Samuel Adams Non-Alcoholic 6Pk Cans

Samuel Adams Non-Alcoholic 6Pk Cans (Just the Haze) is a non-alcoholic IPA from Boston Beer Company, sold in a 6-pack of 12 oz cans at 0.5% ABV. This expression took home Gold Medals at the Great American Beer Festival in both 2021 and 2022, establishing it as one of the most decorated non-alcoholic beers in the United States.

Quick Facts: ABV: 0.5%  |  Origin: Massachusetts, USA  |  Style: Non-Alcoholic IPA  |  Brewery: Boston Beer Company

Production & Heritage

Boston Beer Company, founded in 1984 by Jim Koch, developed Just the Haze over two years of dedicated R&D that included consultation with leading brewing scientists globally, including those at Germany's Weihenstephan — one of the oldest breweries in the world. The brewing team reviewed hundreds of yeast strains before arriving at a proprietary method that involves brewing a full-strength beer, then slowly removing the alcohol post-fermentation. The grain bill features Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend, White Wheat, and Golden Naked Oats, while the hop profile draws from four varieties — Citra, Mosaic, Sabro, and Cascade — chosen for their intense citrus and tropical aromatics.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Grapefruit and tangerine lead the nose, followed by tropical layers of pineapple, guava, and passion fruit. A subtle earthiness rounds out the hop-forward bouquet.

Taste: The entry is juicy with bold citrus and mango, transitioning through stone fruit and cantaloupe at mid-palate. The mouthfeel is fuller than most non-alcoholic beers, with the Golden Naked Oats lending a smooth, slightly creamy body that carries the hop character convincingly.

Finish: Clean and moderate in length, with lingering tropical fruit and minimal bitterness. The golden, hazy appearance carries through to a balanced close that avoids the thin, watery fade common in the NA category.

How to Drink Just the Haze

Best served chilled, straight from the can or poured into an IPA glass to release the aromatic hop oils. A Hop Water Spritz works well — pour over ice with a splash of grapefruit soda to amplify the citrus character. A Shandy made with fresh lemonade plays off the tropical notes without adding alcohol. For a more inventive serve, a NA Michelada using Just the Haze with lime juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire builds savory depth against the hop-forward base.

Best For

• IPA drinkers participating in Dry January or Sober October
• Post-workout or midday refreshment when you want hop flavor without alcohol
• Hosting guests who prefer not to drink but still want a craft beer experience
• Stocking a home fridge alongside full-strength options for flexible entertaining

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Just the Haze taste like? Just the Haze delivers a juicy, hop-forward flavor profile dominated by citrus, mango, and tropical fruit with a smooth, full body and a clean finish. It reads closer to a session IPA than a typical non-alcoholic beer.

How does Just the Haze compare to Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA? Both are leading NA IPAs, but Just the Haze leans more tropical and juicy with its Citra, Mosaic, Sabro, and Cascade hop combination, while Run Wild tends toward a more traditional West Coast bitterness and lighter body. Just the Haze has earned GABF Gold in the NA category twice (2021, 2022), while Run Wild has also medaled at major competitions.

Is Just the Haze good for IPA lovers going alcohol-free? Yes — the two-year development process and four-hop bill produce a flavor complexity that closely mirrors a full-strength hazy IPA, making it one of the most convincing NA options for hop enthusiasts.

Where is Just the Haze made? Just the Haze is brewed by Boston Beer Company, which operates facilities in Boston, Massachusetts; Cincinnati, Ohio; and the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania. The recipe was developed with input from brewing scientists at Germany's Weihenstephan.

What foods pair well with Just the Haze? Fish tacos with mango salsa complement the tropical hop notes. Spicy Thai curry is tempered by the smooth body. A citrus-dressed arugula salad echoes the grapefruit aromatics. Grilled shrimp skewers match the light, juicy character. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese contrasts the fruity hops effectively.

What sizes does Just the Haze come in? Just the Haze is widely available in a 6-pack of 12 oz cans, which is the standard retail format for this expression.

Is Just the Haze worth the price? Just the Haze positions as a premium non-alcoholic craft beer, and its multiple gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and recognition at the World Beer Cup (Silver 2023) and World Beer Awards (Gold 2024) support its standing at the top of the NA IPA category.

Why Just the Haze?

Few non-alcoholic beers arrive with the competitive résumé of Just the Haze — consecutive GABF Gold Medals in 2021 and 2022, a World Beer Cup Silver in 2023, and a World Beer Awards Gold in 2024 for No & Low Alc IPA. The grain bill of two-row pale malt, White Wheat, and Golden Naked Oats builds a body and mouthfeel that most NA beers cannot match, while the quadruple hop combination delivers genuine IPA aromatics rather than a pale imitation. Two years of development alongside world-class brewing scientists resulted in a slow alcohol-removal process that preserves hop volatiles other methods strip away. In a rapidly expanding non-alcoholic category, this remains one of the few expressions that earns respect from committed IPA drinkers.