Krombacher

The Schadeberg family has steered Krombacher since 1922, and they still own it today. That family continuity shows in their approach. They brew according to the Reinheitsgebot, Germany's famous purity law, using just four ingredients: water, hops, malt and yeast. Their water comes from the Felsquellwasser rock spring, a naturally soft source discovered in 1722 that gives their beers a clean, crisp foundation.

Krombacher built its reputation on pilsner. Their flagship Krombacher Pils ranks as the second most consumed pilsner in Germany, a position they've held through consistent quality rather than flashy innovation. The same attention now extends to their alcohol-free range.

Two AF options headline the lineup. The Krombacher 0.0% Pilsner delivers what you'd expect from German precision: bright golden colour, balanced malt character, light Hallertau hop aromas, and that trademark clean finish. At 21 IBU, it's sessionable without being bland. The Weizen Non-Alcoholic (0.5%) offers something different. It's a proper wheat beer with fruity, effervescent character and that distinctive cloudy pour.

In the UK, you're more likely to find Krombacher through specialist AF retailers than mainstream supermarkets. Dry Drinker and similar online shops stock both varieties. The pilsner comes in 330ml bottles, the weizen in 500ml. Neither breaks the bank.

Krombacher represents old-school German brewing applied to the alcohol-free category. No gimmicks, no dramatic origin story about a founder who quit drinking. Just a 220-year-old brewery doing what it does well, now in 0.0% form.