Over 40 Fitness Hacks 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
If you're interested in online personal training or being a guest on my podcast, "Over 40 Fitness Hacks," you can reach me at brad@over40fitnesshacks.com or visit my website at:
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