IMPOSSIBREW vs Heaps Normal | Which Alcohol-Free Beer Is Better?

IMPOSSIBREW vs Heaps Normal comparison

IMPOSSIBREW and Heaps Normal come from opposite sides of the world. IMPOSSIBREW is a UK-brewed functional lager with 375mg of relaxation-promoting ingredients. Heaps Normal is an Australian craft AF brewery known for the Quiet XPA. Both are independent, both are premium - but they take fundamentally different approaches to what an alcohol-free beer should do.

Side-by-Side Comparison

IMPOSSIBREW Heaps Normal
ABV 0.5% <0.5%
Calories (per 100ml) 15 kcal Not disclosed
Sugar (per 100ml) Less than 1g Not disclosed
Nootropics / Adaptogens ✓ 375mg Social Blend ✗ None
L-Theanine ✓ ✗
Ashwagandha ✓ ✗
Vitamin B1 ✓ ✗
Magnesium ✓ ✗
Gluten Free ✓ ✗ (low gluten)
Vegan ✓ ✓
Relaxation Effect 84% report feeling relaxed No functional benefits
Price (per can) ~£2.50 / 440ml ~£1.50 / 375ml (24-pack only)

Key Differences

Functional Ingredients

IMPOSSIBREW contains 375mg of the Social Blend. Heaps Normal contains water, malt, hops, and yeast - nothing functional. Clean ingredients, but nothing designed to promote relaxation.

Taste and Style

Heaps Normal's Quiet XPA has tropical and citrus aromas with balanced bitterness. IMPOSSIBREW Enhanced Lager has citrus, honey, and hop notes. Different styles - XPA vs lager. Both are unfiltered.

The Relaxation Factor

84% of IMPOSSIBREW customers report feeling relaxed. Heaps Normal provides no relaxation benefit. Their tagline is about normalising not drinking - but normalising it and replacing the feeling are different things.

Availability and Practicality

IMPOSSIBREW ships individual orders across the UK. Heaps Normal requires buying 24-packs (£36 minimum) imported from Australia. You cannot try a single can of Heaps Normal before committing to a full case. IMPOSSIBREW offers starter bundles for first-time buyers.

What Customers Say

IMPOSSIBREW Customers

"Two cans and I feel genuinely unwound. Nothing else in the AF space does this."

- IMPOSSIBREW customer

"Great taste plus actual relaxation. Why would I go back to plain AF beer?"

- IMPOSSIBREW customer

Heaps Normal Customers

"Decent for AF beer but not sure it justifies the shipping wait and case-only purchasing."

- UK consumer

"The lager is forgettable. The XPA is the reason to try this brand."

- Beer forum

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IMPOSSIBREW or Heaps Normal better?
Different products. Heaps Normal makes a decent craft XPA from Australia. IMPOSSIBREW offers functional relaxation from clinically-studied ingredients, brewed in the UK. If you want an Australian XPA, try Heaps Normal. If you want to feel the calm of a real drink, try IMPOSSIBREW.
Can I buy single cans of Heaps Normal?
Not easily. Heaps Normal sells in 24-packs (£36) in the UK. IMPOSSIBREW offers various bundle sizes including starter packs.
Does Heaps Normal have functional ingredients?
No. Four ingredients only: water, malt, hops, yeast. IMPOSSIBREW contains 375mg of L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, Vitamin B1, and Magnesium.
Is Heaps Normal gluten free?
No. Labelled "low gluten" (<200ppm) but not suitable for coeliacs. IMPOSSIBREW is gluten-free.
Which is easier to buy in the UK?
IMPOSSIBREW - UK-brewed, ships quickly, available on Amazon and specialist retailers. Heaps Normal is imported from Australia with longer delivery times.

→ See our full Heaps Normal Review 2026

Ready to Try the Next Generation of Alcohol-Free Beer?

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

Shop IMPOSSIBREW

About 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.

Dr Paul Chazot, Chair of Pharmacology at Durham University, who developed Social Blend with IMPOSSIBREW
2
91/100from the judges

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.

3
GoldWorld Beer Awards

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.

4
17kcalper 100ml

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.