Guide
Low and no-alcohol beer in Australia: a guide to drinking less
A guide to non-alcoholic, light and mid-strength beer in Australia: how they are made, what the labels mean, how they taste, when to choose them, the cautions for drivers, pregnancy and people avoiding alcohol entirely, and how to cut back.
Published
Low and no-alcohol beers let you enjoy beer while drinking less. Non-alcoholic beers contain very little or no alcohol (some contain traces, so check the label), light beers contain much less alcohol than regular beer, and mid-strength beers sit between light and full-strength. All packaged beer in Australia shows its alcohol content and the number of standard drinks on the label, so you can compare.
This guide explains each category, what the label tells you and when to choose them. It is general information, not medical advice. It is part of our Australian beer guide.
Why choose low or no-alcohol beer
People choose lower-alcohol beer for many reasons:
- Staying within the national guidelines. The NHMRC guidelines say healthy adults should drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 on any one day.
- Driving or working later in the day
- Health, fitness or medication
- Pacing during a long event or brewery day
- Taste and social reasons, while not drinking alcohol
The categories
| Category | Alcohol | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Non-alcoholic | Very little or none; check the label | Avoiding alcohol, driving, pacing |
| Light | Much less than full-strength | Lower-alcohol option at the pub or home |
| Mid-strength | Between light and full-strength | Long sessions, hot weather |
| Full-strength | Regular beer | Standard serve |
Exact alcohol content varies by product, so always read the label. Our standard drinks guide explains how alcohol content and serve size translate to standard drinks.
How non-alcoholic beer is made
Breweries use several methods:
- Alcohol removal: beer is brewed normally, then alcohol is removed, for example by vacuum distillation or membrane filtration.
- Limited fermentation: fermentation is stopped early or uses special yeast that produces little alcohol.
- Blending and recipe design: brewers adjust malt, hops and body to compensate for the missing alcohol.
The result is that many non-alcoholic beers now taste much closer to regular beer than they used to, especially lagers, pale ales and IPAs.
Reading the label
On every can or bottle, look for:
- Alcohol content (often shown as % alc/vol)
- Number of standard drinks
- Ingredients and allergens, including gluten. Most beers, including many non-alcoholic beers, contain gluten. See gluten-free beer.
- Best before or packaged date
Our article on how to read an Australian beer label explains the rest.
Important cautions
Driving
If you are driving, the safest choice is not to drink alcohol. Light and mid-strength beers still contain alcohol and can affect your blood alcohol concentration. If you must have zero blood alcohol (for example, learner and provisional drivers in many states), check the label carefully and choose products labelled as alcohol-free where available.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The NHMRC guidelines recommend that women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding do not drink alcohol. Because some non-alcoholic beers contain traces of alcohol, speak to your doctor or midwife.
Avoiding alcohol for health or recovery
If you avoid alcohol for medical reasons or are in recovery, the taste and ritual of non-alcoholic beer may not suit everyone. Speak to your doctor or a support service such as the Alcohol and Drug Foundation.
Under 18s
Non-alcoholic beer is marketed to adults. The guidelines recommend that people under 18 do not drink alcohol.
How to enjoy low and no-alcohol beer
- Serve it well: cold, in a clean glass. See how to store and serve beer.
- Match it with food. Our beer and food pairing guide works for non-alcoholic beers too.
- Alternate with full-strength beers to reduce your total intake.
- Try different styles: non-alcoholic lagers, pale ales, IPAs, wheat beers and stouts are all available.
- Ask at taprooms: many breweries now make their own non-alcoholic beer.
At pubs and breweries
Most pubs now stock at least one non-alcoholic or light beer, and mid-strength beer is common on tap in many states. On brewery days, a designated driver can enjoy non-alcoholic options. See our article on a responsible brewery day and the brewery travel hub.
Cutting back
If you want to drink less overall:
- Set a weekly limit in standard drinks.
- Have alcohol-free days.
- Swap some drinks for low or no-alcohol options.
- Choose smaller glasses. See glass sizes.
- Seek support if you find cutting back difficult.
Where to go next
Frequently asked questions
Is non-alcoholic beer completely alcohol-free?
Not always. Some non-alcoholic beers contain a very small amount of alcohol. Check the label for the alcohol content if you need to avoid alcohol entirely.
Can I drive after drinking non-alcoholic beer?
Products labelled non-alcoholic contain very little alcohol, but if you must have a zero blood alcohol reading, check the label carefully and choose products stating 0.0% where available. Light and mid-strength beers still contain alcohol.
What is mid-strength beer?
Mid-strength beer contains less alcohol than full-strength beer but more than light beer. It is popular in Australia, especially in Queensland and Western Australia. Check the label for alcohol content and standard drinks.
Is non-alcoholic beer safe during pregnancy?
The national guidelines recommend not drinking alcohol when pregnant. Because some non-alcoholic beers contain traces of alcohol, speak to your doctor or midwife before drinking them.
Does non-alcoholic beer taste like regular beer?
Quality has improved greatly, and many breweries make non-alcoholic lagers, pale ales, IPAs and stouts. They usually taste lighter in body, but many are very good.