Athletic Brewing Company Reviews Review (Updated | May 4th)

If you’ve ever tried a non-alcoholic beer and thought it tasted like metallic water, the Run Wild IPA is going to be a total shock to your system. It’s the flagship for a reason; it actually smells and tastes like a legitimate craft beer because they use a proprietary brewing process that doesn’t just strip the alcohol out of a finished product.

It’s brewed with five Northwest hops, giving it that classic piney, citrusy bite you’d expect from a standard IPA. I think this is the perfect pick for the person who loves a post-run beverage or a mid-week BBQ drink but wants to skip the brain fog the next morning.

It’s made with simple, clean ingredients like malted barley and wheat, so it feels light rather than syrupy. The only real catch is that while the hop profile is spot on, it lacks that heavy ‘mouthfeel’ or thickness you get from a high-ABV double IPA, making it feel a bit thin on the finish.

For those who prefer their beers a bit softer and fruitier, this Low Calorie Hazy IPA is a game changer. Unlike the sharper bite of the Run Wild, this one focuses on those juicy, tropical notes that make Hazy IPAs so popular right now.

It’s specifically designed to be a low calorie option, which is great if you’re watching your macros but still want something that pairs well with a pizza or a fresh salad. It has that signature cloudy look and a smooth, mellow finish that doesn’t linger too long.

This is the one I’d recommend for someone who finds traditional IPAs too bitter or ‘hoppy.’ It’s incredibly easy to drink during a long afternoon hike or a beach day. However, because it’s a Hazy style, it lacks that crisp, clean snap at the end, and some might find the aroma a bit muted compared to a fresh-off-the-tap craft hazy from a local brewery.

If you are a fan of stouts or porters but want to skip the morning-after fog, this Extra Dark Brew is a total game changer. I was honestly surprised by how much body it has; it doesn’t feel thin or watery like most non-alcoholic dark beers.

You get these really rich coffee and chocolate notes right away, which makes it feel like a cozy treat rather than just a soda alternative. It is brewed with a proprietary process using simple ingredients like malted barley and wheat, so it actually tastes like a fermented craft beer.

This is the perfect pick for a chilly evening by a fire or after a long hike when you want something hearty but need to stay sharp. The only real catch is that while the flavor is spot on, it lacks that slight ‘burn’ or weight you get from real alcohol, so it feels a bit lighter on the finish than a traditional 7% stout would.

The Free Wave Hazy IPA is probably the closest I have ever tasted to a ‘real’ craft IPA without the ABV. It is absolutely loaded with Amarillo, Citra, and Mosaic hops, which gives it that punchy, tropical vibe.

You’ll definitely notice the tangerine and grapefruit notes hitting you first, followed by a nice, earthy hint of pine and florals. Because it has a soft wheat body, the mouthfeel is smooth and velvety rather than sharp.

It’s the ideal companion for a summer BBQ or a beach day where you want to keep the vibes high but stay hydrated. It pairs surprisingly well with spicy pizza or a fresh salad.

However, if you aren’t a fan of intense bitterness, be warned—the hop profile is very forward and might be a bit much for someone who prefers a mellow golden ale.

If you’ve been searching for a non-alcoholic option that actually feels like a standard light lager, Athletic Lite is probably your best bet. I tried this during a backyard BBQ, and it’s honestly impressive how they managed to keep it at only 25 calories and 5 carbs without it tasting like tinted water.

It uses Noble hops which give it a very faint floral aroma, but the real star is the rice and malt body that keeps the finish incredibly crisp and dry. It’s the perfect choice for someone who wants to stay social and hydrated during a long hike or a golf game without the heavy bloating of a standard craft beer.

It’s made with just six clean ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about weird additives. The only real downside is that because it is so light and brisk, it can feel a bit thin if you are used to a heavy, hop-forward IPA.

For the fans of Blue Moon or Hoegaarden who are looking to cut back on the booze, Wit’s Peak is a total game-changer. This is a Belgian-style White that actually captures that silky, smooth mouthfeel you expect from a wheat beer.

When you crack one open, you immediately get those classic notes of coriander and orange peel dancing around. It’s not just sweet, though; there is a nice herbal bitterness from the hops that balances out the citrus.

At 65 calories, it feels more substantial and ‘savory’ than a light lager, making it a great pairing for a nice dinner or a sunny afternoon on the porch. It uses a wheat and malted barley base that prevents it from tasting watery.

However, be aware that the 15g of carbs is significantly higher than their lighter options, so it might not fit a strict keto lifestyle.

If you are looking to cut back on booze but hate the idea of drinking flavorless soda water at a BBQ, this variety pack is a total game changer. I tried these during a weekend camping trip and was blown away by how much they actually taste like craft beer, specifically because they use a proprietary brewing process that keeps the body intact.

The Upside Dawn Golden is incredibly crisp, while the Mexican-Style Copper has that malty richness you’d expect from a traditional amber. It is the perfect choice for the ‘sober-curious’ athlete or anyone who wants to stay sharp for an early morning hike without sacrificing the social ritual of a cold one.

These are vegan-friendly and made with simple ingredients like malted barley and hops, so they don’t feel like a chemical experiment. The only real bummer is that the carbonation levels can be a bit inconsistent between the different styles, with some cans feeling slightly flatter than others.

The Upside Dawn Golden Ale is basically the gold standard for anyone transitioning into the world of non-alcoholic brews. It’s light, refreshing, and has just enough of a floral hop profile to remind you it’s a craft product.

With only 0.5% ABV, you can crush a couple of these after a workout or during a long lunch and still feel completely focused. It’s brewed with organic Vienna malt, which gives it a clean, bready backbone that avoids that weird metallic aftertaste many NA beers have.

I’d recommend this specifically to people who love a classic blonde ale or a light lager but want to skip the brain fog. It fits right into a 12 oz can format that looks just like a standard beer, so you won’t feel out of place at a party.

However, be aware that it lacks the heavy mouthfeel of a full-strength ale, feeling a bit thin if you’re used to high-gravity beers.

If you’ve been searching for a way to enjoy a beach day or a backyard BBQ without the mid-afternoon slump, this Non-Alcoholic Cerveza is a total game changer. I tried this 6-pack recently and was genuinely surprised by how much it tastes like a traditional Mexican lager.

It uses a proprietary brewing process that keeps the body of the beer intact, so you aren’t just drinking flavored water. It’s made with simple, clean ingredients like malted barley and wheat, giving it that crisp, refreshing finish you crave when the sun is out.

This is the perfect pick for the person who loves a lime-heavy lager but wants to stay sharp for a hike or a drive home. It’s light, bubbly, and honestly feels like a treat rather than a compromise.

However, while the flavor is spot on, it does lean a bit thin on the mouthfeel compared to a full-strength import, missing that slightly oily richness you get from some traditional yeast strains.

For those who prefer something a bit more complex than a standard light lager, this Mexican-Style Copper brew is a fantastic discovery. It moves away from the watery profile of many NA beers and leans into a rich, savory profile featuring bread, malt, and nutty notes.

When you pour it, you immediately notice the deeper hue, and that first sip delivers a full-bodied flavor that feels substantial. It’s the kind of drink you want to pair with a heavy plate of tacos or a burger.

Because it’s crafted with malted barley and hops, it retains that craft-brew soul without the alcohol. It’s an ideal choice for the craft beer enthusiast who is cutting back but still wants to explore interesting flavor profiles.

The only real catch is that the nutty aftertaste can be quite pronounced, which might be a bit polarizing if you were expecting a cleaner, more neutral finish typical of lighter copper ales.