594: Brad Williams - Cut Calories, Keep the Flavor: My Favorite Non-Alcoholic Beers for Over-40 Fitness

Cut Calories, Keep the Flavor: My Favorite Non-Alcoholic Beers for Over-40 Fitness

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In this fun and practical episode, Brad Williams dives into the booming world of non-alcoholic beers—something he’s been experimenting with to cut calories, drink more responsibly, and stay social while still enjoying the taste of beer. As a longtime cocktail and IPA fan, Brad shares how his search for better NA options actually started with his dad, who quit drinking and discovered a game-changing brand called Bero (co-founded by Tom Holland).

Brad breaks down why today’s “mock beers” taste far better than the old-school O’Doul’s and Corona Zeros—and how the explosion of Gen Z/Gen Alpha non-drinkers is fueling innovation across the industry.

Brad reviews a wide range of NA beers across multiple categories, sharing what’s worth buying—and what to skip:

• Bero (Bero/Barrow): The brand that started his journey. Solid lineup including hazy IPA, golden pilsner, wheat beer, and seasonal releases. Tastes surprisingly close to real beer.
  

• Athletic Brewing Co.: Brad's family favorite overall—huge variety, great flavors, constant new releases. Their Mexican-Style Copper stands out despite being a lower-calorie exception.
  

• Guinness Zero: The closest match to the original of any NA beer he’s ever tasted. Nearly impossible to tell apart from real Guinness.
  

• Blue Moon Non-Alcoholic Belgian White: One of the best wheat-style replicas; incredibly close to the classic flavor.
  

• Golden Road Mango Cart (NA): A top pick if you like fruity wheat beers—shockingly close to the real Mango Cart.
  

• Sam Adams Just the Haze: Brad’s favorite hazy IPA option—refreshing, citrusy, and extremely satisfying.
  

• Lagunitas IPNA: A strong IPA choice true to the Lagunitas vibe.
  

• Asahi & Sapporo (Zero versions): Best-in-class among light NA beers; great pairing for sushi nights.
  

• Becks, Heineken Zero, Stella Zero: Solid middle-tier options—better than old-school NA beers but not as flavorful as Bero or Athletic.
  

He also calls out what to avoid—especially NA beers under ~60 calories, which tend to taste like hop water. Athletic Brewing’s “Athletic Light” and many 20–30 calorie beers miss the mark.

• Dark/Stout: Guinness Zero
  

• IPA: Bero Double Tasty West Coast IPA
  

• Hazy IPA: Sam Adams Just the Haze
  

• Wheat Beer: Blue Moon NA Belgian White
  

• Fruity Wheat: Mango Cart NA
  

• Light Beer: Athletic Brewing Mexican-Style Copper
  

• Pilsner: Athletic Brewing Golden Pilsner (best of the few he’s tried)
  

Brad also notes a big missing category: Ambers/Reds. The top-rated pick online is Shiner Rodeo Red (NA), but he hasn’t been able to find it yet.

Brad explains how swapping real beers for NA options has helped him:

• Cut calorie intake significantly
  

• Reduce alcohol load on the liver
  

• Stay social while drinking less
  

• Avoid the “alcohol creep” during long social events
  

• Improve hydration and recovery

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