Big Drop Galactic Dark Non-Alcoholic 6Pk

Big Drop Galactic Dark Non-Alcoholic 6Pk is a gold-medal-winning non-alcoholic dark beer brewed at 0.5% ABV, sold as a six-pack of 330ml cans. It took Gold at the 2023 World Alcohol-Free Awards and Bronze at the 2023 World Beer Cup in the Non-Alcohol Beer category, cementing its reputation as one of the most decorated NA stouts available.

Quick Facts: ABV: 0.5%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois (US brewing) / London, England (HQ)  |  Style: Non-Alcoholic Dark Beer  |  Brewery: Big Drop Brewing Co.  |  35 IBU  |  ~102 Calories  |  Gluten Free

Production & Heritage

Big Drop Brewing Co. was founded in 2016 in London by Rob Fink and James Kindred with a singular focus: brewing beer at or below 0.5% ABV from the ground up, rather than stripping alcohol from a full-strength base. For the US market, Galactic Dark is brewed at Great Central Brewing in Chicago. What distinguishes this expression is the use of Ghanaian cacao sourced from TCHO Chocolate, added "hot-side" during the brew — a deliberate departure from the more common cold-side cacao addition most breweries use after fermentation. The grain bill incorporates barley malt, oats, rye, and lactose alongside Bramling Cross hops, building body and richness that belies its near-zero alcohol content.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Moderately roasted malt leads, followed by oatmeal porridge and a distinct cocoa presence. A gentle lactose sweetness rounds out the nose without becoming cloying.

Taste: The palate opens with dark chocolate and burnt roasty malt, settling into a smooth mid-palate of oatmeal and cocoa. Lactose provides a creamy, full texture, while medium hop bitterness at 35 IBU prevents the sweetness from dominating. The overall impression is rich and decadent — frequently described as honeycomb dipped in chocolate.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering roasted grain and a balancing hop bitterness that dries the palate cleanly. A faint cocoa note lingers as the lactose sweetness fades.

How to Drink Galactic Dark

Pour into a tulip glass or nonic pint at around 45–50°F to let the chocolate and roasted malt aromas open fully. It drinks beautifully on its own and requires no garnish or accompaniment. For non-alcoholic cocktail builds, try a NA Espresso Martini — the cocoa backbone pairs naturally with cold-brew coffee and simple syrup; a Dark & Stormy Float — topped over vanilla ice cream, the roasty bitterness cuts through the sweetness; or a Shandy Noir — mixed half-and-half with ginger beer for a spiced, effervescent twist on the dark beer float.

Best For

• Stout lovers seeking a full-flavored non-alcoholic alternative
• Dry January or Sober October participants who refuse to compromise on taste
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast exploring the NA category
• Dessert course pairing at dinner parties where alcohol-free options are needed

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Galactic Dark taste like? Galactic Dark delivers a rich, roasted malt and dark chocolate profile with a creamy body from lactose and oats, balanced by moderate hop bitterness. It tastes like a full-bodied milk stout despite containing just 0.5% ABV.

How does Galactic Dark compare to Samuel Adams Just the Haze? Samuel Adams Just the Haze is a non-alcoholic pale ale with citrus hop character, while Galactic Dark is a roasty, chocolate-forward dark beer — they occupy entirely different style categories within the NA space. Both earned medals at the 2023 World Beer Cup in the Non-Alcohol Beer category (Bronze for Galactic Dark, Silver for Just the Haze), making them two of the most critically recognized NA beers in the US.

Is Galactic Dark good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the combination of cacao, roasted malt, and lactose creaminess makes it one of the more satisfying NA beers to drink neat from a glass, especially for anyone who enjoys traditional stouts or porters.

Where is Galactic Dark made? Big Drop Brewing Co. is headquartered in London, England, where it was founded in 2016. For the US market, Galactic Dark is brewed at Great Central Brewing in Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Galactic Dark? Dark chocolate truffles amplify the cacao in the beer; smoked brisket stands up to the roasted malt intensity; aged cheddar contrasts with the lactose sweetness; vanilla bean ice cream creates a classic float-style combination; and salted caramel brownies mirror the sweet-bitter balance of the brew.

What sizes does Galactic Dark come in? This product is available as a six-pack of 330ml cans, which is the standard format for Big Drop's US retail offerings.

Is Galactic Dark worth the price? Galactic Dark positions as a premium non-alcoholic craft beer, and its multiple international medals — including Gold at the 2023 World Alcohol-Free Awards and a World Beer Cup Bronze — justify its place above mass-market NA options in both quality and price tier.

Why Galactic Dark?

The hot-side cacao addition using single-origin Ghanaian beans from TCHO Chocolate is a production choice almost no other NA brewery makes, and it results in a more integrated, less powdery chocolate character than cold-side alternatives. Multiple international awards — Gold at the 2023 World Alcohol-Free Awards, Bronze at the 2023 World Beer Cup, and the 2020 World's Best Flavoured Beer (Low Strength) title — back up the drinking experience with verified critical recognition. At 0.5% ABV with only about 102 calories per can and certified gluten-free status, it removes nearly every barrier that keeps stout fans from enjoying dark beer on any occasion. In a rapidly expanding NA beer market, Galactic Dark remains one of the few expressions that genuinely replicates the weight and complexity of a traditional milk stout.