Years Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale 6Pk

Years Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale 6Pk is a craft non-alcoholic pale ale brewed to 0.5% ABV and sold in a six-pack format. What sets this NA beer apart is its production approach: rather than brewing a full-strength beer and stripping out the alcohol, the Years team uses a maltose-negative Lutra Kveik yeast strain that naturally limits alcohol production during fermentation, preserving hop flavor and malt body from the start.

Quick Facts: ABV: 0.5%  |  Origin: Chicago & Milwaukee, USA  |  Style: Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Pilot Project Brewing Facilities

Production & Heritage

Years was founded in 2024 by Pat Corcoran, Dan Abel (CEO of Pilot Project Brewing), and Noah Armstrong, with production split between Pilot Project facilities in Chicago and Milwaukee. The grain bill layers Munich and Vienna malts with Caramel 40, Caramunich I, flaked oats, and golden naked oats—a combination designed to give the beer enough body to stand alongside full-strength pale ales. Cascade, Citra, and Centennial hops deliver the classic American pale ale hop profile, while the Lutra Kveik yeast ferments cleanly without generating significant alcohol, avoiding the hollow flavor common in dealcoholized beers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Citrus zest leads, followed by light pine resin and a subtle layer of toasted grain. The hop aromatics are vivid but not aggressive, closer to a session pale ale than an IPA.

Taste: The entry is bright with grapefruit-like hop snap and citrus peel, immediately establishing the pale ale identity. Mid-palate, a gentle malt backbone built on oats and Munich malt adds enough weight to prevent the beer from feeling thin. Bitterness is measured—present and satisfying without dominating.

Finish: Clean and lightly dry, with lingering hop bitterness that fades gradually rather than disappearing abruptly. A faint floral quality carries through the close, leaving a balanced impression that invites another sip.

How to Drink Years Pale Ale

Pour cold into a pint glass or shaker to let the hop aromatics open up; this beer benefits from the same treatment you would give any American pale ale. Drink it straight from the can if the moment calls for something quick and casual. For a non-alcoholic Shandy, combine it with fresh lemonade—the grapefruit notes amplify the citrus. A Michelada works well here too, since the clean hop bitterness pairs naturally with lime, hot sauce, and Tajín. You can also use it in a Beer Margarita float, where the pale ale's brightness adds complexity without adding alcohol to an already-spirited drink.

Best For

• Dry January participants who refuse to sacrifice hop flavor
• Post-workout or mid-week refreshment when a full-strength beer isn't ideal
• Stocking a home fridge for guests who don't drink alcohol but appreciate craft beer
• Tailgates and barbecues where the day is long and staying sharp matters

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Years Pale Ale taste like? It leads with bright grapefruit and citrus peel hop character from Cascade, Citra, and Centennial hops, supported by a toasty oat-and-Munich-malt backbone that keeps the body from feeling watery. The finish is clean and lightly dry with a pleasant lingering bitterness.

How does Years Pale Ale compare to Athletic Brewing? Athletic Brewing's flagship Run Wild IPA leans slightly more bitter and piney, while Years Pale Ale emphasizes citrus brightness and a softer malt texture thanks to its oat-heavy grain bill. Years also differs in process—it uses a maltose-negative yeast to limit alcohol rather than removing alcohol after fermentation.

Is Years Pale Ale good for people new to non-alcoholic beer? Yes—its familiar American pale ale flavor profile makes it immediately approachable for anyone who already enjoys craft beer, and its balanced bitterness avoids the off-flavors sometimes found in dealcoholized products.

Where is Years Pale Ale made? Years Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale is brewed at Pilot Project Brewing facilities in Chicago and Milwaukee, Illinois and Wisconsin respectively. The brand was founded in 2024 by Pat Corcoran, Dan Abel, and Noah Armstrong.

What foods pair well with Years Pale Ale? Grilled chicken tacos benefit from the citrus hop notes cutting through charred fat. Fish and chips match well because the dry finish cleanses the palate between bites. A sharp cheddar or aged Gouda echoes the toasty malt notes. Spicy Thai green curry pairs nicely, as the grapefruit brightness cools the heat. A simple margherita pizza lets the hop character shine without competing flavors.

What sizes does Years Pale Ale come in? Years Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale is available in a six-pack format, which is the brand's standard retail configuration.

Is Years Pale Ale worth the price? Years positions in the premium craft NA segment, competing directly with established names like Athletic Brewing. The distinctive production method using Kveik yeast rather than dealcoholization delivers a noticeably fuller flavor that justifies the craft price point for drinkers who find mainstream NA beers lacking.

Why Years Pale Ale?

The defining differentiator here is the brewing process. Most non-alcoholic beers start as regular beer and then undergo vacuum distillation or reverse osmosis to strip alcohol, often losing volatile hop aromatics and malt complexity in the process. Years avoids that trade-off entirely by fermenting with a Lutra Kveik strain that cannot metabolize maltose, meaning alcohol never reaches meaningful levels in the first place. The result is a pale ale that retains the Cascade, Citra, and Centennial hop personality you would expect from a craft brewery operating at full strength. For a brand launched in 2024, the pedigree behind it—Pilot Project's established brewing infrastructure and the team's industry experience—gives it a credibility that many NA newcomers lack.