Guinness 0 Review – When Alcohol-Free Feels Like Nothing’s Missing!
Finding a non-alcoholic beer that doesn’t feel like a compromise is a rare win, but Guinness 0.0 manages to pull off a bit of a magic trick. It’s for those times when you want the weight and the warmth of a stout—the kind of drink that feels like a meal in a glass—but you’re skipping the alcohol for the night. I’ve started keeping this in the fridge for the moments when I want to lean into that slow, rhythmic pour without the heavy head the next morning. It’s a remarkably faithful tribute to the original that proves you can keep the soul of the "black stuff" while staying completely sharp.
First Impressions
The can carries the familiar harp and deep blue accents, but it’s the sound that really matters. Cracking it open triggers the nitrogen widget with a signature hiss and thrum, releasing a surge of bubbles. It pours with that mesmerizing "surge and settle" effect, eventually forming a dark, ruby-black body topped with a dense, creamy, ivory head.
At a glance, it is indistinguishable from a standard draught, carrying that same inviting aroma of roasted coffee and bittersweet cocoa.
How it actually tastes
The mouthfeel is the standout here—it possesses that silky, velvet-like texture that makes Guinness famous. On the palate, you get the classic notes of toasted barley and dark chocolate, followed by a subtle, bready sweetness. Because it’s brewed using the same ingredients before the alcohol is gently filtered out, it retains the characteristic dry finish and a slight hop bitterness.
It feels substantial and smooth, lacking the watery thinness that plagues many other non-alcoholic beers.
A Small Ritual I Like
I still follow the "two-part pour" rule, even with the 0.0. I tilt a clean tulip glass at a 45-degree angle and pour until it’s about three-quarters full, then I set it down and wait. Watching the nitrogen bubbles cascade downward until the liquid is perfectly black is a meditative minute that forces me to slow down. Topping it off to create that slightly domed, creamy head makes the first sip feel like a proper event, turning a simple drink into a quiet, rewarding ceremony.
Things we like
The widget technology works perfectly, delivering the same creamy head and smooth texture as the alcoholic version.
It avoids being overly sweet or "worty," maintaining a sophisticated profile of coffee and dark chocolate.
At roughly 75 calories per can, it’s a much lighter way to enjoy a rich, flavorful stout.
From the pour to the glass lacing, it looks exactly like a standard pint, making it perfect for social settings.
It delivers a reliable, world-class stout experience that is accessible almost anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
How do they remove the alcohol without ruining the taste?
Guinness uses a "cold filtration" process. This allows the beer to be brewed normally first, and then the alcohol is filtered out without heating the liquid, which helps preserve the delicate roasted flavors.
Is it 0.0% or 0.5%?
It is labeled as 0.0%, meaning it contains significantly less than 0.5% ABV—essentially as close to zero as technically possible for a fermented beverage.
Does it contain caffeine?
While it has strong notes of coffee and roasted grains, there is no actual caffeine in Guinness 0.0; the flavors come entirely from the dark-roasted barley.