Did you know Athletic brewing is the first non alcoholic beer that will be available on commercial flights? Earlier this year, Jetblue announced that they would start offering Athletic Brewing on their flights. It’s a great step forward for those looking for non-alcoholic beverages while they are traveling. Does this nod from Jet Blue mean that Athletic Brewing makes a great near beer? Read on to find out more. TLDR? Skip to the rating.
About Athletic Brewing
Athletic Brewing was founded by Bill Shufelt, a Wall Street dreamer, and John Walker, a willing-to-innovate brewer. Bill wanted a great-tasting beer that would fit his 24/7 lifestyle, so he partnered with John to create a non-alcoholic beer that still tastes great. The traditional method of making non-alcoholic beer is to burn off the ethanol, which removes the flavor. However, Bill and John reinvented the process and created a new method that retains the flavor of the beer. After dozens of trial and errors, they were able to create a great-tasting non-alcoholic beer.
Athletic Brewing has been around since 2014, which is surprising since the non-alcoholic movement has only recently gained popularity. In fact, the first non-alcoholic beer ad was aired during the 2023 Super Bowl. Being the first to market can give a brand a significant advantage. Athletic Brewing is the largest non-alcoholic beer brewer in the country, with three breweries across the United States.
I appreciate that they are brewed locally with local ingredients, and offer seasonal releases similar to small brewery’s. More importantly, they’ve maintained their commitment to donating money to environmental causes, even as they have expanded. It is commendable that this non-alcoholic beer brand has retained its local brewery feel even as it has grown.
Dealcoholization process
This is a tough one. Unlike the technology behind the dealcoholization of wine, which is widely known, the process for creating this non alcoholic beer is top secret. The only information that Athletic Brewing shares:
Using an innovative, proprietary method of brewing beer without alcohol, we’ve created a lineup of non-alcoholic craft beers that don’t compromise on taste.
AthleticBrewing.com
Does this mean the beer was never alcoholic to begin with? Why does it have a 0.5% ABV – which leads us to believe that this beverage was once alcoholic. So far Athletic Brewing has been mum about their actual process. The only thing we know is they are able to use the same process for all their non alcoholic beers.
Athletic Brewing Run Wild Non Alcoholic IPA First impressions
I was motivated to try this Near Beer because they were the first small business with a non alcoholic beer readily available. After learning about the brand and all the accolades this non alcoholic beer won, I had very high expectations. If they were able to succeed and grow against the competition from traditional, national brands, they must be special.
Just think, when was the last time a new national beer brand was introduced?
The only caveat to this review was that I’m generally not a fan of beer. And even when I do have one, I prefer a very dark beer. The alcoholic version, a light beer, is not a drink that I would reach for – so you could see the conundrum?
What does Athletic Brewing Run Wild Non Alcoholic IPA Taste Like?
I tested this non alcoholic beer straight out of the can, as you would with a traditional beer. Immediately it reminded me of Asahi Japanese Beer. The taste is crisp and clean with light hoppiness. Served cold there was also the foam that you’d expect from a traditional beer. There is also the malty flavor that you get from traditional IPS. Overall, it was very well balanced and tastes, well – exactly the way I’d like an ice cold beer to be.
BREWER’S NOTES A quintessential and timeless IPA crafted to showcase the strong personalities of our favorite malt and hops in perfect balance.
10/10 Hops
9/10 Malt
5/10 Body
AthleticBrewing.com
Athletic Brewing Run Wild Non Alcoholic IPA Rating and Review
Surprisingly, I actually enjoyed Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA. This non alcoholic beer gets a 4 sip rating! We recommend that everyone try this non-alcoholic beer at least once. Whether you’re sober-curious or simply looking for another great beer, alcoholic or not, I would recommend this light beer. It tastes so much like a real beer that I’m surprised it’s non-alcoholic. There was no off-putting odor from the dealcoholization process. The hoppy flavor was strong but not overpowering. The traditional foam and bubbles are also on point. There’s nothing to lose by trying this near-beer; it might even become your new favorite.
Athletic Brewing Run Wild Non Alcoholic IPA Details
Nutritional Breakdown: 65 Calories / 12 fl oz, Carbohydrates 14g, Protein <1g, Fat 0g
Ingredients: Water, Organic Vienna Malt, Malted Barley, Oats, Hops, Wheat, Yeast
Awards: US Open Beer Championship 2022 Gold, London Beer Competition 2022 Silver (And over 20 more)
To say this beer is highly rated is an understatement. It seems like most people agree – this IPA tastes just as good or even better than a full strength, alcoholic IPA.
Food Pairings: Burgers, Pizza, Tacos
Serve: Cold, in the can
Price / Can: $13.99 / 6 Pack or $2.33 / Can
Where to buy Athletic Brewing Run Wild
We were able to purchase Athletic Brew Run Wild directly from our local Total Wine Store. It does come in a case of 6, so I would recommend trying this at your next BBQ – so you’re not stuck with all 6 cans if you don’t agree with our rating. With its growing popularity, we hope the option to buy a single can becomes readily available at more restaurants and airlines!
You can also order your non Alcoholic beer directly from Athletic Brewing. Use the link below to get $15 off your first order of $30.