Low Alcohol Beer in shops

donaghs · 12-07-2023 03:12PM #1

Rather than revive very old threads, probably best to start new ones.

Any ideas on where you can buy different types of low alcohol beer? (e.g. 2% to 3.6%) In Dublin preferably, but interested in online too.

(why? same reasons as other mentioned before, mainly to enjoy a beer that tastes like beer on a warm summer day, but feels only a 2/3s or 1/2 the alcohol effect of a regular beer).

I know Smithwicks Red, Wicklow Wolf Eden IPA, Treaty Outcast and others are 3.8%, and available in Tesco/supervalu and off licences, but I'm looking for lower.

Rockshore Lights is 3.5%, but fairly tasteless.

Molloys seems to often have more options (not on their website), I cant recall all their names now. Trouble Brewing have 3% table beer, and 3.5% little monster IPA.

Interestingly they seem to mostly cost the same as 4.5%+ beers. sometimes more!

artanevilla · 12-07-2023 03:16PM

Where in Dublin are you?

McHugh's on the Malahide Road have a great selection of beers.

odyssey06 · 12-07-2023 03:17PM

You could try experimenting mixing say NA Erdinger and regular Erdinger.

LIDL have this radler at 2.5% for 99c but it's very citrus lemony, like a beer and lemon shandy.

https://www.lidl.ie/p/summer-bbq/cloudy-radler-2-5/p11253

Atlantic Dawn · 12-07-2023 03:21PM

Corona Light (Ligera) is 3.4%, bottles are sized 355ml, tastes almost identical to the original Mexican brewed stuff.

Tesco, Dunnes and SuperValu stock it.

Dial Hard · 12-07-2023 03:27PM

Any craft beer with Session in the name tends to be in around the 3% mark. Try a few of those and see if anything truckles your onions.

donaghs · 12-07-2023 03:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120842353#Comment_120842353

Thanks, I've found this to be sometimes, but rarely the case. e.g. Founders Session IPA is 4.7%, Solas Session IPA is 4.5%, foxes rock session IPA is 4.1%, journeyman session IPA is 4.5%, sierra nevada summer break session IPA is 4.6%, and so on.

irish_goat · 12-07-2023 04:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120842319#Comment_120842319

I sometimes do this myself, will mix a can of 0.5% beer with regular IPA to get something a bit lighter.

donaghs · 12-07-2023 04:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120842591#Comment_120842591

Could try that. I find the pre-mixed “radlers” unbearably sweet. Nicer to just use lemonade and lager.

IPA and lemonade are too much of a flavour clash for me, whereas the lemonade adds something to a plain lager.

Tabby McTat · 12-07-2023 09:41PM

I’d recommend Whiplash Rollover IPA. It’s 3.8% and my go-to for a session beer. I find a lot of the sub 4% ones quite lacking in flavour but definitely enjoy this.

Another session IPA I found that I enjoyed was To Ol - City Session IPA. Danish brewery I think. Might be above 4% though

+1 for McHugh’s for an amazing selection. Also Sweeney’s in Dublin 3.

Skittlebrau · 13-07-2023 10:33AM

Galway Bay's Weights and Measures is 3% and decent enough.

+1 on Whiplash Rollover too.

Totally agree that session beers seem to be getting stronger and stronger though. Anything over 4% shouldn't really be called a session beer IMO.

donaghs · 08-08-2023 11:39AM

Aldi have a Nano IPA in their decent Roadworks range (made by Pearse Lyons?) , 3.2%

Tasty enough. Lacking a bit of depth/body but that's to be expected compared with the 4.5% or 5.9% Roadworks versions.

chancer007 · 17-08-2023 08:12AM

UK market seems to have a bigger selection. Would love to see drinks range between 1% & 3% strength.

donaghs · 01-12-2024 06:51PM

I see in supermarket this week Rockshore “Light” has dropped from 3.5% to 3.2% .

When did this happen, don’t think there was an announcement. Beamish gone from 4.3 to 4% also.

But 3.2% is a proper low strength beer. Probably taste the exact same too! I.e. of almost nothing

EthelMercaptan · 01-12-2024 07:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122910635#Comment_122910635

Beamish was a sickener - I did a side-by-side with a 4% versus an older can of 4.3% and the difference was noticeable. Won't be buying it again.

endabob1 · 04-12-2024 10:52PM

https://www.kinnegarbrewing.ie/stories/low-tide Only 1% but I had it last weekend when I was driving actually surprisingly nice was happy enough to have a couple of them while herself had a few G&Ts

For Session Ipa's I like the Dead Pony Club at 3.8% its nice and widely available

Rye River Lil' Twist Grapefruit IPA Alc. 3.8% vol. is also nice and widely available

Don't really know much beyond those that would slot into the 2-3.5% category that are available here.

In the UK, Waitrose & Ocado stock the Small beer session pale ale at 2.5% which I have drank and enjoyed as an easy drinking mid week beer but I have never seen it here - Brooklyn Special Effects Alcohol Free Hoppy at 0.4%is another that I drank in the UK and when I go in the car I tend to bring a few back it's a nice no/low alcohol alternative but I don't think I have seen it here

Acosta · 04-12-2024 10:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122910897#Comment_122910897

Is this just in cans or draught too?

EthelMercaptan · 04-12-2024 11:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122923585#Comment_122923585

Cans - can't speak for draught but I'd be surprised if they supplied different strengths.

Low Alcohol Beer in shops

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