Disclosure: I was sent Bavaria Beer sample pack from Bavaria and Chilsner from Root7 to review and was compensated for my time to write this post. All opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.

So for many of us dads, we relish the moment when we get to sit down, relax and open a cool one from the fridge to just take in whats going on in our lives. I think those few moments to sip down the nectar of the gods is unsuitably degraded to just how important those few moments are… For me, I enjoy it, I can gather my thoughts, analyze my day and get ready for the new.  I have a very collective taste in my beer and have always been a little stubborn to try another until the greatest gift turned up early in June 2014. My daughter changed my whole routine. my whole aspect of my life. my mind started to wonder as to where I will be in the next 10/20/30 even 50 years (if I’m lucky). Now, after years and years (maybe more years) of destroying my liver with the same old tipple I’ve always had, I decided to try something new; Non-alcoholic beer.

And WOW was I surprised.

I want to be able to be coherent, a strong shoulder to fall on and a pillar in my family, but at the same time keep something I enjoy. I’ve found a few over these past few months that touch on exactly what I enjoy from the crisp and easy beers of Cobra. These tend to be my ‘just have a quick one, neck it back’ beer but these don’t fill the void. Now lets look at a few that have jumped out to me;

My Opinions

Beck’s Blue Alcohol Free Lager

This one has to jump to the bottom of my list, a very good try but the taste can only be described as something that projectiles out of my daughter with intrepid autonomy. I admit, being a new dad on the scene for non alcoholics I deemed this to be the only one due to the influx of marketing I’ve seen over the past few years and did not even look at another. I tried and tried but I could not get my head around this overly carbonated and overly tasteful drink. But this one did not hinder my journey It only made me venture int the wilderness for pastures new.

Bavaria 0.0%

This beauty was the next one I encountered and was pleasantly surprised, I’m a fan of my robust German beers and did not come out wanting. A less carbonated choice to the others and with a great malty taste I was pleasantly surprised by the price range of this beer.

Bavaria Wit Non-alcoholic Wheat Beer

Wheat beer? where have you been? ALL MY LIFE!! I’m not sure if the stigma of seeing my best friend matt slurping down wheat beer all through university put me off or the stubbornness to try something new but I am genuinely glad I found this. This beer has a very fruity taste to it, an almost Caribbean and citrus outline to one of the most incredible things that have past my lips. This beer by all its merits is each to their own. I have had a very varied response to this beer but tends to be very generational. The younger dads a new were all over Bavara Wit with pleasant surprise but fell on the sword to the older ‘wiser’ camp.

Erdinger Ale, Low Alcohol

This was another surprise for me. I never even knew I liked ale. But is it actually ale? maybe an ale beer perhaps? coming in 500ml bottles hit a chord with me to the tune of ‘freaky baby’ by another level. This is the perfect size for the man who wants more than 1 beer but couldn’t handle 2 as I feel I am myself. I also enjoy the bitter end taste to this beer. This beer was easy to drink and also gave me smiles in the knowledge that sportsman and sportswomen alike drink it, I’ve even read many reviews stating that drinkers asthma has benefited from it. (I have asthma and didn’t notice but who knows)

A couple I’m yet to sample but am eagerly awaiting the funds to purchase, I am a huge fan of the bitter taste and hearty fullness of German beers also to see a non-alcoholic version of my beloved Krombacher has picked me up. If you want to jump ahead check out www.alcoholfree.co.uk for all your alternative needs.

Bitburger Drive (0.05%)

Krombacher Alcohol-Free (0.5%)

Speaking with a few dads recently I have asked a few questions about the new ‘Chillsner by Corksicle’ with a varied response. From ‘It just doesn’t work’ to ‘it fizzes my drink up’ but for me, I loved the idea, the concept AND the execution. Gone are the days of luke warm or room temperature beers when you’ve just come in from your supermarket sweep. When I received this item I was pleasantly surprised by the simplicity of it, the ability to be able to chill your beer and drink at the same time was an over all plus on my check list. I’m also a dad who enjoys his little gadgets around the home and relish the idea that I can have anything that can better my enjoyment of beer. Price wise I’m a bit stunted by their price tag an feel that that should be looked at, but for a man who has everything or a dad with his own bar, I’d say jump on the chance to show your friends and use one of these awesome accessories.

I threw these in the freezer and tested them with a bottle (or 4) of Bavaria Wit, after around, I’d say 2 hours of chores and work I decided to give these bad boys a trial.

Pros:

Easy to install

aesthetically pleasing to look at 

rapid cooling of my beer

perfect fit

Cons

You have to make space for your chilsner, so a sip or two was needed pre launch.

I would liked to have seen a cap to go over the mouthpiece 

All in all since this experiment Ive changed the way in which I drink, When I’m out with friends I order myself a non-alcoholic beer and even from time to time I’ll pop one open when I’m relaxing at home after a hectic day with my daughter. I wouldn’t say I’ve completely switched sides, as I do enjoy the intoxicating feel from time to time of a full headed Beer but as an alternative to my programmed lifestyle I’m happy in the knowledge that I’ve found a different route to go down. I also enjoy the reaped benefits of this low calorie, heavy taste alternative… losing 20 lbs since the switched has really helped me to see the broader picture for the future and rearrange my ideology to Daisy-Ella’s. I’m going to be around for longer and be better for it.

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