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LaurettaSwill - NA Beer

@laurettaswill

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Alcohol-free beer discovery 🍻
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Finding the good ones – so you don’t have to
🇩🇪 Germany | weekly finds
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How come I go by the name LaurettaSwill on Instagram? I didn't like beer until 2017. Seriously. For most of my life, beer was just... bitter. The bottles of Jever that habitually resided in our fridge didn't interest me in the slightest. Beer was nothing I actively enjoyed. At most a party drink, because it had less alcohol or everyone was drinking it. Then a trip to Portland, Oregon, changed everything. My boyfriend convinced me to visit '10 Barrel Brewing', and while staring at what felt like an endless wall of highly polished chrome beer taps, I ordered a grapefruit shandy called 'SWILL'. That first sip completely caught me off guard. Bright grapefruit. Refreshing bitterness. A beer that tasted nothing like the beers I thought I knew. Later that evening we ordered a tasting flight and suddenly I discovered something I had never really understood before: Beer isn't one flavour. Beer can be fruity, smoky, roasty, tart, floral, spicy, sweet, bitter—or all of those at once. That evening didn't instantly turn me into a beer geek. But it planted a seed. A few months later I joined Untappd. Today I'm over 2,600 check-ins in and still fascinated by the creativity, craftsmanship and endless variety this hobby offers. And yes... That grapefruit shandy is also the reason why I call myself LaurettaSwill today. Because Lauretta is a nickname and Swill opened the door to craft beer for me. Funny how one beer can change a lot. 👇🏼 What was the drink that completely changed your perception of beer? #craftbeer #alcoholfreebeer #beerdiscovery #beerstory #10barrelbrewing About that SWILL: It was brewed as a reaction to the Stiegl's Grapefruit Radler hype around Portland at that time. The brewers found it very sweet - traditionally a German Radler is a blend of a light Lager and Lemon Soda. They brewed a grapefruit shandy with grapefruit infused Berliner-Weiße and soda added. ABV 4.5% IBU ~13 by @laurettaswill
I didn’t expect to care this much. For a while, alcohol just isn’t part of my life — but the love for good beer definitely is. So I got curious. Can alcohol-free beers actually deliver? The styles I love — IPAs, NEIPAs, hoppy Lagers, Sours, even a good Stout… just without the alcohol? Some feel flat. Some taste off. Some honestly surprised me. I’m trying a lot right now — keeping the ones worth it, and being honest about the ones that aren’t. Not to judge. Just to explore. And if you’re into good beer too — maybe this helps you find something you’ll actually enjoy. ————— Ich entdecke zurzeit alkoholfreies Bier neu – ohne auf guten Biergenuss zu verzichten. Auch bei IPA, Sour & Co. Ich teste, was wirklich überzeugt – und teile ehrlich, was sich lohnt und was nicht. #afbeer #nonalcoholicbeer #craftbeergirl #beerstagram #beerreview by @laurettaswill
ZERO vs HERO #7 IT'S A WRAP Brewing Company edition 🎬 IT'S A WRAP has been on my radar for a while. I've seen their beers on Instagram quite a few times, and their black-and-white can designs always caught my eye. So when I got the chance to finally try them, I was curious to see what was inside those striking cans. With their new alcohol-free Pale Ale, there was only one way to approach it: ZERO vs HERO. 📷🍻 🍺 ZERO IT'S A WRAP x Nikon – RI HA-SAL Pale Ale AF <0.5% ABV · ⭐ 4.25/5 Lovely stone fruit aroma. Nice and hoppy, with enough body to avoid feeling thin. Mango, apricot and sweet pineapple come through beautifully, with a pleasant sweetness balanced by a lightness that makes it easy to drink. The mouthfeel is incredibly soft, and a touch of bitterness in the finish ties everything together. Also contains oat and wheat malt, which could contribute to that lovely mouthfeel. I'd happily drink this again – and not just to keep a clear head during a rehearsal. 