Over the past year or two, the quality of New Zealand non-alcoholic beer has markedly improved.
It’s notoriously tough to make a good quality brew that tastes like the real thing, but considering we have some of the best breweries in the world, it’s no surprise we’re churning out some of the best booze-free brews you can get your hands on - right here at home.
Keep scrolling to discover the best of the best New Zealand-made non-alcoholic beers for 2023 plus our favourite food pairings for each bevvy.
Asahi Super Dry 0.0%
Type of beer: Non-Alcoholic Beers
Brewery: Asahi Breweries
Flavours: Clean, dry
Judges’ comments: There’s no doubt that Asahi Super Dry is a fantastic beer and late last year the team at Japan’s biggest brewery came up with a method to take the alcohol out of their flagship lager without compromising on flavour. Our team of judges were blown away by what they achieved: “Good body, clean, drinkable and basically tastes like a normal strength macro lager. Very well made.” In the ever-growing world of non-alcoholic beer this feels like a major step forward.
Pairing Recommendation: A Japanese legend with zero alcohol makes this your ideal sushi match for lunch or tempura vegetables.
For more on this beer visit: asahisuperdry.com
Buy this beer: **Not available online**
Zeffer Passionfruit Cider 0%
Type of beer: Non-Alcoholic Beers
Brewery: Zeffer Brewery
Flavours: passion fruit, apple, tart acidity
Judges’ comments: Zeffer were the first cidermaker in New Zealand to nail a non-alcoholic cider when they introduced their Zeffer 0 a few years ago. This passionfruit variation on that original alcohol-free apple cider is an absolute belter, and one of the best zero alcohol beverages available in the country. The passionfruit pops from the glass but is underpinned by a clean and fresh apple cider with the judges enjoying the surprising heft to the mouthfeel. “Ripe passionfruit, hint of baked apple on the nose. Lots of flavour. Passionfruit carries through well. Cider character is present. Tart acidity and actually quite full in flavour for a non-alc.”
Pairing Recommendation: For a cheeky lunch with no guilt, it's perfect with a BLT, quiche, or Caesar Salad.
For more on this beer visit: shop.zeffer.co.nz
Buy this beer: Visit online shopping
Thirsty for more top New Zealand beers?
If you’re after dark beers, lagers or more unique craft varieties, don’t forget to check out the articles linked below, or browse the Top 30 from the New World Beer & Cider Awards 2023 using our Beer Finder.
Not sure what you like? Our craft beer guide will walk you through what makes craft beer special and the different styles and flavours you can find in Aotearoa.
Related articles:
Best New Zealand craft beers for 2023
Best New Zealand IPAs and pale ales for 2023
Best New Zealand lagers and pilsners for 2023
Best New Zealand hazy ales for 2023
Best New Zealand wheat, saison and sours for 2023
About the author
Michael Donaldson is one of New Zealand’s most renowned beer writers and was named Beer Writer of the Year by the Brewers Guild of New Zealand for a third time in 2018. He has been the Chair of Judges for the New World Beer & Cider Awards since 2016..
His writing appears in North & South, The New Zealand Herald, Stuff and Drinksbiz. He is also the editor of The Pursuit of Hoppiness magazine published by the Society of Beer Advocates (SOBA). He is the author of New Zealand's definitive beer history Beer Nation - the Art and Heart of Kiwi Beer as well as The Big Book of Home Brew: a Kiwi Guide and The Hopfather, the biography of Emerson's founder Richard Emerson.