Athletic Run Wild Non-Alcoholic 12Pk

Athletic Run Wild Non-Alcoholic 12Pk is a 12-can pack of non-alcoholic IPA brewed to under 0.5% ABV by Athletic Brewing Company in Milford, Connecticut. Run Wild earned Gold at the 2018 International Beer Challenge and was named USA's Best Non-Alcoholic Beer at the 2018 World Beer Awards — rare recognition for an NA beer competing against a rapidly growing field.

Quick Facts: ABV: <0.5%  |  Origin: Milford, Connecticut, USA  |  Style: Non-Alcoholic IPA  |  Brewery: Athletic Brewing Company  |  IBU: 35  |  Format: 12-Pack Cans

Production & Heritage

Athletic Brewing Company has built its reputation exclusively around non-alcoholic beer, an unusual commitment in craft brewing. Run Wild is produced using a proprietary method involving roughly a dozen modifications to the traditional brewing process — crucially, no alcohol is removed after fermentation, and no artificial ingredients are added to compensate. The grain bill combines organic Vienna malt sourced from the US and Germany with malted barley, wheat, and oats, while a blend of five Northwest hops provides the IPA character. The beer is fully fermented but reaches only under 0.5% ABV by design, not by stripping.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Zesty orange peel leads the nose, followed by floral and lightly piney hop notes. A gentle malt sweetness sits underneath, grounding the citrus-forward aromatics.

Taste: The entry is crisp and clean, with the five-hop blend delivering an approachable bitterness that registers at 35 IBUs — enough to satisfy IPA drinkers without overwhelming the palate. Mid-palate, organic Vienna malt introduces a subtle sweetness and bready depth that balances the hop bite. The overall impression is medium-bodied and well-structured for a non-alcoholic beer.

Finish: Dry and refreshing with lingering citrus and a light herbal bitterness. The finish is clean rather than cloying, avoiding the residual sweetness that plagues many NA beers.

How to Drink Run Wild

Run Wild drinks best straight from a chilled can or poured into a pint glass at around 38–42°F to let the hop aromatics open up. It also works surprisingly well as a base for low-ABV or zero-proof cocktails: try it in a Hop Shandy with fresh lemonade and a sprig of rosemary for a bright warm-weather drink; use it in a Michelada with lime juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire for a savory brunch option; or build a NA Radler by combining it half-and-half with grapefruit juice to amplify the citrus character.

Best For

• IPA fans participating in Dry January or Sober October who refuse to sacrifice hop flavor
• Post-workout or midweek refreshment when a full-strength beer isn't practical
• Stocking a home bar or cooler for guests who prefer non-alcoholic options
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast exploring the NA category for the first time

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Run Wild taste like? Run Wild delivers a crisp, citrus-forward hop profile with zesty orange aromatics, moderate bitterness at 35 IBUs, and a subtle malt sweetness from organic Vienna malt. The overall character is clean and refreshing with enough complexity to appeal to regular IPA drinkers.

How does Run Wild compare to BrewDog Punk AF? Both are non-alcoholic IPAs under 0.5% ABV, but Run Wild leans into a more balanced, malt-supported bitterness with its five-hop Northwest blend, while Punk AF tends toward a lighter body with sharper tropical hop notes. Run Wild also holds a 2018 International Beer Challenge Gold medal and a World Beer Awards Gold, giving it stronger competition credentials in the NA category.

Is Run Wild good for sipping on its own? Yes — its medium body, real hop bitterness, and clean finish make it one of the most satisfying non-alcoholic IPAs to drink straight, whether from the can or poured into a glass.

Where is Run Wild made? Run Wild is brewed by Athletic Brewing Company at their facility in Milford, Connecticut. Athletic is one of the few breweries in the United States dedicated entirely to producing non-alcoholic craft beer.

What foods pair well with Run Wild? Grilled chicken or fish tacos complement the citrus hop character nicely. Spicy Thai noodles work well against the beer's clean bitterness. A sharp cheddar or aged Gouda echoes the malty sweetness, while a simple garden salad with citrus vinaigrette mirrors the zesty aromatics. Burgers off the grill are a natural, classic match.

What sizes does Run Wild come in? This listing is for the 12-pack of cans. Run Wild is also commonly available in 6-packs and single cans, making it easy to sample before committing to a larger format.

Is Run Wild worth the price? Run Wild positions as a premium non-alcoholic craft beer, priced above mass-market NA options but competitive within the craft NA segment. Given its multiple international awards and proprietary brewing process that avoids alcohol removal, it represents strong value for drinkers seeking genuine IPA character without the alcohol.

Why Run Wild?

What separates Run Wild from the growing crowd of non-alcoholic IPAs is Athletic Brewing's refusal to take shortcuts. Rather than brewing a standard beer and stripping the alcohol — a process that often strips flavor along with it — the brewery engineered a proprietary method that fully ferments the beer to under 0.5% ABV from the start. That approach, combined with five distinct Northwest hop varieties and organic malts, earned Run Wild Gold at both the 2018 International Beer Challenge and the World Beer Awards, plus a 2020 World Beer Award Gold in the Pale Beer category. For anyone who has written off non-alcoholic beer as flavorless, this 12-pack is a direct challenge to that assumption.