😉 🍺 HERO IT'S A WRAP – Phase One Pale Ale Galaxy, Amarillo & Columbus · 5.0% ABV ⭐ 3.75/5 Lovely apricot aroma right from the start. Compared to the AF version, it has more body and sweetness, with notes of grapefruit and apricot. It even comes across as a little boozy in comparison – the downside of spending most of your time drinking NA beer. 😂 📷 A little background Their first beer was the Phase One Pale Ale, named after Phase One, the camera company. Their photography connection continues with the current Nikon collaboration – and suddenly, those black-and-white cans make even more sense. Even IT'S A WRAP is a film expression: when the shoot is finished, it's a wrap. 🎬 And that brings me to the Feierabendbier. Because honestly, I don't think a Feierabendbier needs alcohol to be something you look forward to. So… can the ZERO be just as enjoyable as the HERO? Absolutely! Though I'm probably not the most neutral judge – I've become a big NA beer fan. 😂 👇🏼 Which one would you pick? *Werbung* *The beers were provided by IT'S A WRAP. As always, my ratings and opinions are completely honest.* by @laurettaswill
I only wanted to order a few new NA beers. 🍻 Then I opened @ondernulpuntvijf and… well. 😂 Their selection of alcohol-free beers is just too tempting – especially when new and limited finds keep popping up. “Just a few beers” led into a full NA beer haul. Tell me I'm not the only one. 👀👇 #nabeer #nonalcoholicbeer #craftbeergirl #craftbeerlovers #beerhaul by @laurettaswill
NA Beer Discovery #22 🍃 When does an IPA stop tasting like beer? 🤔 This time I tried Journey Juice by Mash Gang, one of the UK's best-known alcohol-free craft breweries. It's a fruited IPA brewed with mango and lime, and it absolutely delivers on that promise. Dry, refreshing and packed with juicy notes of ripe mango, sweet passionfruit and fresh lime. It almost drinks like a tropical cocktail. According to the brewery, chilli flakes and salt are also part of the recipe, but honestly, I couldn't really pick up either of them. One downside for me is the addition of maltodextrin and natural flavouring. The flavour is very enjoyable, but I'd always prefer seeing breweries achieve it through the brewing ingredients alone. This is my second fruited IPA this summer, after Brew York's LA Juice Forsyth (NA beer discovery n.12). I enjoyed both, but LA Juice Forsyth still has a slight edge for me, partly because it achieves its fruit character using only real fruit. So... does it still taste like beer? Not really. Despite being brewed with malt, hops and yeast, the overall impression is much closer to a refreshing tropical drink than a classic IPA. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's well balanced, genuinely enjoyable and exactly the kind of beer I'd happily reach for on a warm summer day. 🍺 3.75 / 5 👇 Where's the line for you? Should a fruited IPA still taste like a classic beer, or are you happy when it becomes something completely different? 🇩🇪 Mein zweites Fruited IPA in diesem Sommer – nach LA Juice Forsyth von Brew York. Journey Juice ist trocken, erfrischend und bringt Mango, Passionsfrucht und Limette sehr schön zur Geltung. Fast schon ein bisschen Cocktail-Feeling. Etwas schade finde ich den Einsatz von Maltodextrin und natürlichen Aromen. Insgesamt macht das Bier aber trotzdem richtig Spaß. ───── purchased at: @ondernulpuntvijf #nabeerdiscovery #lowalcbeer #mashgang by @laurettaswill
I didn't set out to become an alcohol-free beer nerd. 🍺 My first alcohol-free beer on Untappd was a Clausthaler. I gave it 2/5. A few months later, I tried Kehrwieder ü.NN. — and suddenly I realised: NA beer can actually be great beer. Fast forward to today: I've been exploring alcohol-free beer much more intensely, often choosing 0.0%. And honestly? I didn't expect the variety to surprise me this much. IPAs, NEIPAs, stouts, witbiers, lagers, fruited beers, sours… there is so much more to discover than I ever thought. I know I'll happily drink beers with alcohol again someday — I'm even looking forward to it. 🍻 But after this journey, one thing is certain: Alcohol-free beer has become a real part of my beer world. And I'm definitely not done exploring yet. 🌍 🔎 👇🏼 What's the most surprising NA beer you've ever tried? ________________ Hands up for the ü.NN @kehrwieder_bier, that changed my point of view. And 🙌🏼 for @ondernulpuntvijf for showing me the variety of NA beer. #nabeerdiscovery #alcoholfreebeer #nabeer #beernerd by @laurettaswill
