O'Doul's, a popular brand of non-alcoholic beer, is often associated with the term “near beer.” This term refers to beverages that are brewed like regular beer but undergo a process to remove the alcohol content. So, while O'Doul's is technically classified as a non-alcoholic beer, it does contain a very low amount of alcohol.
The brewing process of O'Doul's is similar to that of regular lagers. It starts with the fermentation of malted barley, water, and hops, which produces alcohol. However, in the case of O'Doul's, the alcohol is then removed using a low-temperature distillation process. This process ensures that the majority of the alcohol is removed, resulting in an extremely low alcohol by volume (ABV) of about 0.4%.
To put this into perspective, a typical beer can have an ABV ranging from 4% to 8% or even higher for certain craft brews. So, the alcohol content in O'Doul's is significantly lower compared to regular beers. In fact, it is roughly on par with the alcohol content found in a bottle of kombucha, which is a fermented tea beverage.
It's important to note that while O'Doul's has a very low alcohol content, it is not completely alcohol-free. This means that consuming large quantities of O'Doul's can still result in some alcohol intake, especially if you are particularly sensitive to alcohol or have certain health conditions that require complete abstinence.
In my personal experience as a sommelier and brewer, I have encountered individuals who choose to consume non-alcoholic beers like O'Doul's for various reasons. Some people prefer the taste and ritual of drinking beer but want to avoid the effects of alcohol. Others may be designated drivers or individuals who need to abstain from alcohol due to medical or personal reasons. Non-alcoholic beers like O'Doul's can provide a satisfying alternative in these situations.
To summarize, O'Doul's is a non-alcoholic beer that goes through a brewing process similar to regular lagers before the alcohol is removed using a low-temperature distillation process. This results in a very low ABV of about 0.4%, making it suitable for individuals who wish to enjoy the taste of beer without consuming significant amounts of alcohol.