Best Non-Alcoholic Stout 2026 | UK Guide

The Best Non-Alcoholic Stouts Available in the UK

Stout is arguably the most challenging style to de-alcoholise. The roasted malt character, the creamy head, the velvety mouthfeel - these are qualities that depend on a complex interaction of ingredients and process that alcohol plays a bigger role in than most people realise. Getting it right without the ABV is genuinely difficult.

Which makes the progress in this category over the last few years all the more impressive. Guinness 0.0 changed the conversation when it launched, proving that a recognisable, authentic-tasting stout was possible at 0.0% ABV. Big Drop and Athletic Brewing have built their own takes. And then there’s IMPOSSIBREW - which sits in a slightly different lane entirely, for drinkers who want the ritual and relaxation of a dark beer without necessarily needing it to taste exactly like a Guinness.

This guide covers the best non-alcoholic stouts you can buy in the UK in 2026. We’ve been honest about what each one does well, what it falls short on, and who it’s best suited to.

Our Top Picks at a Glance

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The Reviews

1. Guinness 0.0 - The Benchmark

Let’s be direct: if you want a non-alcoholic stout that tastes like a stout, Guinness 0.0 is the answer. It’s the product that set the standard for the category when it launched, and it remains the most convincing de-alcoholised stout available in the UK.

Guinness uses a cold filtration process to remove the alcohol while preserving as much of the original character as possible. What you get is the familiar deep ruby-brown colour, the roasted barley bitterness, and a reasonable approximation of that signature mouthfeel. It’s not identical to the original - the body is slightly thinner and the creamy finish doesn’t linger quite as long - but it’s close enough that you won’t feel like you’re compromising.

At 0.0% ABV and around 70 kcal per 538ml can, it’s also lean and accessible. You can now find it in most major supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, M&S) and in a growing number of pubs on draught. Pricing is around £2.00 for a 538ml can, which is fair value given the brand recognition.

The main limitation is that it doesn’t offer anything beyond taste replication. There are no functional ingredients, no particular wellness angle, and no craft novelty. But if “tastes like a Guinness” is all you need, the job is done.

Read our full Guinness 0.0 review

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2. Big Drop Milk Stout - Best for Richness

Big Drop’s Milk Stout is a different animal from the Guinness. Where Guinness 0.0 goes for dry and classic, Big Drop leans into sweetness and body. The lactose (milk sugar) gives it a creamy, slightly sweet character that holds up well in a glass and pairs nicely with desserts or strong cheese.

At around 79 kcal per 330ml and 0.5% ABV, it’s competitive on calories for a stout-style beer. The roasted malt notes are there - coffee and dark chocolate come through clearly - but the profile is softer and more approachable than a traditional dry stout.

The caveat: it contains lactose, which means it’s not vegan and not suitable for those with dairy intolerances. This rules it out for a significant portion of the AF market. If that’s not a concern for you, Big Drop Milk Stout is one of the more interesting and satisfying options in the non-alcoholic dark beer category.

Available online through Dry Drinker, Wise Bartender, and the Big Drop website.

Read our full Big Drop review | IMPOSSIBREW vs Big Drop

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3. Athletic Brewing All Out Stout - Best Craft Option

Athletic Brewing’s All Out Stout is proof that a dedicated non-alcoholic brewery can produce a stout with genuine craft character. Brewed in the US specifically as an AF beer (not de-alcoholised after the fact), it has a depth and complexity that’s hard to achieve when you’re working backwards from an alcoholic stout.

The flavour profile leads with roasted malt, coffee bitterness, and a hint of dark fruit - more nuanced than most non-alcoholic stouts. At under 0.5% ABV and around 75 kcal per 355ml can, it’s also on the leaner side for a stout.

The downsides are primarily logistical. Athletic Brewing is a US import, which means it’s more expensive (around £2.17 per can) and sometimes harder to find consistently. It’s vegan but not certified gluten-free. If you can source it, it’s worth trying - particularly for anyone who drinks craft stouts and finds the Guinness 0.0 too familiar or too safe.

Read our full Athletic Brewing review | IMPOSSIBREW vs Athletic Brewing

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4. IMPOSSIBREW - If You Want Relaxation, Not Just Stout

IMPOSSIBREW isn’t a stout. It’s a lager. So why does it belong in this guide?

Because a lot of people who gravitate towards stout aren’t doing it purely for the taste. Stout has a warming, settling quality - it’s a pub-by-the-fire beer, a wind-down-after-work beer. The ritual of a dark pint is associated with slowing down, switching off, being present. That’s a feeling, not just a flavour.

IMPOSSIBREW targets that feeling directly. Each 440ml can contains 375mg of its Social Blend: L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, Vitamin B1, and Magnesium - a combination of functional ingredients designed to promote genuine calm and reduce cortisol. According to the brand, 84% of customers report feeling relaxed after drinking it. That’s the stout experience - the unwinding, the letting go - without needing a dark beer to deliver it.

