Athletic Free Wave Non-Alcoholic 6Pk

Athletic Free Wave Non-Alcoholic 6Pk is a hazy IPA brewed by Athletic Brewing Co. at less than 0.5% ABV, sold as a six-pack of 12 oz cans. This expression earned a Gold medal at the 2019 US Open Beer Championship and another Gold at the 2020 International Beer Challenge, establishing it as one of the most decorated non-alcoholic IPAs on the market.

Quick Facts: ABV: <0.5%  |  Origin: Milford, Connecticut, USA  |  Style: Hazy IPA  |  Brewery: Athletic Brewing Co.  |  IBU: 50

Production & Heritage

Athletic Brewing Co. was founded in Stratford, Connecticut and now operates out of Milford, CT. Unlike many non-alcoholic beer producers that brew a full-strength beer and strip the alcohol out afterward, Athletic uses a proprietary process that keeps the ABV below 0.5% from the start of fermentation. Temperature and other brewing variables are closely monitored throughout, preserving hop character that post-fermentation dealcoholization methods often sacrifice. Free Wave is built on a grain bill of malted barley and wheat, then heavily dry-hopped with Amarillo, Citra, and Mosaic — three of the most sought-after American hop varieties in modern craft brewing. At 50 IBUs, it carries noticeably more bitterness than Athletic's other flagship IPA, Run Wild, which sits at 35 IBUs.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright tropical orange peel and tangerine lead immediately, followed by ripe grapefruit and a subtle floral undertone from the Mosaic hops. The nose reads like a well-made hazy IPA with no telltale signs of an NA brew.

Taste: The entry is smooth and juicy with a wave of tangerine and grapefruit hitting the front palate. Mid-palate, a soft herbaceous quality emerges — pine resin and florals provide structure and complexity. The bitterness is assertive for a non-alcoholic beer at 50 IBUs but remains balanced by the wheat-driven body and tropical fruit sweetness.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering citrus pith and a clean, crisp pine note. The mouthfeel stays velvety throughout, avoiding the thin or watery quality that plagues many NA beers.

How to Drink Free Wave

Free Wave is best served cold, between 38–45°F, poured into a tulip glass or standard pint to let the hop aromatics open up. It drinks well straight from the can for casual settings. For NA mixed drinks, try a Hop Shandy — combine Free Wave with fresh lemonade for a citrus-forward summer cooler. A Grapefruit Radler pairs Free Wave with sparkling grapefruit juice, amplifying the existing citrus character. For a bolder option, use Free Wave as the base in a Michelada, where the hop bitterness stands up to lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire.

Best For

• IPA drinkers doing Dry January or cutting back on alcohol without sacrificing hop-forward flavor
• Post-workout or mid-week occasions when a full-strength beer is not ideal
• Hosting gatherings where guests who avoid alcohol still want a serious craft beer option
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast exploring the non-alcoholic category

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Free Wave taste like? Free Wave delivers bold tangerine and grapefruit upfront with a smooth, juicy body and a secondary layer of pine and florals. It finishes clean with moderate hop bitterness at 50 IBUs.

How does Free Wave compare to Run Wild? Both are non-alcoholic IPAs from Athletic Brewing, but Free Wave is a hazy IPA at 50 IBUs with tropical, juicy character, while Run Wild is a classic West Coast-style IPA with a crisper hop bite and lower bitterness at 35 IBUs. Fans of one typically enjoy the other, though Free Wave skews softer and more fruit-forward.

Is Free Wave good for sipping on its own? Free Wave holds up well on its own thanks to its full-bodied mouthfeel and layered hop profile, making it one of the most satisfying standalone NA beers available. It does not taste like a compromise or a diluted version of a regular IPA.

Where is Free Wave made? Free Wave is brewed by Athletic Brewing Co. in Milford, Connecticut. The brewery was originally established in nearby Stratford, CT before relocating operations.

What foods pair well with Free Wave? Fish tacos work well — the citrus hops complement lime and cilantro. Spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes benefit from the beer's juicy sweetness offsetting heat. Grilled chicken with a citrus marinade echoes the tangerine notes. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheeses contrast the tropical fruit character. A classic burger with pickles and mustard pairs naturally with the hop bitterness.

What sizes does Free Wave come in? Free Wave is commonly available in 6-packs and 12-packs of 12 oz cans, and Athletic Brewing also offers variety packs that include Free Wave alongside other styles.

Is Free Wave worth the price? Free Wave positions in the premium tier of non-alcoholic craft beers, and its dual Gold medals from the International Beer Challenge and US Open Beer Championship reflect a level of quality that justifies the positioning. For drinkers seeking a legitimate hazy IPA experience without alcohol, it represents strong value within the NA category.

Why Free Wave?

Free Wave stands apart from most non-alcoholic beers because Athletic Brewing never brews it to full strength and then removes the alcohol — the proprietary low-ABV fermentation process retains hop oils and flavor compounds that reverse-osmosis or vacuum distillation methods can destroy. The combination of Amarillo, Citra, and Mosaic hops at 50 IBUs delivers genuine hazy IPA complexity, not a watered-down approximation. With Gold medals at both the 2019 US Open Beer Championship and the 2020 International Beer Challenge, plus an 86 rating on BeerAdvocate from over 200 reviews, Free Wave has been validated by both judges and everyday drinkers. In a rapidly expanding NA beer market, it remains one of the few options that genuinely satisfies experienced craft beer palates.