The NA Beer Showdown: Athletic Brewing vs. Go Brewing
Remember when picking up a non-alcoholic beer was, like, a last resort? You grabbed the one dusty bottle you saw and hoped for the best. Not anymore. The whole NA beer section is a competition now. And two names dominate the conversation: Athletic Brewing and Go Brewing.
This blog post provides a clear and concise analysis. We will compare these two prominent brands based on key factors that real beer drinkers consider, such as flavor, production methods, and what makes them worth purchasing.
And hey, the market is exploding. Global volume for NA beer jumped 9% in 2024, proving the beverage isn't a fad; it's the future.
We here at Better Rhodes love guiding you through this stuff. Let’s figure out who wins this match-up for your personal taste buds.
TL:DR
- Athletic Brewing is the widely available workhorse. You see it everywhere for a reason, it’s consistently good.
- Go Brewing is the flavor specialist. They focus on complex, actual craft styles and super-low calories.
- It’s a choice: Do you want easy-to-find consistency (Athletic) or wilder, true-to-style craft flavors (Go)?
- We also point out a fantastic NA lager if neither fits the bill.
Round 1: How They Brew It
The major difference between these two brewers isn’t what they make, but how they stop the alcohol from showing up.
Athletic Brewing: The Scale Master Athletic Brewing built their empire by doing something unique. They do not remove alcohol from a full-strength beer. Rather, they implement a proprietary process that carries the ABV below 0.5% from the very beginning.
The process is incredibly exacting on temperature management and choice of ingredients. It allows for consistent and pure flavor for the core flavors, which is a large factor of producing a lot of beer like Athletic.
Go Brewing: The Flavor Protector Go Brewing sticks to its guns, focusing 100% on non-alcoholic beers. Their goal is not only to be zero-proof but also to create authentic craft beer. They also use a proprietary method to limit alcohol production right from the start. What’s cool about Go is their dedication to wellness.
Their recipes are built for minimal calories and carbs. They are focused on giving you a genuinely complex beer experience without the guilt.
Round 2: The Taste Test
Let’s discuss the flavors you’ll find in your glass. This is where the competition gets personal.
The IPA Fight: Haze and Hops
-
Athletic's Run Wild & Free Wave Hazy IPA: You can't talk about NA beer without these two. Run Wild is their solid, standard IPA. Free Wave is often considered one of the best mass-market hazies out there. They deliver what you expect from a fantastic IPA.
- Go's Disarm Hazy IPA / Double IPA: Many dedicated NA drinkers swear Go's IPAs taste more like the real thing. Their Disarm Hazy is known for its true-to-style body, and their occasional Double IPA releases push the limits of how much bitterness and depth you can squeeze into an NA beer.
The Light Lager Test: Crisp vs. Clean
-
Athletic's Upside Dawn Golden Ale: This is a perfect all-day sipper. It’s light, clean, and totally inoffensive. It's the beer you grab after a workout.
- Go's Suspended in a Sunbeam Pils: Go Brewing gets serious about classic styles. This pilsner is lauded for its crisp finish and authentic malt character. If you miss that snappy, traditional lager taste, Go often delivers it better.
Key Difference: Availability and Variety
Athletic has volume; Go has variety.
-
Choose Athletic If: You need consistency. They're a giant in the category. They’re a safe, delicious bet every single time.
-
Choose Go If: You’re a flavor hunter. Go Brewing isn’t afraid to release styles you rarely see in NA form, providing sours, stouts, and wits. They focus on delivering that genuine, high-craft flavor experience.
This focus on niche innovation is exactly why the market is growing so fast, opening doors for brands like these. Read this article for more information.
Beyond the Showdown: A NA Lager Classic
Wait a second, what if you don’t want either of those hyper-craft styles? You’ve been craving something light and simple and terribly refreshing. There’s no shame in that.
For something that embodies true easy drinking, we often recommend the Corona Non-Alcoholic Mexican Lager. It’s got that classic crisp, bright, citrus-forward vibe of the original, all the way down to 0.0% ABV. It’s the perfect low commitment option to show that quality NA beer is a standard throughout the globe.
NA Beer Comparison Table
|
Feature |
Athletic Brewing |
Go Brewing |
|
Primary Focus |
Accessible Craft, Consistency, Wide Availability |
Craft Flavor Innovation, Unique Styles |
|
Calorie Range |
Low (Often 25-70 per can) |
Very Low (Often under 30 per can) |
|
Brewing Method |
Proprietary process (prevents alcohol from forming) |
Proprietary low-ABV brewing (flavor-first) |
|
Best For |
Daily hydration, go-to reliability |
Flavor exploration, beer connoisseurs |