Athletic Brewing Co Free Wave NEIPA Non Alcoholic Single

Pairs with: Spicy street tacos, grilled buffalo wings, a loaded bacon cheeseburger, sharp cheddar cheese, or a classic pepperoni pizza

Good for: Staying sharp during an all-day tailgate, hydrating after an intense workout or run, pacing yourself at a weekend BBQ, or satisfying a serious craving for a heavy hazy IPA on a casual weeknight

Style of Beer: Non-Alcoholic New England / Hazy IPA

I am from: Milford, Connecticut, USA (Crafted by Athletic Brewing Co.)

The Story: Athletic Brewing Co. fundamentally changed the game for non-alcoholic beer by proving that skipping the alcohol shouldn't mean sacrificing genuine craft flavor. Instead of the thin, uninspired lagers that historically defined the NA market, they approach brewing with the exact same passion, creativity, and artisanal care as full-strength breweries. Free Wave was crafted to tackle the ultimate challenge: replicating the thick, velvety mouthfeel and expressive, fruit-forward hop punch of a traditional New England IPA. Using a proprietary brewing method that naturally keeps the brew under 0.5% ABV, they packed it with a powerhouse trio of Amarillo, Citra, and Mosaic hops. The result is a highly decorated masterclass in NA brewing that swept the international stage, taking home a Gold medal at the International Beer Challenge.

Why You'll Love Me: It completely shatters the stereotype that non-alcoholic beer has to taste like tinted hop water, delivering a remarkably full-flavored experience at just 70 calories. It pours a beautifully opaque, hazy golden-straw hue in the glass beneath a soft white head. The nose is a vibrant, sun-drenched explosion of tropical fruit, bursting with aromatic waves of juicy tangerine, ripe pink grapefruit, and sweet stone fruit. On the palate, a premium blend of wheat and oats provides a surprisingly luscious, velvety texture that mimics a full-strength hazy. A wave of bright, citrusy sweetness dances across the tongue, perfectly balanced by a secondary wave of earthy pine and soft floral notes before coasting into a crisp, exceptionally clean finish that will have you double-checking the label to believe it's actually non-alcoholic.