Clausthauler Santa Non-Alcoholic 6Pk

Clausthaler Santa Non-Alcoholic 6Pk is a festive German non-alcoholic malt beverage blended with cranberry and cinnamon, packaged as a six-pack at under 0.5% ABV. Described by Clausthaler as a first-of-its-kind holiday brew, this seasonal release earned an 85 on BeerAdvocate — a strong showing in the non-alcoholic category.

Quick Facts: ABV: <0.5% (0.45%)  |  Origin: Frankfurt, Germany  |  Style: Non-Alcoholic Cranberry-Cinnamon Radler-Style Blend  |  Brewery: Binding Brauerei AG

Production & Heritage

Binding Brauerei AG, based in Frankfurt am Main, has long been the home of the Clausthaler brand — one of Germany's most recognized non-alcoholic beer producers. Clausthaler Santa is built on the brewery's patented Controlled Fermentation process, which halts fermentation just before significant alcohol develops, preserving malt character without relying on post-fermentation dealcoholization. What makes this expression unusual is its 50/50 blend: half Clausthaler non-alcoholic malt beverage (water, barley malt, hop extract, carbon dioxide) and half cranberry-cinnamon drink (water, sugar, natural flavors, citric acid, carbon dioxide), resulting in a radler-style hybrid rather than a traditional beer.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fruity and spicy from the outset, with cranberry and cinnamon arriving together in a wave that recalls mulled wine or glühwein. The malt base provides a subtle bready undertone beneath the holiday spice.

Taste: The entry is lightly sweet, leaning toward cinnamon warmth rather than sugary confection. Mid-palate brings a mild cranberry tartness that balances the malt sweetness effectively, landing somewhere between a spiced cider and a ginger ale — though with cinnamon standing in for ginger. The overall impression is radler-like: refreshing, light, and accessible.

Finish: Medium-light body gives way to a fairly dry close with lingering spice that fades cleanly. Carbonation stays active through the finish, adding a pleasant zing without residual heaviness.

How to Drink Clausthaler Santa

This brew is best served well chilled, straight from the bottle or poured into a pilsner glass to showcase its carbonation. Its radler-style construction makes it a ready-to-drink option rather than a cocktail base, but it adapts to creative use. Try it as a non-alcoholic substitute in a Hot Toddy, gently warmed with a cinnamon stick — the cranberry-spice profile maps naturally onto the format. Use it as a mixer in a Virgin Shandy combined with fresh-squeezed lemonade for a lighter, more citrus-forward take. It also works in a Cranberry Spritz mocktail, topped with sparkling water and a twist of orange peel to extend the fruit notes.

Best For

• Holiday gatherings where guests include non-drinkers or designated drivers
• Stocking stuffers or seasonal gift packs for craft beer enthusiasts exploring NA options
• Advent calendar nights and tree-trimming parties as a festive, low-commitment sipper
• Anyone observing Dry January who still wants something with seasonal character

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clausthaler Santa taste like? Clausthaler Santa tastes like a lightly sweet, cinnamon-forward radler with mild cranberry tartness and a clean, dry finish. The spice profile recalls mulled wine or glühwein more than traditional beer.

How does Clausthaler Santa compare to Clausthaler Original? Clausthaler Original is a straightforward non-alcoholic lager built entirely on barley malt and hop extract, while Santa is a 50/50 blend that combines the NA malt base with a cranberry-cinnamon drink, creating a radler-style hybrid. The Original is drier and more hop-driven; the Santa skews sweeter, fruitier, and distinctly seasonal.

Is Clausthaler Santa good for holiday entertaining? It is an excellent option for holiday entertaining, especially for guests who want a festive, seasonal beverage without alcohol. The cranberry-cinnamon flavor profile feels occasion-appropriate and requires no mixing or preparation.

Where is Clausthaler Santa made? Clausthaler Santa is brewed by Binding Brauerei AG in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The brewery produces the full Clausthaler non-alcoholic range using its patented Controlled Fermentation process.

What foods pair well with Clausthaler Santa? Gingerbread cookies and spiced holiday baked goods echo the cinnamon notes naturally. Brie or Camembert with cranberry compote mirrors the fruit element. Roast turkey or glazed ham pairs well, as the carbonation and tartness cut through richness. Cinnamon-sugar churros lean into the spice theme, and mixed nuts with dried cranberries make a simple, complementary snack.

What sizes does Clausthaler Santa come in? Clausthaler Santa is commonly available in a six-pack of 11.2 oz (330 ml) bottles, the standard format for imported German non-alcoholic brews.

Is Clausthaler Santa worth the price? Clausthaler Santa positions as a seasonal, specialty non-alcoholic offering and is priced in line with other imported NA six-packs. Its unique 50/50 blended format and limited holiday availability give it novelty value that justifies its entry-level premium positioning within the NA beer category.

Why Clausthaler Santa?

The 50/50 blend of non-alcoholic malt beverage and cranberry-cinnamon drink makes this a genuinely unusual product — not a flavored beer, but a radler-style hybrid that Clausthaler calls a first of its kind. Binding Brauerei's Controlled Fermentation process gives the malt half more authentic beer character than many NA competitors achieve through dealcoholization. An 85 on BeerAdvocate puts it ahead of the majority of seasonal non-alcoholic releases. For anyone seeking a holiday-appropriate NA option that goes beyond plain lager, Clausthaler Santa fills a niche that very few products occupy.