People are drinking less these days. Whether you’re totally sober or one of the many Canadians cutting back, that doesn’t mean you have to wallow in some self‐imposed isolation because your friends want to go to a bar. Just slip some polite venue suggestions into the conversation. And yes, you can still get a beer, it’s not just mocktail‐or‐nothing. It’s all the fun, and none of the morning‐after oh‐my‐god‐why‐is‐the‐sun‐so‐bright agony.
A pint of something brown is the staple of the night out. You might even forget these brews are alcohol‐free.
VILLAGE BREWERY
If you’re living that sober lifestyle, you’ve no doubt spotted CR*FT beers at your local grocery or liquor store. If you want to find out what all the fuss is about, head over to the Village Brewery taproom and grab a pint of CR*FT radler (ABV 0.3%) on tap, $5 for a 16 oz or $6 for the 20 oz. And if radlers aren’t your thing, all of CR*FT’s other brews — including blonde, pale, stout and hazy IPA (ABV 0.3%) — are available in cans for $5. Village Brewery, 5000 12a St. S.E. villagebrewery.com.
TOOL SHED BREWING
This grungy little spot is just a 15-minute walk from the Marlborough C-Train station, so you won’t get stuck with designated driver duty. Though the name of Tool Shed’s on-tap non-alcoholic beer, Zero People Skills (ABV 0.5%), may leave you feeling a little self-conscious hanging with your friends, the true-to-the-real- thing taste will have you shrugging it off in no time. It’s a classic, lightly-hoppy zero-proof, but try a can of their Zero Red Rage (ABV 0.5%) if you want something a little heavier. It’s a red ale that Tool Shed promises you’ll mistake for the real deal. Tool Shed Brewing, 801 30 St. N.E. toolshedbrewing.com.
LAST BEST BREWING
Walk through Last Best’s bright yellow doors and sit down for a brew from its Edmonton-based sister brewpub Campio Brewing Co., called Non the Wiser (ABV 0.5%). This pale ale is fruity and fun, with notes of grapefruit, orange zest and pine. Last Best Brewing & Distilling, 607 11 Ave. S.W., lastbestbrewing.com.
SOUTH BLOCK BARBECUE AND BREWING CO.
Bring your appetite for this drink because the real star of the show is the barbecue. Your best times to go are Monday or Wednesday between 3 and 6 p.m: Monday is $10 ribs and Wednesday is half-off wings (making them $9), and your non-alc brew is only $6.50 a pint with the happy hour deal. Yes, even though your delicious Short Rows Golden Ale (ABV 0.5%) doesn’t have the stuff that’ll make you forget how much money is worth, it’ll still run you $9 any other day of the week. So save this brew for after-work drinks (and eats) with your coworkers. South Block Barbecue and Brewing Co., 2437 4 St. S.W., southblockbbq.com.
THE DANDY BREWING COMPANY
If all you need to satisfy a drink craving is something fizzy, then Dandy has you covered with their DandyPop craft sodas, served on tap in cherry vanilla and sour peach flavours. But if you have gotta have a beer, then fret not: Dandy introduced Zero Pressure (ABV 0%) earlier this year. It’s a hazy IPA that’s a little fruity with a crisp finish, and you’ll feel no pressure from your friends to get a “real drink.” The Dandy Brewing Company, 2003 11 St. S.E., thedandybrewingcompany.com.
BOW RIVER BREWING
Paintings of the Bow River cover the exterior of this brewery, with a rustic entrance that looks like it belongs in Banff. Step through the doors to try out Bow River’s River Runner blonde ale (ABV 0.4%) for $7. This classic flavour is sure to perk you up on a hot day chilling out on their patio. If you like it, hit up the brewery on Wednesday to fill up a whole growler of the stuff for just $10. Bow River Brewing, 5769 4 St. S.E., bowriverbrewing.com.
