Small Beer (not N/A, just low abv)

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by jtdowns64, May 13, 2025.

  1. zid

    zid Grand Pooh-Bah (3,132) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    While UK companies are still producing beers in that range, in my experience many US companies that produce cask ale seem extremely resistant to go below 4% with it.
     
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  2. Premo88

    Premo88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,682) Jun 6, 2010 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Sadly, that's true.

    Acopon's two main cask ales are under 4% though Gaspipes, their best beer IMO, barely gets there at 3.9%:
    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/51901/340677/

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/51901/340673/

    Those two are outliers though. One of the best bottled-versions of a good British ale made in the States is 4.2% ... Yards Brawler.
     
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  3. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I occasionally see beers in the 3.8% to 4.2%. I'd love to see more.

    I like @PapaGoose03 suggestions of blending N/A beers and beers in the 5-6% range. I had wondered aloud to a friend how a blend of regular Guinness and the N/A Guinness would work out. He tried it and said it was awesome, said it tasted like regular Guinness but was only 2.1%. I've not tried it myself, so am relying on his descriptions.
     
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  4. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

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  5. bubseymour

    bubseymour Grand Pooh-Bah (4,800) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    DFH 30 min is very good and full bodied at the low ABV level. My personal favorite of their “minute” lineup (excluding 120 of course).
     
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  6. J-legend-K

    J-legend-K Zealot (580) Feb 6, 2021 Arizona
    Trader

    Up until 2019, most packaged beer sold cold in Utah had to be 3.2% abv or less. Most people lamented this antiquated law, but not me. They even had 3.2% versions of poplar craft beers from other state like old Fat Tire and Kilt Lifter (humorously renamed Guilt Lifter). I really used to enjoy IPAs brewed to this strength, especially in the hot desert sun.
     
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  7. jesskidden

    jesskidden Grand Pooh-Bah (3,145) Aug 10, 2005 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    The laws of Utah and the other so-called "3.2 states" restricted beer over 3.2 alcohol by weight, not by volume (abv). So the limit was closer to 4% abv as the 3.2 Budweiser labels eventually noted.
    [​IMG]
    50 years ago, there were a number of them:
    [​IMG]
     
    #27 jesskidden, May 16, 2025
    Last edited: May 16, 2025
  8. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]

    Had this on draft at the brewery on Friday night. I like it. It's rare to see any beers below 4% abv near me. It's even more rare for those sub 4% beers to be lagers, so I figured I'd give it a try. Solid brew. I could easily see myself enjoying many of these in the warm months. I picked up a four-pack after my positive experience with the draft pour. Well done, 'Gansett.
     
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  9. J-legend-K

    J-legend-K Zealot (580) Feb 6, 2021 Arizona
    Trader


    Interesting! I never would have noticed the abv vs abw distinction.
     
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