Craft Fair

Easy-to-Find NA Beers You Need to Try

The reason I got into drinking NA beverages was that while I didn’t miss a lot about drinking alcohol, not seeking out fun new craft beers was a true absence in my life. Getting a flight of beverages I’ve never had before is one of my favorite experiences, and missing out on that was not something I wanted to do. Luckily craft breweries have expanded into NA options, and NA-only craft breweries have been putting out some great offerings of their own. These are a couple of my favorites that can be found pretty easily where I live (Sioux Falls, SD).

Samuel Adams Just the Haze

Sam Adams hardly counts as a craft brewer, but their NA hazy IPA “Just the Haze” is probably my favorite NA IPA that can be found around here without too much trouble. The color is great, it’s not too malty or bready like some NA IPAs, and the hoppiness is floral and delicious. It doesn’t hold a foamy head for very long, but that’s a perennial problem for NA beer. If you haven’t tried it I highly recommend it.

Dogfish Head Lemon Quest Non-Alcoholic Wheat Brew

It is currently 2 degrees out, but I personally believe that summer will be here sooner or later. If and when it does show up, it will be time for Dogfish Head’s Lemon Quest to shine. I did take some ice fishing this year and they were great then too, but I think the best place to drink one would involve some sort of pool floatie or river tube and a lot of sunscreen. It’s lemony but balanced with a wheat backbone that really makes for a satisfying drink.

Hairless Dog Citra Lager

Hairless Dog is the most local brewery to me that makes exclusively NA beers. I still need to make it up for a visit, but have enjoyed most of the beers by them that I have tried, and none more than their Citra Lager. The taste has a familiar citra hop profile and not much else, but it works great. It doesn’t taste like any kind of lager I’ve had, even hoppy ones, it reminds me of a classic EPA or IPA with plenty of bitterness and citrus flavor. If lager being in the name of this beer has kept you away in the past like it did for me, push past that bias and give it a shot.

Lagunitas NA IPA

Lagunitas NA IPA has seemed to become the go-to NA craft beer option for bars and restaurants around here. That’s fine with me because it’s pretty good! Not my favorite NA IPA, but it’s consistently good and having an NA craft option when out and about is always appreciated. Personally I prefer their Hop Water sparkling water drink, but it isn’t a beer so it’s not on this list.

Athletic Brewing Co. All Out Extra Dark

Many NA beers are pretty malty and bready because the ingredient that are usually turned into alcohol remain in the brew. In general I find this to be a fault, but in a stoutish NA beer like All Out it can be a huge asset. It’s malty, but not filling like an alcoholic stout, and has the chocolate and coffee notes that make a craft stout great to me. This is a great NA beer for drinking with a meal or dessert.

Where to find NA Craft Beers in Sioux Falls

My personal favorite places to find my favorite NA Craft beers and look for new options in Sioux Falls:

• JJ’s Wine, Spirits and Cigars

• Good Spirits Fine Wine and Liquor

• Williquors

• Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits

Thanks for reading! Leave a comment with your favorite easy-to-find NA craft brew or even let me know about some that I should mail-order if they’re worth it.

Side Note:

This is going to be the part of this newsletter where I share a couple recommendations that have nothing to do with NA beverages. Today I have two.

Floating Points - Promises

The best work soundtrack I’ve found in a long time. Just listen to it.

Guatelinda Bakery

Link to Guatelinda Bakery on Google Maps

This panaderia is right next to my office and their conchas are the reason I needed to buy a little broom and dustpan to keep at my desk. Really nice people and great baked goods!