Nirvana Brewery has quietly been making a name for itself among non-alcoholic beer fans for a while now. Based in London, they claim to be the UK’s first dedicated alcohol-free brewery. And they have quite a range now, from a stout to an IPA to a pale ale. Nirvana Helles Lager is their NA take on a typical Bavarian brew.
So, given that the style is renowned for its malt-forward character, balanced by light hops and a smooth finish, how does their non-alcoholic version measure up?
Appearance
Pour Nirvana Helles Lager into a glass and you get the visual appeal of a traditional lager. The golden colour doesn’t feel particularly thin, which can happen with some NA brews, and the effervescence is pretty vibrant. This gives you a longer-lasting head than on some other equivalent non-alcoholic beers. Once it settles down, it leaves a thin but persistent lacing on the sides of the glass. It’s the kind of beer that looks refreshing even before the first sip.
Aroma
I swear this will be the only one, but I can’t resist. No, this non-alcoholic beer does not smell like teen spirit. Okay, all done? Good, let’s move on. What it does have on the nose is a nice balance of malt sweetness and subtle hops. The malt comes first, with biscuity notes prominent. Then comes a faint grassy hop presence, providing a touch of freshness without overwhelming the malt profile. There are no off-putting or overly fruity scents, just a well-rounded nose. It’s delicate, for sure, but what’s there is very pleasant indeed.
Taste
On the palate, Nirvana Helles Lager is light and refreshing. There’s a smooth, malty character that’s balanced by just a hint of that hop bitterness. So on the first sip you’re going to get offered bread-like sweetness. You have to say that this malt-forward flavour is the defining characteristic of the beer, but it is not heavy with it, which is nice. The hop bitterness develops as the beer travels across the palate, very much as the support act (although going on second?).
Mouthfeel
The mouthfeel of this non-alcoholic lager is light, smooth and clean. The moderate level of carbonation means that you get a gentle fizz without it feeling too sharp. The mouthfeel isn’t heavy or sticky; instead, it’s light and clean. The beer glides across the palate with ease, making it firmly in the “refreshing” camp of NA brews.
Finish
The non-alcoholic Nirvana Helles Lager finishes with a dry, crisp character that’s typical of the Bavarian style. Any lingering flavours are of the hoppy variety, so there’s a pleasing bitterness rather than sweetness on the finish. The dryness of the finish makes this lager very easy to drink. The beer doesn’t linger for long, but it doesn’t need to.
Pairing Suggestions
This beer would go well with lighter dishes that won’t overpower the beer’s delicate malt and hop profile. I’d try it alongside salads, grilled chicken or seafood, as a preference. It would also be fine to serve as a partner to a cheese board, especially one with milder varieties like ricotta, or a creamy goat cheese.
Overall Impressions of Nirvana Helles Lager
Nirvana Helles Lager is really a very enjoyable non-alcoholic beer. You can tell that it’s from a dedicated NA brewery. There’s a level of complexity there that is testament to attention to detail. It’s easy to drink, refreshing, and well-balanced – and a valiant attempt to recreate a Bavarian style beer without the alcohol. Not an easy task, but one Nirvana succeeds in.