Low and No Alcohol Beer Worth Seeking Out in 2026
As we touched on in our beer trends we’re looking forward to in 2026, low and no alcohol beers are becoming increasingly common in Australia.
Calling beer part of Australian culture is a massive understatement. A cheeky afternoon bevvy* is about as Australian as meat pies, backyard barbecues, and animals that can absolutely kill you. But what if you don’t drink alcohol, you’re the designated driver, or you’ve made that familiar New Year’s resolution to “be a bit healthier” in 2026?
Until fairly recently, your options were limited to tasteless imports or, well… nothing at all.
For years, low alcohol beer carried a stigma. It was seen as “less than”, and anyone drinking it clearly wasn’t drinking real beer. But that mindset is shifting. Younger generations are more conscious of alcohol consumption and are actively demanding better products that still feel social, intentional, and enjoyable.
Generational Drivers
And then there’s the generational shift. A study that came out of Flinders University in 2025 reported that the younger generations are abstaining more and more. “Our research shows that over the course of their lives, Gen Z are nearly 20 times more likely to choose not to drink alcohol compared to Baby Boomers…” reports lead author Dr Gianluca Di Censo. Co-author Dr Kirrilly Thompson also reported that the younger generations do not have the same stigmas associated with abstinence. She says, “digital socialising, rising living costs, and health awareness are reshaping how people spend their time and money.”
In other words: drinking less doesn’t mean opting out anymore.
The Heaps Normal location in Marrickville
Low/No Alcohol Brewers and Beers
Enter the low and no alcohol beer market. They bridge that gap between wanting to hang out with your mates, and still being able to stay in control. No longer are they just a watery version of their alcohol laden cousin, but a full, tasty choice all to themselves. There are even some experimental options out there. Here are a list of some of the low/no alcohol beers we are excited about for 2026 grouped by local producers of low/no alcohol offerings and brwers ho have some options in their range. Enjoy!
Brewers who produce exclusively low and no alcohol beers:
Well known for Quiet XPA and Hazy, Heaps Normal produces some of the most awarded and genuinely drinkable low alcohol beers on the market. They’re easy to find in pubs and bottle shops around Sydney, and they’re also opening a physical location in Marrickville soon. A brand that’s done a lot to normalise choosing the low-alc option without fuss.
Pacific Ale was awarded the inaugural trophy for champion no or low alcohol beer at the 2024 Royal Sydney Beer show and picked up another gold medal at 2025 Royal Melbourne Beer (AIBA). Look for the Pale, Pacific and Premium Lager.
A proudly Aboriginal-owned and led company, Sobah produces premium no alcohol craft beers infused with native fruits and spices. Their mission is “breaking down the stigma of socialising sober”, and their beers back that up. Try the Tropical Lager or Lime Cerveza for something a little different.
NORT is 99% sugar free, vegan, Aussie-made, and independently owned by two brewers from Modus. Unlike some competitors, NORT beers are made using traditional brewing processes: milling, wort boiling, fermenting, the works. Try the Refreshing Ale or Pacific Ale.
Brewers offering low and no alcohol options:
Not exclusively alcohol-free, but still doing excellent things in the space:
Hop Nation – An extensive alc-free series including Opening Doors Hazy Pale, Mind Ya Head XPA, Stars Align Stout, Passing Storm West Coast IPA, No Buzz American Red, and Proud as Punch Mango Sour
Mornington Peninsula Brewery – Mornington Free Pale Ale and Mornington Free XPA
Bridge Road Brewers – Free Time Raspberry Sour
Hawkesbury Brewing Co – Prohibition Pale Ale
Garage Project – Tiny Hazy IPA
BentSpoke – FreeWheeler Non-Alc IPA
Holgate Brewhouse – Love All Pale Ale
Final thoughts
Low and no alcohol beer in Australia has officially moved beyond the “just in case” option. Whether you’re pacing yourself, skipping alcohol entirely, or simply want another good-tasting choice in the fridge, these beers prove you don’t have to compromise on flavour or experience.
The future of Australian beer looks broader, more inclusive, and a lot more interesting. And honestly? That’s something worth raising a glass to. Alcohol optional.
Nerdy Notes
*A ‘cheeky afternoon bevvy’ is an Australian way of saying you’re sneaking in an afternoon drink. You’ve probably knocked off work early to meet your mates at the pub.
The Flinders study refered to in the opening is OK Boomer: A longitudinal analysis unravelling generational cohort differences in alcohol consumption among Australians’, by Gianluca Di Censo, Kirrilly Thompson, Murthy N. Mittinty and Jacqueline Bowden was published in Addiction DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ADD.70201
