No Alcohol No Sweat

For those following a vegan lifestyle, checking labels is second nature. But when it comes to non-alcoholic beer, you might assume it’s just malt, hops, yeast and water. So nothing to worry about, right? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. NA brews can contain hidden animal-derived ingredients or use processes that don’t align with vegan principles.

What makes a beer non-vegan?

While the core ingredients of beer are plant-based, the brewing and filtration processes can introduce animal-derived substances. Here are the main culprits:

1. Isinglass (fish bladder) filtration
   Traditional beer (and some non-alcoholic varieties) is sometimes filtered using isinglass, a substance derived from fish bladders. It helps clarify the beer by binding with yeast and other particles. But as you’ve probably guessed, it’s definitely not vegan-friendly.
2. Gelatin and egg whites
   Similar to isinglass, gelatin (made from animal bones and cartilage) and egg whites are sometimes used as fining agents to remove cloudiness from beer. While they don’t remain in the final product, they are part of the brewing process.
3. Lactose and honey
   Some craft and flavoured non-alcoholic beers include lactose (milk sugar) for sweetness or honey for added depth of flavour, making them unsuitable for vegans.
4. Glycerol Monostearate
   This is occasionally found in beer foam stabilisers, and can be derived from either plant or animal sources. Unless specified as plant-based, its origin is unclear. So one would have to err on the side of caution.

Are most non-alcoholic beers vegan?

The good news is that many mainstream non-alcoholic beers are vegan-friendly because large-scale breweries tend to use modern filtration techniques, such as centrifugation, which do not require animal products. However, smaller breweries or traditional European brands may still use isinglass or other animal-based agents, especially in unfiltered or speciality brews.

It must also be pointed out, though, that many breweries, big and small, are making increasing effort to make their products inclusive. This can extend from using more sustainable production methods – so people feel better choosing a beer that does less harm to the environment – to ensuring products can be consumed by people who, for example, follow a vegan diet or need to avoid gluten.

How to find a friendly beer

• Check the label – Some brands explicitly state that their beer is vegan.
• Look for certifications – The Vegan Society and similar organisations certify certain non-alcoholic beers.
• Research online – Websites like Barnivore maintain up-to-date lists of vegan and non-vegan beers.
• Contact the brewer – If in doubt, reach out to the manufacturer to ask about their brewing process and ingredients.

Some vegan-friendly non-alcoholic beers to try

If you’re looking for a vegan non-alcoholic beer, consider these options:

This brew delivers a flavour profile that is both crisp and approachable. The citrus notes, led by orange and lemon, dominate the initial sip. The orange peel contributes a gentle sweetness, while the lemon adds a tangy brightness. The malt backbone is smooth and subtly bready, with soft wheat flavours that lend the beer a decent enough depth.

Citrus-forward flavours such as grapefruit, lime and orange peel unfurl on the palate first, with a complimentary sweetness from the malt coming in after a few moments. This NA beer has a comparatively high IBU of 42, but it works, adding that back note of bitterness one expects in craft beers. All up, very tasty.

Hailing from the famed Indian brand, Kingfisher Zero delivers a refreshing and easy-drinking texture. Its carbonation is well-balanced, providing enough fizz to mimic a traditional lager without overwhelming the palate. And it offers the same light, crisp flavour that defines its traditional lager.

So, can I drink it?

As you may well have intuited from the off, the answer to the question is non-alcoholic beer vegan is… sometimes. More brewers are looking to make their NA brews as inclusive as possible, and that often means producing them without animal products. As ever, however, read the label and do your research. We often flag up vegan status in our beer reviews, for instance.

_{Image credit: Alisa Golovinska}