Clausthauler Non-Alcoholic Lager 6Pk

Clausthaler Non-Alcoholic Lager 6Pk is a German-brewed non-alcoholic lager at 0.5% ABV, sold as a six-pack of bottles. Recognized as the world's first non-alcoholic beer when it launched in 1979, this lager earned Gold medals at the World Beer Awards in both 2013 and 2015, establishing it as one of the benchmark expressions in the NA beer category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 0.5%  |  Origin: Frankfurt, Germany  |  Style: Non-Alcoholic Lager  |  Brewery: Binding-Brauerei AG (Radeberger Gruppe)

Production & Heritage

Clausthaler is brewed at Binding-Brauerei AG in Frankfurt, Germany, a brewery now owned by the Radeberger Gruppe. What separates it from nearly every other NA beer on the market is its patented controlled fermentation process: rather than brewing a full-strength beer and stripping the alcohol out through dialysis or reverse osmosis, Clausthaler's method ensures minimal fermentable maltose is produced in the first place. The wort is then bottom-fermented with a specially cultured yeast strain that prevents significant alcohol formation, preserving more of the natural malt and hop character that conventional dealcoholization tends to diminish. The ingredient list is straightforward — water, barley malt, hop extract, hops, yeast, and natural carbon dioxide.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A sweet, malty bouquet of barley and fresh grains arrives first, followed by a floral, gently spicy hop character. Subtle hints of bread dough round out the nose.

Taste: The entry is smooth and lightly creamy, with bready malt sweetness taking the lead. Mid-palate, grassy and earthy notes emerge alongside mild fruity touches, while a restrained hop bitterness builds toward the peak without ever becoming aggressive.

Finish: Medium-short and clean, with lingering grain sweetness and a gentle hop dryness that encourages the next sip. A faint grassiness persists as the mild bitterness fades.

How to Drink Clausthaler

Serve well chilled, ideally between 38–42°F, in a standard pint glass or Pilsner glass to showcase the golden color and white foam head. Clausthaler also works as a direct non-alcoholic swap in beer-based mixed drinks: try it in a NA Michelada, where the malty body complements tomato juice and hot sauce; a Shandy-style blend with fresh lemonade, where the light sweetness harmonizes naturally; or a NA Beer Margarita, using it as a float over a frozen lime mixture for effervescence and malt depth.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar for guests who prefer alcohol-free options
• Post-workout or midday refreshment with full beer flavor
• Hosting barbecues or cookouts where a range of drinking preferences are present
• Dry January commitments or longer-term alcohol-free lifestyles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clausthaler taste like? Clausthaler delivers a bready, malty sweetness with grassy and earthy undertones, balanced by a mild hop bitterness. The overall impression is clean, smooth, and recognizably lager-like.

How does Clausthaler compare to Heineken 0.0? Clausthaler tends to lean more malt-forward and grainy, while Heineken 0.0 presents a slightly more fruity, sweet profile with a lighter body. Clausthaler also uses a controlled fermentation method that avoids alcohol formation, whereas Heineken 0.0 is brewed to full strength and then dealcoholized.

Is Clausthaler good for sipping on its own? Yes — the balanced malt sweetness and gentle bitterness make it one of the more satisfying non-alcoholic beers to drink straight from the bottle or poured into a glass, without needing cocktail additions to mask off-flavors.

Where is Clausthaler made? Clausthaler is brewed exclusively at Binding-Brauerei AG in Frankfurt, Germany, a facility owned by Radeberger Gruppe, one of Germany's largest brewing groups.

What foods pair well with Clausthaler? Grilled bratwurst or sausages complement the malty backbone; soft pretzels with mustard echo the bready grain character; lighter fare like grilled chicken salads works well against the clean finish; fish tacos match the lager's mild bitterness; and mild cheeses like Gouda or Havarti let the malt sweetness come through.

What sizes does Clausthaler come in? The most widely available format is a six-pack of bottles, which is the configuration represented here; single bottles and larger multi-packs may be available depending on the market.

Is Clausthaler worth the price? Clausthaler positions as a value-oriented, widely distributed non-alcoholic lager, and its World Beer Awards pedigree and patented brewing process give it a quality-to-price ratio that competes favorably within the growing NA beer segment.

Why Clausthaler?

Clausthaler holds a unique place in the NA beer world as the original — the first non-alcoholic beer released commercially in 1979. Its patented controlled fermentation process, which prevents alcohol from forming rather than removing it after the fact, preserves malt and hop integrity that many competitors sacrifice during dealcoholization. Multiple Gold medals at the World Beer Awards confirm that this isn't simply a legacy play; the liquid holds up against a field that has grown exponentially in recent years. For anyone seeking a non-alcoholic beer that actually tastes like beer, this Frankfurt-brewed lager remains a category reference point.