THE LIGHT BEER REVIVAL
Parallel 49 Craft Lager Light $26.99 BC Craft 287026 15 x 355 ml Clocking in at 4 percent ABV, this certified light lager features a lighter body overall
Heineken 0.0 Alcohol-Free Beer $11.99 Netherlands 208002 6 × 330 ml The same classic green bottle and label but without the alcohol, Heineken 0.0 melds a soft and subtle body with enjoyable fresh, fruity aromas.
Corona Cero Alcohol-Free Beer $11.79 Canada 289623 6 × 330 ml
The only thing missing in Corona’s fun and cheery, Vitamin D fortified, non-alcoholic beer option is a lime wedge.
while maintaining evident citrus and floral hop notes.
A Word on Non-Alcoholic Beers Similarly, any comparison of the non-alcoholic beers of yore with today’s offerings should get squashed under a keg. A beer category that used to be an afterthought has evolved into one of the most diverse styles going, and rightfully so, given changing tastes. Accordingly, craft brewers have embraced non-alcoholic brews with aplomb, dry hopping and using quality ingredients in these beers just as they would any other brew. In short order, the outdated stigma associated with non- alcoholic beers is getting tossed away. As a result, in the last few years, an amazing selection of non-alcoholic lagers, ales, IPAs, stouts and even sours have arrived on shelves. The varied offerings also allow for easy meal pairing, whether a non-alcoholic stout and a plate of oysters or a non-alcoholic wheat ale and a Cobb salad are on the menu. Plus, a recent trend has some people enjoying mixing regular and non-alcoholic beers to create a DIY light beer, akin to an IPA shandy, for example! Really, whether you’re reaching for a lager, a light beer or a non-alcoholic option, the light beer movement is all about continuing to provide delicious diversity of choice.
Soccer fans, take note: Michelob Ultra scored the title of official beer sponsor for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A Word on Light & Low-Calorie Beers
Recently, there’s also been a proliferation of lower-alcohol and lower-carb beers. Technically speaking, a “light beer” contains 2.6 to 4 percent ABV, and an “extra-light beer” checks in at 1.1 to 2.5 percent ABV. But it’s time to dispel any notion that lower alcohol levels mean less flavour. Inspired by the revival of radlers—blends of lower-alcohol beer and fruity soft drinks—a few years back, brewers started producing lighter beers with unique flavours and new textures. Made with premium ingredients, these are tasty beers nicely tailored to sipping after outdoor activities like cycling. Add in the general trend to consumers’ more thoughtful choices, and it makes sense why many breweries have fully embraced light beers. Low-calorie and low-carb beers are also more available. While the grain bill and enzymes may be different and contribute to a lighter-bodied brew, the inclusion of bold hops keeps the flavour fulsome.
23
bcliquorstores.com
Powered by FlippingBook