NA Beer Discovery #20 🍃 Sometimes a beer isn't just about what's in the bottle. Before opening these, I was curious — but also a little sceptical. Zero Labs has a very modern, lifestyle-driven image, while I'm usually drawn to breweries that let their beer do the talking. That said, I always try to judge the beer, not the branding. I tasted three beers from their current range: 🍺 Future Pilsner – 3.0 / 5 The strongest of the three. Crisp bitterness, easy to drink, although I still noticed a subtle sweetness that didn't quite work for me. 🍺 Unfiltered – 2.75 / 5 Soft, creamy and slightly reminiscent of a light wheat beer. Pleasant enough, but fairly average overall. 🍺 Futura Hell – 2.0 / 5 Unfortunately the weakest. Gentle malty sweetness, but little aroma and not much character. One thing I genuinely appreciate is the concept behind the brewery. Zero Labs focuses on 0.0% alcohol, very low residual sugar and simple ingredients: water, malt, hops and yeast. That's an ambitious approach and certainly different from many alcohol-free beers currently on the market. For me, though, the beers didn't quite live up to the expectations created by the branding. They're clean and easy-drinking, but as someone who enjoys hop-forward, characterful craft beer, I was left wanting a bit more depth. 🇩🇪 Ich finde es interessant, dass Zero Labs einen ganz anderen Ansatz verfolgt als viele Craft-Brauereien: 0,0 %, zuckerfrei und möglichst reduziert. Die Idee gefällt mir. Geschmacklich haben mich die drei Biere aber nicht wirklich abgeholt. Am besten gefiel mir noch das Pils, während Hell und Unfiltered für mich etwas zu vorsichtig und austauschbar wirkten. 👇🏼 Have you tried Zero Labs? Did the beer live up to the hype for you? _______ purchased at @edeka #nabeerdiscovery #alcoholfreebeer #beertasting #zerolabs by @laurettaswill
NA Beer Discovery #19 🍃 Sometimes all you need is a quiet afternoon by the sea and a well-brewed alcohol-free beer. I usually gravitate towards IPAs, while Pale Ales often leave me wanting a bit more. Too often they come across as slightly dull or muted to me. The Icauna Sans Alcool surprised me. It opens with fresh hop aromas and subtle floral notes. The body has enough weight to feel satisfying, before finishing with a dry, zesty bitterness that lingers just long enough. It never felt flat or "muffy"—something I sometimes notice in this style. This isn't a beer trying to imitate an IPA. Instead, it reminded me that alcohol-free Pale Ales can be just as interesting as their IPA counterparts. 🍺 4.0 / 5 About the brewery Popihn is a French craft brewery from Burgundy, founded in 2017. It has earned a strong reputation for hop-forward beers inspired by modern American brewing. The original Icauna is one of the brewery's core beers, and this alcohol-free version uses the same hop combination: Citra, Mosaic & Summit, resulting in a fresh, aromatic Pale Ale with plenty of character. 🇩🇪 Gerade weil Pale Ale sonst oft nicht mein bevorzugter Bierstil ist, fand ich dieses hier so spannend. Es zeigt, dass alkoholfreie Pale Ales auch so aromatisch und hopfenbetont sein können wie ihre IPA-Verwandten. 👇🏼 Do you enjoy alcohol-free Pale Ales, or do you usually reach for an IPA instead? _________ purchased at @ondernulpuntvijf #nabeerdiscovery #afbeer #alcoholfreebeer #craftbeerlife by @laurettaswill
