HOT, BITTER, SOBER SUMMER. 10+ great non-alcoholic beers in town. UPDATED 20.06.2025.

As the hottest summers in decades, centuries and ages come this way, and as the beverage-loving Midsummer solstice is knocking at every Latvian's door, we decided to publish a rather alternative list of great alcohol-free beers available in Riga and possibly elsewhere.

I call myself sort of a straight edge person totally inert to booze in general. However, sometimes it is just fine to crave for something bitter, sugar-free, or savory to drink, and this is where non-alcoholic beers come in handy. One of my options for years has been Zelta zirgs, a rich rye-bread-like malt drink, but, as it's production depletes, it's time to look for something more.

This might be one of CAPITAL R's strangest articles, but I believe I am not the only one in the club. The number of people willing to switch to "zero" beers has grown exponentially, so has the offer. Reasons might be various: some are not fond of getting bashed, dead-drunk, three sheets in the wind, or wasted any more while keeping the sensation of bitterness; some are looking for new tastes; some want to drink everything lean; some want to be surprised by the potency of "near" beers (maybe the growing market of female clients that want something lighter but bitter enough is a trigger as well, who knows).

I think the most common reason to switching for "beer that does not bite" is simply the fact that most of us drive or ride nowadays - there is a need for bitterness without being a threat to others and self.

Alcohol-free beers might also definitely be a choice for those who like the taste, but don't like the overweight it comes with. And it's a plus for "zero" beers that never seem like a full meal. When you look at such beverages from a nutrition perspective, most of them don't live up to the kcal rate of regular beers (usually it's 35 - 45 kcal per 100ml if not more whereas alcohol-free beers often don't reach 30). Fun fact - "near" beers always have nutritional value given apart from the regular ones that almost never have it (at least in Latvia) and some of them are even labelled "ISOTONIC" with added vitamins. It's finally healthy to drink beer!

Despite or, probably, because of that, it is quite hard to chug a couple of half-litres of the "beer lemonade", to say nothing about a pint or two. Definitely, for me. Therefore, it's weird why some breweries still think non-alcoholic beers must have the same drinking size as the regular ones. From my experience, it is quite enough to have a couple 0,33L longnecks spanning across the evening instead of hanging around with a lifeless pint. Also, I have a feeling that the longer the near-beer, the faster it loses its kick.

THE TEST

In order to create our subjective list, I have tested over 40 (or even nearing 50) alcohol-free beers (not on the same day), focusing only on the ones widely available in stores, bars, cafés (i.e. something you don't need to search with compass and fire). Another criteria - I am looking for what's basically beer with as basic ingredients as possible, not some sin-free shandy pee or hops-flavoured soda sugar bomb (yes, we sadly have those). IMPORTANT! I noticed the best "near" beers usually being closest to the calories of their alcoholic versions. Hence a very good indicator - simply avoid everything below 20-25 kcal.

Finally - this SUBJECTIVE list of decent non-alcoholic beers was born (and it's being updated often!). So, if you look for a genuine taste of nonalcoholic beer in Riga and Latvia, check these ones out and try not to bother too much with others outside our selection!

11. Kronenbourg 1664 BLANC Alcohol free - for some, this "wheat beer with a taste of citrus" might be a bit too sweet, but the zesty, bitterish replication of malt and hops really works here. Also - not too large, so BLANC feels like a good, soft alternative to specialty beers. UPDATE! Recently, it has dropped in quality and become too lean, but still delivers, so give BLANC a try!

10. Clausthaler Original Non-Alcoholic. Either in cans or bottles, this crispy and fresh German lager standard delivers a safe yet good enough taste for it to be remembered as a good choice!

9. Carlsberg Alcohol Free Organic Pilsner - Years of mass-production and "probably the best unlimited funding in the world" in research has paid back! After another try I was convinced (and not because of the "organic" label) that Carlsberg have managed to produce a well balanced and sin-free pilsner!

8. Piebalgas bezalkoholiskais - A fine combo - not too sweet, not too bitter, not too large (however, recently they've been making half a litter bottles only, so the beer drops a few places, because 0,5 is a bit too much). Piebalgas barley "zero" beverage also has the most kcals of all, thus making it the richest non-alcoholic beer in the market now (who knows, maybe it really defines a success). Also - produced by one of the most renowned traditional breweries in Latvia.

7. Corona Cero - it tastes like Corona and it's a good thing! If you like the pale lagers, then one of the latest newcomers to this near-beer family is pretty convincing and enjoyable.

6. Guinness Draught 0.0. A legendary taste has got a very, very convincing alcohol-free version. It's thick, it's heavy, it's roasty, it's really liquid bread!

5. Hoegaarden Wit 0,0% - a well-known company brews one of the most exotic tastes among "zero" beers on this list. With a hint of coriander and orange peel, the taste is definitely refreshing and this specialty-like beer also comes in a pleasant size. EDITOR'S CHOICE!

4. Valmiermuiža non-alcoholic. One of the most known Latvian contemporary craft beer breweries have produced a very decent near-beer you can buy everywhere! Valmiermuiža has a very convenient and classic taste and will appeal to everyone who knows what a solid beer! If only the size were a bit smaller.

3. Kokmuiža Non-Alcoholic - this should be one bottle, but it's six at least. Simply because I am not convinced if any of these zero ales, stouts etc. is superior to others. One is clear though, every version has its own intense, distinctive taste - you can decide for yourself whether you are a lover of grapefruit, IPA, APA, stouty or zesty hints. EDITOR'S CHOICE.

2. Leffe Brune. The best non-alcoholic Belgian beverage there is to buy in Latvia. Bittersweet, thick, flavourful, convincing, well, you know - Leffe. EDITOR'S CHOICE!

1. Labietis Sober forest. One of the most distinctive Latvian craft beer breweries from Riga has finally entered mass market with their fine zero beers. Among other non-alcoholic beers and several of their own sober tastes, this juniper amber ale is, for now, our most favourite near beer! EDITOR'S CHOICE!