- Refreshing
- Zesty taste
- Pleasant aftertaste
- Taste might be considered to 'simple' for some
- Not suitable for allergen free diets
- Aroma too sweet
If you know beer you know Brewdog, right? In fact let’s be completely honest, even if you don’t know beer you probably still know Brewdog. After all, in so many ways the craft beer revolution can be traced back to two young Scottish guys – James and Martin – with a passion for beer and a punk rock attitude, creating new and exciting brews with ever increasing alcohol content. By the way, if you ever get the chance to visit their brewery in Aberdeenshire to attend one of their beer schools or even just to spend time in the amazing Dogtap bar you definitely should – it’s awesome.
However, back to the beers. Things have changed – people are more conscientious. We want low alcohol beer, no alcohol beer, low carb beer, low carbon beer – we want beer with a heart and soul. So, in looking for a quality alcohol free beer we naturally look to the creators, Brewdog. Today we’re going to be enjoying their alcohol free carbon negative beer: Brewdog Lost AF.
Before we begin, let’s clear up a few points. First off, AF stands for Alcohol Free and is a growing theme in the Brewdog product range. However, if we’re being very picky this beer actually has 0.5% ABV. In practice I can best describe this grey area as meaning that whilst the beer can still legitimately be marketed as alcohol free, if you’re looking for absolute zero alcohol (like perhaps if you’re pregnant) then you should look elsewhere. Finally, how one goes about making a carbon negative beer is all science to me, and as such I wouldn’t be able to explain it very well. Luckily though, Brewdog explain it marvellously here.
Brewdog Lost AF Beer Initial Review
Brewdog Lost AF is an alcohol free lager. The can design follows the current Brewdog packaging scheme, and the can colour perfectly mirrors the colour of the nectar within – pale amber. I don’t quite know what it is about matt cans, but they feel better in the hand and the beads of condensation that slowly build seem so satisfying. Looking good so far. The beer has a very slight cloudiness to it – like a regular unfiltered lager. It pours nicely, creating a foamy head of large bubbles, and as it’s drunk the beer naturally clings to the glass like its full strength counterparts.
Lost AF tastes really good. As with any decent lager it’s fresh and refreshing straight from the fridge but it’s just a shade more complex than that. It has a zesty edge, and the signature Brewdog hoppiness albeit in a toned down lager style. It almost reminds me of a grown up shandy taste, but without the sweetness and crucially without the alcohol. I wasn’t sure whether to mention the subtle lychee aftertaste or if that would be too much. It doesn’t have the taste of alcohol but crucially it doesn’t miss it.
This is an easy drinking alcohol free lager with a nice mouthfeel – small, smooth bubbles, not too gassy. The one negative I have about this beer is the aroma. Arguably though this is an issue with all alcohol free beers. It has the faintly sweet and sticky smell like any lager, but without the alcohol in the mix. However, taste wins, hands down.
In any case, my 330ml glass was soon empty and I felt good.
Where Can I buy Brewdog Lost AF?
Most major supermarkets are Brewdog stockists although Lost AF can be a little harder to find. I bought direct from the brewery via their website where a pack of 4 x 330ml costs £4 but there are many alternatives:
Brewdog Lost AF Ingredients, Nutritional Information and Calories
Brewdog pride themselves on the purity of their ingredients in this excellent alcohol free beer. Water, malted barley, lactose, malted oats, yeast and hops. This does however mean that the beer is not suitable for anyone with an intolerance or disinterest in lactose or gluten. Nutritional values per 100ml are as follows:
| Nutritional Information | Per 100mL |
|---|---|
| Energy (KJ / KCal) | 41 / 10 |
| Fat (g) | <0.1 |
| Of Which Saturates (g) | <0.1 |
| Carbohydrate (g) | 3.0 |
| Of Which Sugars (g) | 1.8 |
| Protein (g) | 0.1 |
| Salt (g) | <0.1 |
The Verdict
This is an easy verdict. Some low/no alcohol beers are terrible. This isn’t. If you want a good no alcohol beer then Brewdog Lost AF is a solid choice. It’s not exactly the same as it’s fully loaded cousins but no AF beer is and it’s so close! Refreshing, light, extremely enjoyable when cold as any good lager should be. It’s not a complex beer – it’s simple and honest. Lost AF is a flagship not just for Brewdog, not just for alcohol free, but for beer.
