Alcohol-Free Heineken
REVIEW SUMMARY
Name – Alcohol-free Heineken 0.0
Producer – Heineken
Type – non-alcoholic beer
Alcohol content – 0.05%
MyDryBar Rating – 64/100
Drink review – Heineken has done a decent job of creating a refreshing and easy-to-drink alcohol-free beer that should suit most. Ideally, I would have liked it with a bit more of a bitter edge to it as it is pretty sweet.
Ok well, this brewer probably doesn’t need an introduction given Heineken’s impressive global coverage. Like a number of other large global brewers, Heineken has released an alcohol-free version of their lager and poured significant dollars into its promotion … let us welcome to MyDryBar, Heineken Zero; one of nine different low to no alcoholic drinks to choose from.
According to online sources, Heineken Zero is created by brewing two different beers, removing the alcohol and then blending them to form the final product with an ABV of just 0.05%. They use similar ingredients (such as hop extract, barley malt and water) but there are some subtle changes to the recipe.
As someone who enjoys a ‘full-fat Heiney’ from time to time I am going to be quite the critic on this beer. So is this worthy of a place on My Dry Bar? Well, you’ll just need to read my review below.
| Attribute | Heineken 0.0 |
|---|---|
| MyDryBar Score | 62 / 100 |
| Style | Lager |
| ABV | 0.0% |
| Calories | 69 kcal per bottle |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Gluten-Free | No |
| Best For | Mainstream lager drinkers |
| Taste Profile | Crisp, light, malty, refreshing |
| Closest To | Standard Heineken Lager |
| Available At | Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Wise Bartender |
Is Alcohol-free Heinken any good?
Taste review
If you’re looking for a similar taste to alcoholic Heinken then Heineken Zero is a good choice. It has that refreshing, malty, fruity taste that we all know and love. The one thing missing for me though is the bitter edge as this is quite a bit sweeter than a traditional lager. That said it is pretty tasty with tight carbonation and a decent body. I managed to get through three bottles of Heienken Zero with no problem.
Aroma & Appearance
The aroma of Heineken Zero is very similar to the alcoholic version with hops being the dominant smell. In the glass, it pours out with a golden amber colour and a low-level head that lingers for a few minutes.
Bonus points
Heineken Zero is going to be a crowd-pleaser, given it is pretty low in calories (just 69 per bottle) and is vegan-friendly. That said, if you are a gluten-free drinker, you may want to avoid this beer. It is also one of the most available alcohol-free beers around and you can find it quite easily on supermarket shelves as well as online specialists.
Who Is Heineken 0.0 Best For?
- lager drinkers moderating alcohol
- pub sessions
- football/sport watching
- BBQs
- summer drinking
- mainstream beer fans
Buy alcohol-free Heineken?
At the time of writing, you can find this alcohol-free beer at most supermarkets and online beer specialist retailers such as Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Amazon, Wise Bartender
Dry Drinker.
Wise Bartender is a very well-respected alcohol-free retailer with a great selection of booze-free drinks and an easy-to-use site.
Proof No More is a great new alcohol-free retailer that brings all the latest and greatest beers, spirits and more to your door. Check out their extensive collection of non-alcoholic drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heineken 0.0
Does Heineken 0.0 taste like normal Heineken?
Yes — surprisingly close. Heineken 0.0 retains much of the same crisp, refreshing and lightly hoppy flavour profile as regular Heineken, although the alcohol-free version is slightly sweeter and lighter in body.
Is Heineken 0.0 really alcohol-free?
Heineken 0.0 contains 0.0% alcohol according to UK labelling standards, making it fully alcohol-free.
Why does Heineken 0.0 taste sweeter than regular Heineken?
Alcohol contributes bitterness and dryness to beer. When alcohol is removed, alcohol-free lagers can taste slightly sweeter and softer to compensate for the missing body and finish.
Is Heineken 0.0 healthy?
Heineken 0.0 is lower in calories than regular Heineken and contains no alcohol, making it appealing to people looking to moderate alcohol intake or reduce calorie consumption.
How many calories are in Heineken 0.0?
A standard bottle of Heineken 0.0 contains approximately 69 calories.
Is Heineken 0.0 vegan?
Yes. Heineken 0.0 is considered suitable for vegans.