NA Beer Discovery #18 🍃 About a week and a half ago I spent a few lovely days in Hanover. Besides enjoying the city itself, I also explored some of its landmarks— and, of course, discovered a few alcohol-free beers along the way. One stop was the Göttingen Seven Monument, where I couldn't resist bringing along a can of BrewDog Hazy Jane Alcohol Free for a few playful photos. For me, the Hazy Jane carries quite a bit of nostalgia. Years ago, the original Hazy Jane was one of the beers that really sparked my curiosity for modern craft beer. It completely surprised me back then with its juicy hop profile and creamy mouthfeel. Since then, BrewDog has adjusted the recipe several times. I know it's a beer that divides opinions — some still love it, others think it has lost some of its former character. And the AF version? I'd describe it as a solid, approachable alcohol-free IPA. Floral aromas, a pleasant lime note and good drinkability are there, although the body feels a little lighter and slightly watery. It has a special place though because it reminds me where my beer journey began. 🍺 3 / 5 👇🏼 What beer brings back memories for you—even if today's version isn't quite the same anymore? 🇩🇪 Manche Biere bewertet man nicht nur mit dem Gaumen, sondern auch mit den Erinnerungen. Hazy Jane gehört für mich genau in diese Kategorie – die alkoholfreie Version ist nicht außergewöhnlich, aber ein Klassiker. #nabeerdiscovery #afbeer #visithanover #beertravel by @laurettaswill
NA Beer Discovery #17 🇳🇱 This time I compared three Dutch 0.0 witbiers. Although they all belong to the same beer style, they couldn't have been more different. One thing immediately stood out: none of these beers contained added sugar or artificial flavourings. Instead, each brewery relied on natural ingredients to create its own interpretation of a witbier. 🍏 Budels Witte Parel 0.0 was the lightest and most refreshing of the three. Apple extract and lemon gave it a crisp, summer-like character, while oat malt added a pleasant creamy mouthfeel. It's definitely different from a traditional witbier, but enjoyable in its own way. Plus: it's organic.  🍊 Lowlander 0.0 Wit came closest to the classic style. Citrus takes centre stage, supported by gentle orange notes. Bright, refreshing and well balanced, it felt like a modern take on a familiar favourite. 🌼 Starchaser by Oersoep completely stole the show. Brewed with yuzu and elderflower, it offered layers of citrus, floral aromas and a beautiful balance between sweetness and acidity. It was the most complex, most memorable beer of the tasting—and my clear winner. Interestingly, none of the three followed the traditional Belgian witbier profile with dominant orange peel and coriander. Instead, each brewery created its own interpretation, proving how versatile alcohol-free wheat beers can be. 🏆 My ranking  🥇 Oersoep – Starchaser (4.25/5)  🥈 Lowlander – 0.0 Wit (3.75/5)  🥉 Budels – Witte Parel 0.0 (3.25/5) 👇🏼 Do you prefer a classic Belgian-style witbier, or do you enjoy modern twists like yuzu or elderflower? 🇩🇪 Oft wird alkoholfrei mit "schmeckt alles gleich" abgetan. Dieses Tasting war für mich ein schönes Gegenbeispiel – gleicher Bierstil, drei wirklich unterschiedliche Charaktere. _____ purchased from @ondernulpuntvijf @budelsbier @lowlander @oersoepbrouwcafe #nabeerdiscovery #alcoholfreebeer #craftbeer #nabeer by @laurettaswill
A craft beer birthday party... alcohol-free. 🍻 Turns out, it's never just about the beer. Great conversations, familiar faces, meeting new people and discovering some really good NA beers along the way. Happy 11th birthday, Beyond Beer! Thanks for having me. 💛 #craftbeer #alcoholfree #beyondbeer #beercommunity by @laurettaswill
POV: You're pregnant but still a beer & coffee lover. ☕🍺💧 Honestly? The biggest surprise wasn't giving up alcohol or most of caffeine for a while. It was discovering how many genuinely enjoyable alternatives are out there. ☕ Decaf from @machwitz.kaffee and @mayakaffeeroesterei ☕ Lupine coffee from @drinkloffee 🍺 easy AF options lately: @stoertebekerbrauspezialitaeten @uiltjebrewing.co @schoefferhofer @paulaner_deutschland @guinness.germany @brlobeer @goesserbraeu @bayreuther_brauhaus And of course... 💧 A LOT of Staatlich Fachingen 😅 Plot twist: I'm actually enjoying it. 👇 What's the one drink you'd miss most? ☕ Coffee? 🍺 Beer with ABV? by @laurettaswill

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