If you’re a stout drinker who’s gone alcohol-free and you’re finding that Guinness 0.0 satisfies your palate but doesn’t replicate the full experience of an evening pint, IMPOSSIBREW might fill the gap the taste-only options can’t. It sits at 0.5% ABV, 50 kcal per 330ml, gluten-free, vegan, and available at impossibrew.co.uk, Amazon, Dry Drinker, and Wise Bartender.

Think of it as a companion to this list rather than a competitor. Have a Guinness 0.0 because it tastes like stout. Have an IMPOSSIBREW because you want to actually unwind.

Read our full IMPOSSIBREW review | Shop IMPOSSIBREW

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Full Comparison Table

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How We Chose These Beers

Stout character. For the stout entries, we looked at how convincingly each one delivers the core flavour attributes of the style: roasted malt, coffee/chocolate notes, body, and finish. Guinness 0.0 leads on authenticity; Athletic Brewing leads on craft complexity.

Ingredient quality and transparency. We’ve flagged lactose, gluten, and additives throughout. The AF market has a patchy record on ingredient transparency - brands that are clear about what’s in their product scored higher.

Value for money. Stout drinkers are used to paying slightly more for their pint. We’ve tried to reflect whether each beer justifies its price point.

The full experience. This is where IMPOSSIBREW comes in. Some drinkers want more than a taste approximation - they want the ritual and the relaxation effect. We’ve included the most compelling functional option alongside the best taste-led options.

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A Brief Note on Non-Alcoholic Stout Brewing

Non-alcoholic stout is harder to make well than non-alcoholic lager. Roasted malts carry more bitterness that can become harsh without the softening effect of alcohol. The mouthfeel - one of stout’s defining qualities - relies in part on the body that alcohol contributes. And the nitrogen-dispensed creaminess of a pub Guinness is almost impossible to replicate in a can.

The brands on this list have each found a different answer to these challenges. Guinness leans on cold filtration and their proprietary widget technology. Big Drop leans on lactose for body. Athletic Brewing starts the process from scratch with brewing techniques designed for AF output from the beginning. None of them are perfect, but all of them are genuinely impressive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best non-alcoholic stout in the UK? For taste authenticity, Guinness 0.0 is the benchmark - it’s the most recognisable and widely available option. For craft complexity, Athletic Brewing All Out Stout is the standout. For richness and sweetness, Big Drop Milk Stout. If you want genuine relaxation alongside your dark beer experience, pair any of the above with IMPOSSIBREW’s functional lager.

Does Guinness 0.0 taste like real Guinness? Close, but not identical. The roasted malt and bitterness are there, and it’s closer than most people expect. The main differences are a slightly thinner mouthfeel and a shorter finish. For casual drinking, most people won’t notice much difference. For dedicated Guinness drinkers, it’s convincing but not quite there.

Is non-alcoholic stout good for you? Better than alcoholic stout in terms of calories and next-day function. Non-alcoholic stouts typically contain some fibre from the roasted malt, minimal alcohol, and reasonable calorie counts. They’re not health foods, but they’re a sensible swap. IMPOSSIBREW goes further by adding clinically-studied functional ingredients to the mix.

Why is non-alcoholic stout harder to make than lager? Stout’s defining characteristics - roasted complexity, dark colour, creamy body - all interact with alcohol in ways that are hard to replicate without it. The bitterness from roasted malts can become unpleasantly harsh without alcohol’s softening effect. Body and mouthfeel are also harder to achieve. This is why non-alcoholic lagers proliferated before convincing non-alcoholic stouts appeared.

Can I drink non-alcoholic stout if I’m in recovery? This is a personal decision that depends on your relationship with alcohol and the advice of any healthcare or support professionals you’re working with. If you’re concerned, 0.0% ABV options (Guinness 0.0) are the safest choice on this list. Avoid anything at 0.5% if you’re in early recovery and uncertain about triggers.

What’s the difference between a dry stout and a milk stout? A dry stout (like Guinness) uses roasted barley for its characteristic bitter, coffee-like dryness. A milk stout (like Big Drop’s) adds lactose - milk sugar - for a softer, creamier, slightly sweeter flavour profile. Milk stouts tend to be more approachable for people who find the bitterness of a dry stout too intense.

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The Verdict

If you love stout and want an alcohol-free version that delivers on taste, Guinness 0.0 is the obvious first purchase. It’s authentic, accessible, and fairly priced. If you want more craft complexity, Athletic Brewing All Out Stout is the pick. If you lean towards sweeter, creamier profiles and don’t mind dairy, Big Drop Milk Stout is worth trying.

And if what you actually want is to unwind - to get that settling, fireside feeling that a pint of stout used to give you - IMPOSSIBREW addresses that need more directly than any of the taste-led options can. Different tools for different needs. Often the best answer is both.

Try IMPOSSIBREW today at impossibrew.co.uk - free shipping on orders over £30.

Looking for More Than Just a Beer?

IMPOSSIBREW Enhanced Lager - the alcohol-free beer with 375mg of functional ingredients designed to help you relax.

Shop IMPOSSIBREW