However, it’s worth bearing in mind that it’s possible the alcohol content could be higher because labelling rules vary between regions and some countries like the UK allow a small tolerance to what’s shown on the label. It’s slightly syrupy but the body isn’t too bad. It’s highly carbonated but the foam gives it a creamy – dare I say luxurious – feel as it slips down your throat. This all happened around 2003. And that was still a decade after the Bremen-based brewery created this alcohol-free pilsner-style lager in 1993. The smell is sweet, malty and clean with straw and lemon aromas appearing as it warms in the glass. Flavour-wise, it’s a slightly harsh bitterness that hits your tastebuds first and hangs around until well after the sip. There’s none of the sweetness from the aroma, which could have worked nicely with the bitterness.

Sure, it’s not the best alcohol-free lager out there. But it’s a decent option when you’re not drinking alcohol, especially since it’s available in so many pubs and bars. This leaves a beer with only trace amounts of alcohol if any – up to 0.05%. This is less than what occurs naturally in many types of food. This early faith in non-alcoholic beer paid off, in the UK at least. Here it’s a staple in the beer coolers of many a pub up and down the country. It still accounts for more than a third of all alcohol-free sold in the UK.