[Drinkit Pick] The Ultimate Showdown of Domestic Non-Alcoholic and Alcohol-Free Beers

Published 24 Aug.2022 17:00(KST)

Which Non-Alcoholic Beer Tastes Most Like the Real Thing?
A Taste Test and Ranking of Domestic "Zero" Beers
From Jeju Nouveau to Cass 0.0: Editors Reveal Their Top Picks

[Drinkit Pick] The Ultimate Showdown of Domestic Non-Alcoholic and Alcohol-Free Beers

Editor's NoteSimilar ingredients, identical names! There are so many things to eat, but you just can't decide what to choose, right? What should you eat to earn a reputation for having great taste? If you're struggling with this decision, follow the picks of the Drinkit editors! We've carefully considered all the essential factors for a smart purchase, including taste, flavor, and price. We've even ranked everything based on these elements! So, who will take the top spot?

Sometimes you want a beer, but circumstances prevent you from enjoying alcohol. That's when we reach for 'zero' beer. If you're curious about the difference between non-alcoholic and alcohol-free beers, check out this article first. Now that you know the difference, here's what we want to say: While the distinction between 0% and less than 1% can be important at times, we recommend that if you're going to drink it, you should look for a beer that truly tastes like beer. With many breweries offering zero beers, we now have a wide variety to choose from. We've prepared a ranking of the most delicious zero beers, divided into domestic and international versions. Today's awards ceremony is for the domestic version. Let's start with candidate number 1.

Candidate 1
Jeju Nouveau

Jeju Nouveau, first introduced by Jeju Beer, is the only contender today that is not 0% but less than 1% alcohol. When you open the blue can reminiscent of Jeju and pour it into a glass, it creates a soft foam that gradually dissipates, leaving a smooth finish until the very end. Editors who tasted Jeju Nouveau left the following comments: "A beer that's not quite beer. I've found my lifetime non-alcoholic beer!", "The lingering bitterness makes it better paired with food than drinking it on its own!" While there were positive reviews, one editor also said, "Personally, the bitterness of tangerine peel is a bit too strong for me."

Repurchase Intent: ★★★★☆

Candidate 2
Hite Zero

When poured into a glass, the foam appeared but disappeared in the blink of an eye. Just as it started to remind me of Hite Original, a sweet aroma emerged. On reflection, it felt similar to honey-flavored soju. With high expectations from the sweet scent, I took a sip, but immediately put the glass down. Rather than saying it "tastes bad," it's more accurate to say it "tastes empty." If you could eat visible air, that's what drinking Hite Zero would feel like. Compared to Jeju Nouveau, it has a darker color, but unfortunately, the flavor doesn't match up.

Repurchase Intent: ★★☆☆☆

Candidate 3
Cass 0.0

The charm of Cass is that refreshing sensation that makes you want to shout "Cass!" after a sip. However, Cass 0.0 doesn't quite capture that appeal. Perhaps it's because it's alcohol-free! The speed at which the foam disappears and the smoothness are almost identical to Cass Original, but the difference is in the aroma. It has a tangy fruitiness or a slightly metallic scent that hits your nose. Still, for those who don't prefer the bitterness of Jeju Nouveau, Cass 0.0 comes highly recommended. Since it's officially classified as a soft drink rather than an alcoholic beverage, it feels more like a carbonated beverage with a beer aroma.

Repurchase Intent: ★★★☆☆

Overall Review

Although there's also Kloud Clear Zero, it was excluded since it's not easily available at convenience stores. We evaluated the beers based on carbonation, smoothness, and bitterness, as shown below.

▶ Carbonation : Cass 0.0 > Jeju Nouveau > Hite Zero

▶ Smoothness : Jeju Nouveau = Cass 0.0 > Hite Zero

▶ Bitterness : Jeju Nouveau > Hite Zero > Cass 0.0

The 'zero' beer chosen by Drinkit is!