my opinion, despite the NA.

And thanks! Just don't ask me about wine.

[DaveInSeattle]

Tried a couple of these last night:



They were ok...kinda felt like I could have just stuck with seltzer waters.

[govmentchedda]

Had an Athletic Golden last night at the Lightning game. First time paying for an NA beer at a sporting event. Over $6, even after the season ticket member discount was a bit steep.

[mister d]

Tried this one last night. It was in that range between "better than expected" and "I wouldn't drink this as a real IPA". Better than expected in terms of not being crazy sugary; for some reason I was picturing every NA to be amber and taste like dogfish. Solid enough but (hopefully) won't win the coveted title of "Mister D's NA Fridge Beer".

[A_B]

There is now an Ultra NA. Clocks in at 29 calories. I think the Coors Edge is the next lowest i've seen at like 58, at least amongst beers.

[A_B]

Also, the Lagunitas IP(n)A or something like that is fine, but it wasn't really IPA. Much more a hoppier Hop water.

[DaveInSeattle]

Does making it to today count as doing Dry January? Or do I have to wait until tomorrow?

Turns out my substitute beverage has been mainly herbal tea.

[The Sybian]

Does making it to today count as doing Dry January? Or do I have to wait until tomorrow?

Turns out my substitute beverage has been mainly herbal tea.

Eh, I say drink.

[DaveInSeattle]

Does making it to today count as doing Dry January? Or do I have to wait until tomorrow?

Turns out my substitute beverage has been mainly herbal tea.

Eh, I say drink.

Leaning that way...4 weekends of not having a drink should count as the whole month.

[Giff]

Does making it to today count as doing Dry January? Or do I have to wait until tomorrow?

Turns out my substitute beverage has been mainly herbal tea.

Eh, I say drink.

Leaning that way...4 weekends of not having a drink should count as the whole month.

Absolutely.

[mister d]

Said it in another thread, tonight is the same logic as getting into a bar when you're turning 21 the next day. Only a dick would hold the line until midnight.

[rass]

Said it in another thread...as...Only a dick would...

[garyclark]

Go Brewing Tropical IPA is amazing.

Best Day Brewing Hazy IPA is also very good.

Sam Adams Just the Haze IPA also delicious.

But Hoplark is the best to me. Technically not beer. It is super-hoppy tea that tastes like an IPA to me, and has ZERO calories. Their Citra and Hoppy Hoppy are both great.

[sancarlos]

It isn’t technically “zero” alcohol, but it’s close enough - a guy in the Defector mentioned he puts a couple shakes of bitters into a glass of seltzer when he’s not drinking. Makes sense to me.

[garyclark]

This is the best NA wine I've tasted. It tastes better than most alcoholic rieslings. Recommended to me by a local wine shop. And I think the entire bottle ends up being less than 200 calories. Some honey flavors and a little bit of punchy peach.

Gives me hope that the red-makers can eventually figure it out as well.

[garyclark]

It isn’t technically “zero” alcohol, but it’s close enough - a guy in the Defector mentioned he puts a couple shakes of bitters into a glass of seltzer when he’s not drinking. Makes sense to me.

This is my go-to move at a bar when I'm surrounded by cocktails. Or sometimes I just have tonic with lots of lime.

In a similar vein, I asked a flight attendant if they had any NA beer/wine, and he said no, but recommended club soda with a splash of cranberry. It has become my new go-to inflight beverage. And for some reason, the flight attendants always seem pleased when I ask for it. Which gives me a little tickle of delight.

[A_B]

Had a deschutes gold den na. Pretty strong contender for top shelf.

[phxgators]

Gives me hope that the red-makers can eventually figure it out as well.

Sovi (https://drinksovi.com/) has the best reds I’ve tried so far. Not perfect, but I’ve had a few for holiday meals, etc and they are close enough to scratch the itch. I just have to accept it’s not going to be a complex Cabernet. Their whites are also pretty good, I have a can of their sparkling white every time we get takeout sushi.

[garyclark]

Gives me hope that the red-makers can eventually figure it out as well.

Sovi (https://drinksovi.com/) has the best reds I’ve tried so far. Not perfect, but I’ve had a few for holiday meals, etc and they are close enough to scratch the itch. I just have to accept it’s not going to be a complex Cabernet. Their whites are also pretty good, I have a can of their sparkling white every time we get takeout sushi.

Thanks for the recommendation.

Looks promising, but expensive. I'm hesitant to plop that down on most bottles of regular wine.

Seems like I should try it at some point though. Will be keeping an eye out for sales.

[phxgators]

Yeah, definitely not a daily drink. They have sales a couple of times a year and I grab enough to get free shipping.