Best Day Brewing has released a nonalcoholic Oktoberfest beer, and the northern California brewery’s M rzen-style offering pays homage to the traditional Bavarian lager. It pours a rich amber color with toasty aromas, sweet and malt-forward, balanced by a gentle bitterness and a crisp finish.
The beer is sold nationwide at retailers including Whole Foods, Total Wine, and Fresh Market. It is a seasonal release, so it will not last long.
How Nonalcoholic Beer Got Better
Beer was one of the first categories to try removing alcohol entirely, but early attempts left a lot to be desired. Flavor and variety were thin. Not so today. The nonalcoholic category is booming, and NA beers from both macro and craft breweries have never been better.
Craft beer lovers who want a crisp pilsner or a bright, piney IPA now have plenty of options. Fall drinkers have not been forgotten either. Oktoberfest fans can now raise a glass without the buzz.
The Method Behind the Taste
Beers can be dealcoholized through a variety of methods, or the alcohol level can be controlled in fermentation. Best Day opts for a different approach. They brew full-strength beers and then remove the alcohol through vacuum distillation. That method helps preserve the beer’s nuanced flavors and aromas.
The result is an authentic-tasting Oktoberfest that pairs well with bratwurst and lederhosen. It is an easy-drinking NA beer that is big on flavor.
Comparing the Choices
Here is how the styles stack up across the category:
| Style | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|
| Crisp pilsner | Crisp and bright |
| Bright, piney IPA | Citrus and resin |
| Oktoberfest | Sweet malt, gentle bitterness |
The Seasonal Release
The Best Day Brewing Oktoberfest is a seasonal release, so availability will not last long. Fans should grab it while they can. The beer is available at Whole Foods, Total Wine, and Fresh Market, so finding a bottle is not difficult.
Why It Matters
Nonalcoholic beer has come a long way since the early days. The category is booming, and the best NA beers today are not compromises. They are simply good beers that happen to be nonalcoholic.
Vacuum distillation is part of why the beer holds together, preserving the nuanced flavors and aromas that make a lager distinct. That preservation of character is what sets this method apart from other ways of reducing alcohol, whether through fermentation control or other dealcoholization techniques.
The Bottom Line
The Best Day Brewing Oktoberfest is a solid addition to the nonalcoholic shelf. It is a crisp, malt-forward beer with a gentle bitterness and a clean finish. It is an authentic-tasting Oktoberfest that pairs well with bratwurst and lederhosen.
The beer is sold nationwide at Whole Foods, Total Wine, and Fresh Market. It will not last long, so Oktoberfest fans should act quickly.
Source material: “Drink of the Week: Best Day Brewing Oktoberfest,” Imbibe.
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