Erdinger Alkoholfrei Review 2026 - Taste, Isotonic Claims & How It Compares

Erdinger Alkoholfrei is one of the most established alcohol-free beers in the world - and one of the few that markets functional benefits. Erdinger claims its Alkoholfrei is isotonic, with added vitamins B9 and B12. But how do those claims stack up, and how does it compare to IMPOSSIBREW's Social Blend formula?
At a Glance
| IMPOSSIBREW | Erdinger Alkoholfrei | |
|---|---|---|
| ABV | 0.5% | <0.5% |
| Calories (per 100ml) | 17 kcal | 25 kcal |
| Functional Ingredients | ✓ 1,650mg Social Blend per can | B9, B12 vitamins (isotonic claim) |
| L-Theanine | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ashwagandha | ✓ | ✗ |
| Gluten Free | ✓ | ✗ |
| Vegan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Style | Enhanced Lager | Wheat Beer (Weissbier) |
| Price | ~£3.00/440ml | ~£1.95/500ml |
| Relaxation Effect | 72% felt relaxed (own 2024 survey) | Isotonic (recovery, not relaxation) |
What You Need to Know
The product: Germany's most popular AF wheat beer. Brewed under Bavarian Purity Law. Markets itself as isotonic with added B9 and B12 vitamins. Available in Tesco, Sainsbury's, and most UK supermarkets.
The gap: No relaxation-promoting functional ingredients. The "isotonic" claim is for post-exercise recovery, not for replacing the feeling of a drink. Contains gluten.
The isotonic claim: Erdinger markets Alkoholfrei as an isotonic sports recovery drink, with added folic acid (B9) and vitamin B12. This is positioned at athletes and gym-goers - it is about hydration and recovery, not about replacing the relaxation of an alcoholic drink. If you are looking for a post-workout beer, Erdinger has a story. If you are looking to unwind on a Friday evening, the isotonic angle is irrelevant.
Taste: Classic Bavarian wheat beer profile - banana and clove notes, spicy malt, fruity acidity, fine carbonation. It tastes like a proper Weissbier. On flavour alone, Erdinger is a solid product with decades of brewing heritage behind it.
How Does Erdinger Compare to IMPOSSIBREW?
Both Erdinger and IMPOSSIBREW claim functional benefits - but they target completely different needs. Erdinger's B9 and B12 vitamins support immune function and post-exercise recovery. IMPOSSIBREW's Social Blend contains L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, Vitamin B1, and Magnesium - ingredients specifically chosen to promote calm and relaxation.
72% of responses in our own 2024 customer survey (558 of 775) said they felt relaxed. Erdinger's isotonic properties are about rehydration, not relaxation. If you are choosing between the two for a social occasion or an evening wind-down, IMPOSSIBREW is designed for that moment. Erdinger is designed for after your run.
On dietary considerations: IMPOSSIBREW is gluten-free and lower calorie (15 vs 25 kcal/100ml). Erdinger contains gluten from wheat and barley malt.
→ See our full IMPOSSIBREW vs Erdinger comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Erdinger Alkoholfrei really isotonic?
Is Erdinger or IMPOSSIBREW better?
Is Erdinger Alkoholfrei gluten free?
Does Erdinger help you relax?
Where can I buy Erdinger Alkoholfrei in the UK?
Looking for More Than Just a Beer?
IMPOSSIBREW Enhanced Lager - the only alcohol-free beer with 1,650mg per can of functional ingredients designed to help you relax.
Shop IMPOSSIBREWAbout IMPOSSIBREW
IMPOSSIBREW makes alcohol-free beer brewed with Social Blend™ (L‑theanine, ashwagandha, magnesium and vitamin B1), developed with pharmacologists at Durham University, for the calm, relaxed feeling of a drink without the alcohol.
Gold Medal for our Lager at the London Beer Competition, the first alcohol‑free beer to win Gold there. Judges noted citrus, light lemon and tropical aromas with a crisp finish.
Voted the UK's best-tasting alcohol‑free lager at the World Beer Awards (Gold and Country Winner). Enhanced Lager and Enhanced Hazy Pale also each hold a Great Taste Award.
60% fewer calories than a standard 5% lager. Enhanced Lager is gluten-free (below 20ppm) and vegan.
As seen on BBC's Dragons' Den, with more than 100,000 customers.
*Highest TrustScore among alcohol‑free beer brands with over 1,000 Trustpilot reviews, checked 28 October 2026. See the scores.

