15 Low-Alcohol Beers That Go Big on Taste

Sure Russian imperials and barleywines are delicious winter warmers, but come summer you want a beer that goes big on taste without the added alcohol punch. In time for the long holiday weekend, Imbibe Magazine has rounded up a list of cool summer session brews. From a summery saison to a stout, these beers offer big flavor while staying under 5 percent ABV.

For more of the best liquid culture, click here.

1 of 15

Anchor Steam

1 of 16

First Slide

Previous Slide

@

Anchor Steam San Francisco, Calif. 4.9 percent ABV The flagship ale of one of the granddaddies of the American craft beer movement, this coppery-gold quaffer offers strong floral notes, some mild malty sweetness and a crisp bitterness that pairs perfectly with barbecued chicken.

7 Common Grilling Injuries And How To Avoid Them

LUCKYRICE Festival 2012 Recap

The Patrón Secret Dining Society Experience

'Stealth' Starbucks: Unbranded Store To Open In Macy's

McDonald's Israel 'Big America' Series Reviewed

The 10 Best Veggie Burgers to Make This Summer (SLIDESHOW)

Anchor Steam
San Francisco, Calif. 4.9 percent ABV
The flagship ale of one of the granddaddies of the American craft beer movement, this coppery-gold quaffer offers strong floral notes, some mild malty sweetness and a crisp bitterness that pairs perfectly with barbecued chicken.

comments(50)

Total comments: 50 | Post a Comment

1 of 16

Rate This Slide

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

• 
  1
• 
  2
• 
  3
• 
  4
• 
  5
• 
  6
• 
  7
• 
  8
• 
  9
• 
  10

Current Top 5 Slides

loading...

Choose your Top 5 Slides

UserName

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Top User Slides

← Prev|Next →

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Users who voted on this slide

← Prev|Next →

loading...

 

Follow Tracy Howard on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@imbibe

Comments

[robertbeal]

05:57 PM on 07/21/2010

Hamms, 30-pack, $15.19 non-cooler

[ecotopian]

12:09 PM on 07/15/2010

If you want a low alcohol beer, try Anchor Steam's Small Beer http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beers/smallbeer.htm At 3.3%, that's what I would call low.

I haven't tried it, I'm more of a barley wine, imperial stout fan.

[RRonin]

12:46 PM on 07/06/2010

I recommend Naughty Nellie's Golden Ale from Pike Brewing Co, Seattle, WA and Scrimshaw Pilsner from North Coast Brewing Co, Fort Bragg, CA.

[PixelMarxist]

11:38 AM on 07/05/2010

You create a list of low alcohol beers without including Guinness? Something's messed up with you...seriously.

[santiago sherwood]

03:52 PM on 07/05/2010

I don't know all of them but Bamberg was nasty, the anchor was ok, but Guiness has one of the best they need to update. I would a list of the 15 worst alcohol beers, They fill up the shelves at safeway.

[Badger84]

04:26 AM on 07/05/2010

Isn't low-alcohol beer a crime against humanity?

[KIVPossum]

03:28 AM on 07/05/2010

Funny that 4.5 and 4.9 are considered Low Alcohol. Until 30 years ago, most areas of the US considered that average, or even high. While I love beer, I want it at 6.5 or below. I drink because I like it, not to walk on my knees.

[TomCinIllinois]

03:15 PM on 07/04/2010

I am surprised by your definition of "low-alcohol" beers. Beers approaching 5% alcohol are pretty hefty, in post-Prohibition terms. There are certainly Belgian and other beers that achieve 10% alcohol or more, but they are the exception and not the rule.

Guinness Stout, depending on packaging, runs around 4.0-4.3% alcohol in the US, and, I am told, less in Ireland. It is also relatively low in calories and likely could be marketed as a light beer, were that not marketing suicide. That, I think, should reset your standards for judging what constitutes a low-alcohol beer.

Anchor Steam, low-alcohol! Indeed.

[StephenJK]

08:06 AM on 07/04/2010

Hoegaarden FTW.

These beers are "low alcohol", but, a 6-pack will have you buzzing around the room. I only do 6packs or more any given session. Gotta have that buzz!

[Aerows]

01:06 PM on 07/04/2010

I've never tried Grand Cru, but it sounds like something I need to pick up the next time I'm around specialty beer stores.

Thanks for the suggestion :)

[Bruckley]

08:46 PM on 07/03/2010

I invented alcohol-free whisky but it wasn't a success. :(

[Kenyatta J Yamel]

08:14 PM on 07/03/2010

What is the point of low alcohol beer? If I want low alcohol I'll start drinking cough syrup. Give me high alcohol beer, please.

[b2112g]

07:28 PM on 07/03/2010

This list is pretty exclusive and pretentious. I wish the author had included more common beers that are available nation-wide. This list does not reflect the beers that are available and affordable in my community.

[cityhix]

02:59 AM on 07/04/2010

Yeah, what about an ice cold PBR or Budweiser? Tecate, Pacifico? Hell, Busch Light will do in a pinch (again ice cold and drink it fast).

[Aerows]

01:13 PM on 07/04/2010

Red Stripe is delicious.

[Aerows]

01:08 PM on 07/04/2010

Anchor Steam is far from exclusive. Don't knock enjoying beer. It's like enjoying everything else, including music - you will like some and hate some, but that doesn't mean that the people who savor it are "pretentious". It just means they have more experience with the subject in many cases.

[Baculus]

06:47 PM on 07/03/2010

A list of some decent brews, and man, I do love me some Anchor Steam!

[gussygoat]

04:55 PM on 07/03/2010

Bull honkey. I want real booze in my drinks. Especially since BP ruined my state.

[Mike Newell]

04:50 PM on 07/03/2010

Where the Flying Fish Summer ale?

[Counterglow]

04:50 PM on 07/03/2010

I'm surprised you didn't mention any of a dozen Canadian specialty beers. And for a non-alcoholic beer (I think it's .2 percent) that doesn't taste like dishwater, I'd highly recommend a German beer by Beck's.