Is Heineken 0.0 gluten-free?
No. Heineken 0.0 is brewed using barley and is not considered gluten-free.
Can you drink Heineken 0.0 while driving?
Yes. Heineken 0.0 contains no alcohol and is designed for moderation-focused occasions including driving, work events and social situations.
Why is Heineken 0.0 so popular?
Heineken 0.0 has become one of the world’s most popular alcohol-free beers because it closely replicates a familiar mainstream lager while being widely available in supermarkets, pubs, restaurants and sporting venues.
Is Heineken 0.0 one of the best alcohol-free lagers?
For mainstream lager drinkers, Heineken 0.0 remains one of the strongest and most accessible alcohol-free options available thanks to its consistency, drinkability and global availability.
Where can you buy Heineken 0.0?
Heineken 0.0 is widely available in the UK including Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Amazon, Wise Bartender and many pubs and bars.
What foods pair well with Heineken 0.0?
Heineken 0.0 pairs particularly well with burgers, pizza, BBQ food, crisps, salty snacks and lighter pub-style meals thanks to its crisp and refreshing flavour profile.
Calories & Ingredients
per 330 ml serving
Brewery – Heineken
Country – Netherlands
Alcohol content – 0.05%
Calories – 69
Ingredients – water, malted barley, hop extract, natural flavourings, yeast
Vegan friendly? – yes
Gluten-free? – no
Availability – easy
Heineken vs Heineken 0.0
One of the biggest compliments you can give Heineken 0.0 is that it genuinely feels like a Heineken.
If you read the review above, you’ll see that Heineken Zero is actually a very solid alternative to “full fat” Heineken. Both beers are light, crisp and highly refreshing, with that familiar easy-drinking lager profile that has made Heineken one of the world’s most recognisable beers.
The biggest difference most drinkers will notice is sweetness.
Traditional Heineken comes in at around 5% ABV, whereas Heineken 0.0 contains virtually no alcohol at just 0.05% ABV. Alcohol naturally adds bitterness, body and dryness to beer, so when it’s removed, breweries often have to compensate slightly elsewhere in the flavour profile.
As a result, Heineken 0.0 tastes a little sweeter and softer than the original. It also has a slightly lighter mouthfeel and less of the lingering bitter finish you get from standard Heineken.
That said, the similarities are still impressive.
On the nose, the two beers are surprisingly close, both offering:
- light malt sweetness
- grassy hops
- subtle fruity notes
- that recognisable Heineken aroma
Served ice cold, especially in a bottle or poured into a glass, many casual drinkers would probably struggle to immediately tell the difference.
Importantly, Heineken 0.0 doesn’t fall into the trap many alcohol-free lagers do of tasting watery or overly artificial. It still feels beer-like and retains enough character to work well in social situations, pubs, BBQs and sporting events.
Is it identical to regular Heineken? No.
But as a mainstream alcohol-free lager alternative, Heineken has done an excellent job recreating the experience of the original beer while making it accessible to:
- moderation-focused drinkers
- designated drivers
- Dry January participants
- people reducing alcohol intake
- those wanting a lighter drinking option
For many people, Heineken 0.0 will feel reassuringly familiar — and that’s exactly why it’s become one of the most successful alcohol-free beers in the world.
Final Thoughts
Heineken 0.0 may not be the most exciting or craft-led alcohol-free beer on the market, but that’s also part of its appeal.
What Heineken has managed to create is an alcohol-free lager that feels familiar, accessible and easy to drink — particularly for people who already enjoy mainstream lager. Rather than trying to reinvent beer, Heineken 0.0 focuses on recreating the classic crisp and refreshing experience that made the original so popular worldwide.
And honestly, it does a very respectable job.
Served ice cold, Heineken 0.0 works particularly well for:
- pub sessions
- BBQs
- sporting events
- summer drinking
- moderation-focused occasions
- people transitioning into alcohol-free beer
Is it the boldest or most flavour-packed alcohol-free lager available? Probably not.
But it’s reliable, highly drinkable and widely available — and that combination is a huge reason why it has become one of the biggest alcohol-free beer brands in the world.
For many drinkers, Heineken 0.0 won’t necessarily be the most memorable alcohol-free beer they try… but it may well become one of the ones they return to most often.
