No-Alcohol Beer

[Corazon17]

After decades of drinking wine (at least 12 ounces a day), and then a few years of drinking beer (often 24 ounces a day), I have stopped drinking any alcohol, persuaded that alcohol started my afib long ago, and that even a small amount can now be a trigger.

I have now taken up no-alcohol beer. Fortunately, local stores have an excellent choice of 20 kinds. The taste and variety is very satisfying, and I have almost the same pleasure in opening that can or bottle and taking that first sip.

However, the next day, I don't have the "reward" I expect from not drinking alcohol. I still have a hung-over feeling, a bit like I did before and lasting for a few hours.

So here's my question: Does anyone else suspect (or know) whether the hangover effect from beer comes not only from the alcohol, but also from the hops and yeast and other ingredients?

Sure, I could experiment and stop even the no-alcohol beer, but I'm lazy -- and I really do like that beer-like experience at supper time. Personal experiences would be most helpful!

[BobD Volunteer]

Interesting question which I took years to understand the answer to. One of the worst ever hangovers I had was after drinking Kaliber years ago.

The alcohol is removed by an osmotic process after normal beer has been made . Obviously all the the chemicals present in normal beer will continue in the supposed non alcoholic. (in reality there will still be a very small percentage alcohol still present. ) In many cases it is the sulfites and other chemicals which cause the after effects.

During the twenty odd years I was teetotal I found lemonade , laterly Scillian lemonade, to be a satisfactory alternative.

[OzJames]

I’m ok with 2 cans of Heineken zero no hangover but as Bob mentioned could be chemicals. I tried a Tom Collins yesterday with zero tanqueray gin and feel fine. I guess we’re all different but I’m sure it’s the chemicals not alcohol in zero beer

[Corazon17 in reply to OzJames]

I was *not* concerned about the tiny amount of alcohol that remains in non-alcohol beer. I was thinking about the other stuff. Maybe the other stuff has been the irritant all along.

Zero gin? I love gin, but haven't had any for years. Does it taste like real gin? Maybe I've forgotten the real taste enough to enjoy the zero gin?

[OzJames in reply to Corazon17]

We’re in Paros and had our first and tastes like gin maybe with less punch!

[Ducky2003 in reply to Corazon17]

I don't like full fat gin but I like the zero ones. Tanqueray Sevilla and Gordon's Pink are particularly good.

[Dudtbin]

we love the gin zero, tastes like gin. My husband hasn’t mentioned any after effects of non alcoholic beer, although he sticks to a couple of brands.

[Jasper18]

I’ve had nothing too noticeable and have probably tried most of the 20 the supermarkets offer! I’ll usually only have 2-3 though, so maybe that’s the way. If I were to recommend one overall it’d be Erdinger. Superb, isotonic and with added vitamin B12. Make sure to have it ice cold!

[Jasper18 in reply to Jasper18]

I’ll also add, I read somewhere that there’s an ingredient in 0% beer that can assist in reducing blood pressure.

[Ducky2003]

Never had a hangover from normal or alcohol free beers. No hangover from shorts either but 3 glasses of wine and my head used to bang. Don't bother with alcohol free wines as they are terrible and taste like over sweet grape juice.

[TillyBoss]

I heard years ago that German beer is supposed to be purest and they have a law which limits ingredients to 3 (I think) so try a German alco free beer

[DKBX]

A hoppy IPA would set me off (sore head and AF) quicker than a light Pilsner … I blamed it on the hops. Sulfites can be culprits too I’ve heard. So my solution is a cannabis tea that I grow, decarb in the oven, and sip throughout the day. No anxiety and a sense of wellbeing makes for NSR quite nicely. Its not illegal where I live so you’ll have to cope with that antiquated issue elsewhere.

[Peacefulneedshelp]

Yes you might be having an issue with the grains in the beer.

[Rosie0202]

Hi,

My choices of alcohol were usually red wine or whisky and diet coke. However since developing AF I have found out that my triggers are :

Red wine.

A large meal.

Any cocktails or sweet drinks (apart from the occasional Rose Wine) which seems to be ok.

Any kind of stress or bad news is always a problem.

So I have cut out red wine due to the sulphates.

The following are all ok.

Whisky with caffeine free coke.

Gin and slimline tonic.

I tried a zero Guiness which tasted lovely but had repercussions so I keep away from all zero free drinks; apart from coke in a whisky with plenty of ice.

It's so easy to blame alcohol but I find that stress or bad news are the triggers for AF with me. I have refused a cardio version which could ultimately lead to multiple ablations. It all works for me although I am more in than out in AF terms but all controlled by 3.75 mgs bisoprolol am and 1.25 mgs before bed. I can't say it's the ideal situation but the only procedure I would consider if it was intolerable would be the mini maze.